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Lemon Spa
Haile Selassie Rd.
(Adjacent to George & Dragon)
Masaki, Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255-(754)-814 531
+255-(752)-220 120
Email: lemonzpa@yahoo.com
(Click here for Lemon Spa menu.)
In the third post of my “Be My Guide to Your East African City” series, I asked about your favorite local spa. I also mentioned that it dawned on me that I had never been to a spa before, having always received my beauty and body treatments in beauty salons or fitness facilities. Shortly after publishing that post, I was graciously invited by Ramona Kashmiri, the owner of Lemon Spa in Masaki, Dar es Salaam, to visit her spa for the first time and sample some of the treatments offered there. Read the rest of this entry »
Groovy Cup
Funkys
Plot 1397 Mwayo Street (click to see map)
Masaki, Dar es Salaam
Open every day 10.30 a.m.–9.30 p.m.
Tel: +255 784 786 688 · Email: groovycup@gmail.com
I don’t have any children…which is why when I first noticed Funkys in Masaki (despite its looking very interesting), I knew I’d probably never visit it much. Then one day, I received an email from a reader telling me about her café, Groovy Cup, located within Funkys. Read the rest of this entry »
The event that I have most enjoyed attending in the two years I have lived in Dar es Salaam is, without a doubt, the Visa 2 Dance Contemporary Dance Festival. If you live in Dar es Salaam and have never heard of Visa 2 Dance (like a friend recently told me despite his having lived in Dar es Salaam for the past eight years), then you are who I write this post for. I won’t be roundabout; I’ll get right to it.
What is the Visa 2 Dance Contemporary Dance Festival? Visa 2 Dance is an annual, international contemporary dance festival that takes place every October in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (though the 2010 edition did also include activities in Zanzibar). In the words of its organizers (taken from the Visa 2 Dance website): Read the rest of this entry »
For as long as I can remember, I have always been a great lover of kanga, the East African cotton fabric with bold designs, bright colors, and a Swahili saying, aphorism, or slogan printed along its bottom border. If you’ve ever seen children wearing kanga wrapped around their bodies and tied behind their necks, then you have a perfect picture of me as a child. If you were to drop by my house unannounced today and I didn’t have a chance to run and change into something “decent”, then chances are that you would find me in a kanga, though this time worn in the kifua style (wrapped around my body, passing under my arms), rather than tied behind my neck. Why? Read the rest of this entry »
I love to hear from you, dear reader. I love it even more when, in your comments, you tell me about a product, service, or establishment in East Africa that I know little about but that hopefully, I can try for myself one day. Last month, I was pleased to receive my share of such comments. In case you missed them, allow me to share a few of these with you.
Early in July, I received a comment from Timmy, who had recently purchased a Toyota Vitz. Here’s what he had to say about his new car: Read the rest of this entry »
Photo Credit: simbadeo.wordpress.com
I first became aware of Congo Street in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam on a shopping trip with my Mom, who was looking for granite slabs for her new kitchen countertop. Luckily, on that first foray into hectic Kariakoo (Wikipedia link), I was pleasantly shielded from the chaos because I was in an air-conditioned car. I really wasn’t paying attention for the most part – my main goal that day was to hang out with my Mom – but when we passed a street with hot clothes hanging from every storefront, my attention was aroused. Read the rest of this entry »
Kunduchi Beach Hotel & Resort
1 Mtongani
Kunduchi, Dar es Salaam
Website: www.kunduchi.com
When people talk about going to the beach in Dar es Salaam, very often they mean heading out to Mbezi. I like hanging out in Mbezi, I really do, but sometimes I am in the mood for something a little more serene, far from the crowded, noisy beaches that are the norm in Mbezi, especially over the weekend. When I am in this mood, I head out a little further north to Kunduchi beach, more specifically, I head out to Kunduchi Beach Hotel. Read the rest of this entry »
Anghiti
(New) Bagamoyo Road
Tel: +255-(22)-2701806/7
Email: anghiti@yahoo.com
Open 7 days a week / Lunch: 12.00 – 14.30 / Dinner: 18.00 – 22.30
On (New) Bagamoyo Road between Morocco and Victoria, lies Anghiti, a restaurant that serves great Indian food. Read the rest of this entry »
When did you last send a fax? For me, it’s been 2 years and 5 months. The occasion? I was on a long visit to Dar es Salaam and desperately needed to fax something to Nairobi. I didn’t expect it to be difficult, but for many days, every internet café I tried to send a fax from either had a problem with its fax line or fax machine. Eventually, a resident of Dar es Salaam who often sends faxes decided to take me out of my misery Read the rest of this entry »
Karambezi Café
Sea Cliff Hotel
Toure Drive, Msasani Peninsula, Dar es Salaam
Tel:+255 (78) 704 4555 / +255 (71) 248 0574
Email: info@karambezi.com
Website: www.karambezi.com
Close your eyes. Envision yourself in Dar es Salaam seated on a restaurant terrace at the edge of a cliff. Far below, for as far as you can see, is water – the Indian Ocean – with a couple of ships sailing in the distance. A refreshing breeze blows gently around you. The day is warm and sunny. Have any idea where you might be? If I did a good job describing what I had in mind, then you’d correctly guess that you are at Karambezi Café at Sea Cliff Hotel in Masaki. Read the rest of this entry »
+255-22-2844212.
Or +255-22-2844371 / 2844372 / 2844224 according to the airport’s website.
Why am I telling you this? Because over the holidays, I searched for this number tirelessly to no avail. I searched the white pages of the telephone directory. I searched the yellow pages. I even searched the Internet and came up with nothing (well at least nothing that actually worked). And then… Read the rest of this entry »
Cine Club
Off Old Bagamoyo Road
Mikocheni (Warioba), Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255-(0)754-374436/+255-(0)715-374436
In November 2007, when I first visited Dar es Salaam with an eye towards moving here, I remember often hearing mention of a place called Cine Club. At times, this would be while people were giving directions (where they would use Cine Club as a marker); at other times, it would be in relation to concerts that had taken place in the past and had been held there. My curiosity was piqued after hearing Cine Club mentioned so many times. What was this place where so many concerts were held? Also, why did everyone pronounce Cine Club as though it were spelled Sign Club instead of si-NAY Club, which is how it looked like it should be pronounced to me? Read the rest of this entry »
Mlimani City Mall
Sam Nujoma Rd.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
According to the plaque at its main entrance, Dar es Salaam’s Mlimani City Mall turned 3 years old last Saturday (Nov.14). Happy Belated Birthday, Mlimani City – this one is for you!
For those of you who have never heard of Mlimani City, allow me to tell you simply that it is the mall in Dar es Salaam. Although Dar es Salaam has many other shopping centers, none other can truly be elevated to the status of a mall. Housed all on one floor, Mlimani City Mall is smaller than many other malls found in neighboring countries, such as The Village Market in Kenya or Garden City in Uganda, but still, this mall packs a punch!
Allow me to give you an idea of what can be found at Mlimani City. Read the rest of this entry »
Photo by Mike Baird
Oops! I think it’s time I step up my exercise routine a bit – my leisurely daily swim no longer seems to be working for me. 
Still, in this hot Dar es Salaam weather (which I love), I intend to continue to look to water for exercise. How about I take my exercise routine from the swimming pool to the beach?
What? You’ve never considered that before? Why? With the beautiful blue waters, white sands, and calming horizon of the Indian Ocean nearby, why not exercise in a manner that is not only good for your body but also refreshing to your mind and spirit?
Could it be that you just have no idea how to carry out an effective exercise regimen at the beach? Well, fret no more. Read the rest of this entry »
I can still remember the day when I first became aware of Mr Price’s existence. The year was 2007; I was driving along Ngong Road in Nairobi near Prestige Plaza. I looked up to see a huge banner announcing the opening of a home furnishing store called Mr. Price Home at the Westgate Centre in Westlands. I found the idea of a home furnishing store interesting and made a mental note to check out the store the next time I was in its vicinity. Read the rest of this entry »
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In the comment sections of this and this post, some readers and I shared our views on the quality of cocktails served at some of Nairobi‘s most popular bars and nightclubs. In this discussion, Mercury Lounge and Casablanca were named as establishments that were thought to serve good cocktails, while Hidden Agenda and Soho’s came up as places to avoid when in search of a good cocktail. Read the rest of this entry »
Update (July 9, 2011): The Joint has now become Club Rockerz.
The Joint
Mbezi, Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255-(715)-854980/+255-(777)-400800
Website:www.TheJointTZ.com
It’s official: Dar es Salaam now has a new nightclub! Last Saturday, March 14, saw the Grand Opening of The Joint, a nightclub recently opened in Mbezi (near Tankibovu), on the former premises of the now defunct Club Happens. Judging from what The Joint had to offer on Saturday night, we, party-lovers, are in for a real treat with this new nightclub, especially when it comes to music. Read the rest of this entry »
When I “pack” my handbag before I go out everyday, I recite a list of items that I want to be sure not to forget. Without going into too many details, my current recitation goes: phone, money, swipe…(insert a few more couple of items here that include a small tin of petroleum jelly )… mints, camera. I am sure you can understand why I carry items such as my phone and money, but an item like mints may baffle you a bit (as it has people who’ve seen me put my bag together in the past). Read the rest of this entry »
Of all the drinks in the world, I must admit: I am partial to gin. There’s nothing quite like a well mixed G&T (gin and tonic – especially if the gin in question is Gordon’s Special Dry London Gin), and this my family knows well (trust me, I tell you this for a reason ).
The story of this post took place about a year ago, in Dar-es-Salaam, where I’d gone to visit my parents. My father, knowing my love for gin, often makes sure to have a bottle available for me when I first arrive to visit. It’s a little father-daughter thing that we have going.
On this particular visit, I was going home after quite a trying time in my life, and on top of visiting my parents would also be finding two of my three siblings at home (yippee!). I was really looking forward to going home, and as the day on which I traveled progressed (I was going to arrive home in the evening), I began to look forward too to the Gordon’s G&T that my father would surely have waiting for me. Read the rest of this entry »
Mediterraneo Hotel & Restaurant
Kawe Beach, Dar-es-Salaam
Tel: +255 22 2618359
Website: www.mediterraneotanzania.com
It seems to me as though there might be a restaurant called Mediterraneo in each of the East African capital cities. In Nairobi, there are the two wonderful Mediterraneos in Westlands and at The Junction. In Dar-es-Salaam, there is the beautiful Mediterraneo in Kawe, which will be the subject of today’s post. In Kampala, I was recently told of a Mediterraneo Restaurant that someone was calling one of the best restaurants in the city. The one thing, it seems, that all these Meditteranoes share in common, other than their name, is that each is an outstanding restaurant with good food and great ambiance. Could it be true then that a name does indeed bewitch its owner, as is often said in my mother tongue? Read the rest of this entry »
Sweet Eazy Restaurant and Lounge
Oysterbay Shopping Mall
Tel: +255-(755)-754074
Website: www.sweeteazy.com
I was born in the oceanside city of Dar-es-Salaam and lived there until I was two. Until my parents moved back to Dar-es-Salaam, early last year, my knowledge and experience of Dar-es-Salaam was very limited. I had been back a couple of times over the years, but most of my visits to Dar-es-Salaam were spent doing the relatives’ tour (I am sure some of you know what I mean by that). Still, in the past one and some years of visiting Dar-es-Salaam regularly, I have been making up for lost time. Although, I can’t begin to say that I know Dar-es-Salaam well, I can now confidently say that I know Dar-es-Salaam somewhat. Today, I would like to tell you about a restaurant that I frequent often when I am in Dar-es-Salaam. This restaurant, Sweet Eazy, serves great food in a beautiful, breezy environment.
I first visited Sweet Eazy (located in Oysterbay) after complaining to a friend that I had been in Dar-es-Salaam for over a week and still hadn’t had good seafood. I LOVE seafood. When I am in a waterside city, I see no reason to eat anything else because seafood in such cities is usually both very fresh and inexpensive. On my first visit to Dar-es-Salaam last year, I kept going to eat out but could never find good seafood. Sometimes, it just wasn’t on the menu. At other times, it would be on the menu but not available. After a week of this, I was going nuts! My friend, a gastronome like me, decided to take me out of my misery and suggested that we meet that night for dinner at Sweet Eazy. Read the rest of this entry »
**Update (Sept. 13, 2011): The Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski is now Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro.
The Palm Restaurant
Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski
Tel: +255-22-2131111
Of all the hotels in the world, one of my current favorites is the Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski in Dar-es-Salaam. No matter how many times I go there, I never tire of its luxurious elegance. I first visited The Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski in March 2007, though I hear it was first re-opened as a Kempinski Hotel in August 2005. Since my first visit to the hotel, I have been on a delightful journey of discovery of the Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski that is still far from over. So far, I absolutely love their Level 8 Summit Bar and their South East Asian restaurant, aptly named The Oriental Restaurant . This post, though, is about neither of these gems. Rather, today I would like to tell you about The Palm Restaurant, their ground floor restaurant, which was the first eatery that I experienced at Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski. Read the rest of this entry »
Guess what, readers? Finally, Furahi-day has rolled around again! In case you don’t know, Furahi means “be happy” in Kiswahili. Doesn’t the thought of Friday simply fill you with happiness? Believe it or not, the weekend is here again. What are you going to do to celebrate its advent?
Today, I am planning to meet up with a childhood friend who tells me that there is a club night at Club Malaika in Dar-es-Salaam. Read the rest of this entry »
Update (Jul 22, 2009): The next Makutano Junction 2009 will be held on Fri. Nov. 27 and Sat. Nov. 28 (10am – 6pm) at Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam. For further information – both for participants and attendees – please contact:
Rachel Kessi
Tel: +255-784-782770
Email: Mawazogallery@gmail.com
The entrance fee will be 3,000 TSh for those over 18, while minors enter free!
I finally made it to the Makutano Arts & Crafts Fair last Sunday, late in the afternoon. For a fee of 3000 TSh, I had a great afternoon discovering Tanzanian arts and crafts. I was very impressed by what I saw!
Unlike many craft exhibitions that I have seen in East Africa, where most of the crafts are Kenyan imitations or imports, Makutano truly showcased Tanzanian goods. I saw furniture built from dhow driftwood, as well as art influenced by Zanzibar’s distinct culture. There were myriad creations from kanga, as well as from other local materials such as coconut wood. Read the rest of this entry »
Update (Jul 22, 2009): The next Makutano Junction 2009 will be held on Fri. Nov. 27 and Sat. Nov. 28 (10 am – 6pm) at Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam. For further information – both for participants and attendees – please contact:
Rachel Kessi
Tel: +255-784-782770
Email: Mawazogallery@gmail.com
The entrance fee will be 3,000 TSh for those over 18, while minors enter free!
Makutano, a centre for Tanzanian art, organizes a bi-annual arts and crafts fair to bring together artists from all over Tanzania to sell and exhibit their crafts. Read the rest of this entry »
