Tanzania

[ValleyAquatics]

I'm leaving for JFK airport now and will update when I arrive in Dar Es Salaam on Friday.

[AlishanAS]

Safe trip Steve.

[emartin]

Safe trip Steve.
Seconded.

[exasperatus2002]

God speed.

[Artie]

I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip & seeing some photographs !!!!!!!!:rainbow: ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!!!

[fischfan13]

Steve, be safe.

[Afreakin]

Have a safe trip. Enjoy!

[the_watcher]

be safe, good luck and have fun

[zebra7]

Good luck Steve, be safe !!

[Longstocking]

Steve..have the time of your life !

[ValleyAquatics]

i landed in dar es salaam late last night. the country is beautiful. i will update with more information very soon

[fischfan13]

Great news, Steve!
We will be thinking about you at Julies today.

[ValleyAquatics]

I hope you guys have a great time at Julies today.

I'm sorry I missed it.

The food here is very good, but I would have enjoyed spending time with you all there.

[ValleyAquatics]

Here's a few pictures in Dar Es Salaam

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/DaressalaamArrival039.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/DaressalaamArrival041.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/DaressalaamArrival048.jpg

[fischfan13]

Get some sun block for that head...LOL.
BTW, you need to be closer to water in order to get fish...just a hint.

[ValleyAquatics]

Don't worry..........Lake pictures will come.

[Longstocking]

I'm so envious Steve !

It's stunning there....

[the_watcher]

Kind of looks like the hills in Jamacia.... Get the screen block and the bug repellant, if in fact it works there....

[Julie]

STEVE!!

Looks amazing. I do so envy you going there to live your dream. Keep the pics coming!!

oh, and the fish, too, when you follow Bill's hint :becky:

[nick a]

Looks like you're on an adventure of a lifetime!

[ValleyAquatics]

Adventure indeed.

Very beautiful country but also very poor.

Alot of construction is going on right now in Dar.

Most roads are dirt roads and they are either very rocky with lots of pot holes or they have speed bumps in them. They take a mound of dirt and put it in the road so cars and trucks won't speed through smaller roads in the town.

I have been advised to speak more about here, but really don't know what top say........

If anyone has something they would like me to speak about then I would be more then happy to answer what I see.

Temps are warm and dry so you don't sweat much.

It's funny, because at 6pm the sun is down here........in PA at this time there is still light now.

Their are taxis here that are like small motorcycles with a carriage on the back.

Buses are packed full of people going to and from there home.

[AlishanAS]

Steve - how are the accommodations - hotel room, etc?

How are you being looked upon as a foreigner/American? Are the people friendly, suspicious?

What is the food like? Any type of bizarre foods ALA Andrew Zimmern?
I know Bill will want that question answered :)

[dbondi]

Steve how long will you be staying there?
Also isnt tanzania south of the equator? that could be the reason for such short days...it might be "winter" there ^.^

[ValleyAquatics]

Steve - how are the accommodations - hotel room, etc?

How are you being looked upon as a foreigner/American? Are the people friendly, suspicious?

What is the food like? Any type of bizarre foods ALA Andrew Zimmern?
I know Bill will want that question answered :)


Accomodations are very nice. They have houses and hotels here that are beautiful.

Yes, people look upon me differently I would say, but they are all very friendly. This is a peaceful country and very nice people. They are extremely respectful to visitors.

No Bizarre foods.......hahaha food here is wonderful. Usual dinner is Fish with rice and beans, or fish with maize.
Fruit and vegetables are normally given with dinner.

Breakfast is also great, but I usually enjoy just some coffee.

[ValleyAquatics]

Steve how long will you be staying there?
Also isnt tanzania south of the equator? that could be the reason for such short days...it might be "winter" there ^.^


Staying here for 3 months is the plan, but we will see.

If I am able to get things done sooner then I will come home.......if not then 3 months.

I think you are right about the winter dbondi.......days are shorter here.

Still you can't beat the beautiful weather. Hot dry days and cool night. No air conditioning is needed. :becky:

[triscuit]

How are the language barriers? Do a lot of locals speak English or French? After you get there, is food/lodging/transportation expensive?

[Julie]

They are extremely respectful to visitors.



Geez, from that pic of you... I'm sure you are an impressive figure to them... and they'd better be respectful!! :becky:

Nice to get these tidbits of news/observations! Wish I were there, too!

[ValleyAquatics]

How are the language barriers? Do a lot of locals speak English or French? After you get there, is food/lodging/transportation expensive?


Yes, their are language barriers.....but it really depends on who you speak with.
Their is not much french here from what I hear.....thats more Burundi.

I spoke with divers again today to find out information and they understand me completely. I just need to speak slowly sometimes or explain what I'm trying to learn in different terms. They speak English well enough for me to understand.

No things are relatively cheap here once you arrive. Don't get me wrong though. If you want to spend money you can. :becky:

[ValleyAquatics]

Geez, from that pic of you... I'm sure you are an impressive figure to them... and they'd better be respectful!! :becky:

Nice to get these tidbits of news/observations! Wish I were there, too!

You should come next time......or better yet we should plan an ECC trip to the Lake for a week.

[Longstocking]

what are you specifically asking of the divers?

[daniel4832]

You should come next time......or better yet we should plan an ECC trip to the Lake for a week.

Steve,
That would be a dream come true!!!
Thanks,
Daniel

[emartin]

Steve what is the area like? Is it all small towns? Are you close to rural areas?

In other words, I know you said it is mostly dirt roads but is it one town every few miles or a large collection of them?

I can't wait to see more pics...

~Ed

[the_watcher]

Steve a trip to the lake for a week , Now your talking,,,,
I'll start saving my $$$ now.... Maybe Sarah will teach me how to Scuba LOL ..... ( I was considering taking lesson on Saturdays.....)... Send photos of Hotel, Cabs, Restaurants , and of course the lake area.....
Have fun , be safe
Frank

[fischfan13]

You should come next time......or better yet we should plan an ECC trip to the Lake for a week.

LMAO, now there'sa Road Trip.
Steve, BTW, you didn't miss much at Julie's.
We only had burgers, dogs, sausage, shrimps, veggie and shrimp kabobs, a thousand desserts and a lot of cold beer...that's all.:becky:

[ValleyAquatics]

what are you specifically asking of the divers?

Locations of certain fish and how easy and available certain fish are.

What I will share is that I asked them about the Real Lufubu.....this is a fish that I have wanted wild in the USA for sometime.

I asked if they knew about it and if things I heard were true.

They do exist, but are extremely difficult to get.

[ValleyAquatics]

Steve what is the area like? Is it all small towns? Are you close to rural areas?

In other words, I know you said it is mostly dirt roads but is it one town every few miles or a large collection of them?

I can't wait to see more pics...

~Ed


Well in Dar Es Salaam it's 1 big city......but it's not so simple as that. They have different small areas. So they have 1 city, but small establishments every quarter mile or so.....maybe closer.

What I do know is traffic is like NYC........ JAM PACKED

[ValleyAquatics]

LMAO, now there'sa Road Trip.
Steve, BTW, you didn't miss much at Julie's.
We only had burgers, dogs, sausage, shrimps, veggie and shrimp kabobs, a thousand desserts and a lot of cold beer...that's all.:becky:


Hahaha man now your just rubbing it in.

Plus I missed the company. The food would have been great but the company would have been better.

[zcfish]

No Bizarre foods.......hahaha food here is wonderful. Usual dinner is Fish with rice and beans, or fish with maize.


i see. what kind of fish are we talking about here?

[Heyguy74]

You should come next time......or better yet we should plan an ECC trip to the Lake for a week.

Count me in if there is ever an ECC trip there.


Do you plan on staying in Tanzania to do all of your collecting, or do you plan to travel around the lake. Im guessing the DRC is off limits but Zambia and Burundi are pretty stable countries. Any plans to visit the national parks there. Like Serengeti NP. also there mt Kilimanjaro as well.

[ValleyAquatics]

i see. what kind of fish are we talking about here?

Usually Ocean fish are eaten in Dar, but tonight I ate a Bathybates type from the Lake.

[ValleyAquatics]

Count me in if there is ever an ECC trip there.


Do you plan on staying in Tanzania to do all of your collecting, or do you plan to travel around the lake. Im guessing the DRC is off limits but Zambia and Burundi are pretty stable countries. Any plans to visit the national parks there. Like Serengeti NP. also there mt Kilimanjaro as well.


I hope to do collections all over. Very doubtful I will go to Burundi.......just not cost effective.

Tanzania is easiest but Zambia I would like to do as well as Congo. Can't try to do it all at once so really not concerned with other areas. I need to export the fish I have and am collecting now first.

[Longstocking]

Asking about Petrochromis at all? And if so what have you figured/found out.

Also... mind asking about midnight Julidochromis? What the deal is about them??

[ValleyAquatics]

Asking about Petrochromis at all? And if so what have you figured/found out.

Also... mind asking about midnight Julidochromis? What the deal is about them??

Post a picture of the Midnight Julidochromis so I know what your talking about.

[Longstocking]

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=2146

[ValleyAquatics]

Got it.

I will see what I can find out.

[ValleyAquatics]

Few things happened.

Helped to butcher a goat for a wedding that was going on here.

Saw first hand how they kill and skin and prepare the goat and large meal for a party.

Helped prepare and load a truck for lickup of fish from the lake also. Loaded large tanks into what is about an 18' flat bed truck. Has side rails and a tarp that goes over the whole truck.

Big issue is getting the fish picked up from the lake and transported back to dar to the fish house.
It's very difficult. I think if everyone knew how hard it was, people would complain less about the price of fish.
Survival rate is still ok, but losses of fish happens.......

It's hot here today. There is a nice breeze that is coming through, but very warm.

The sun beats down on you.

If you come make sure sunscreen is plentiful.

No big problems with mosquitoe's. I have been bit a few times, but haven't gotten sick. Malaria medicine is a must.

I use bug spray sometimes, but when I spray alot on my skin directly, I don't feel good. I have started to wear long pants more, so I only spray my arms and wipe some bug spray on my face.

I was bothered the other night with a mosqito buzzing in my ear. I don't have a net over my bed which people say to do, but I just sprayed myself a little and I wasn't bothered anymore. :heh:


hmmmmmmm don't know what else.

[emartin]

Oh, do they speak English, Portugeuse, French, or a Native Language there?

How fluent is their English if that is their 2nd language?

How are you enjoying yourself, despite it being mostly business? I'm sure you are planning a few days off here and there...at least eventually!

~Ed

[ValleyAquatics]

Oh, do they speak English, Portugeuse, French, or a Native Language there?

How fluent is their English if that is their 2nd language?

How are you enjoying yourself, despite it being mostly business? I'm sure you are planning a few days off here and there...at least eventually!

~Ed


Swahili is there language.

Alot can speak english as there second language.

Burundi is French.

[MPerez865]

More PICS STEVE.... More PICS:becky:

Any pics of some fronts/gibbs. I will be awaiting them. When you get a chance, pics of the diving and such... maybe holding tank. The works if its allowed.

Thanks buddy,
mike

[Julie]

Steve, people will complain about the price no matter what! Especially when the Asians are willing to pay the bigger bucks... drives up the prices worldwide. Luckily they don't seem to be as interested in African cichlids as they are in SA rays right now.

Thanks for all the updates, I'm sure it's becoming an everyday place to you now, but it's fascinating to us back here!

And I second it... more pics, please!!!

*hugs*

[Julie]

Steve, people will complain about the price no matter what! Especially when the Asians are willing to pay the bigger bucks... drives up the prices worldwide. Luckily they don't seem to be as interested in African cichlids as they are in SA rays right now.

*hugs*

A friend of mine pm'd me last night, indicating that some people took offense at this post of mine from yesterday. I want to make it clear that I was not casting any aspersions on anyone other than people in the US in general. What I unclearly was pointing out that the Asian market (which I have alot more to do with with rays and other SA fish) is willing to pay for the fish they want. The general US population is not. I like people who know what they want, and are willing to pay for it. I also understand people who for whatever reason can't spend the money, and wait for others to breed the fish to help bring the prices down.

Again, I'm very sorry to have caused anyone offense, please understand that it was totally unintentional, my point was actually the exact opposite.

[phillyofish]

Steve,
what kind of wildlife do you see around the area?
how is the food there?

[fischfan13]

A friend of mine pm'd me last night, indicating that some people took offense at this post of mine from yesterday. I want to make it clear that I was not casting any aspersions on anyone other than people in the US in general. What I unclearly was pointing out that the Asian market (which I have alot more to do with with rays and other SA fish) is willing to pay for the fish they want. The general US population is not. I like people who know what they want, and are willing to pay for it. I also understand people who for whatever reason can't spend the money, and wait for others to breed the fish to help bring the prices down.

Again, I'm very sorry to have caused anyone offense, please understand that it was totally unintentional, my point was actually the exact opposite.

I guess I must have missed something myself.
When I read Julie's post I took it as Asia is spending more money on fish than we are...nothing else.
If anyone feels slighted please contact me, as I would like to know what was said that could have offended anyone. Julie is a GREAT friend of mine and I feel that she has done nothing wrong.
Again, to those offended, please contact me so that I can understand what was said that caused any grief.

Bill

[emartin]

I don't see how it could offend anyone...maybe to those who aren't familiar with the aquarium fish market. Like Julie said, the Asian market particularly Japan are willing to pay extra money for fish which keeps the prices up higher than the general North American or maybe even European markets would generally pay.

I don't know, maybe Japan and other parts of Asia have more serious hobbyists than we do for buying wildcaught fish?

~Ed

[emartin]

Anyway going back to the topic,

Just out of curiosity Steve, when is your goal for starting exportation of fish to the United States?

~Ed

[ValleyAquatics]

Dar

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/Kigoma350.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/Kigoma378.jpg


http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/Kigoma384.jpg


Gasoline is 1450 T shillings per liter..........thats a little over 1usd per liter

[ValleyAquatics]

Anyway going back to the topic,

Just out of curiosity Steve, when is your goal for starting exportation of fish to the United States?

~Ed

I have already exported to the USA.

[ValleyAquatics]

Fruit and vegetable market

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/Kigoma555.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/Kigoma556.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z131/Stas_07/Kigoma557.jpg

[ValleyAquatics]

Funny story.........

When I was getting ready to leave Dar Es Salaam and on my way to the airport. Traffic was bad.........as usual. We were stuck in traffic and I was watching people on the sidewalk selling items.

In the street was a gasoline tanker sitting. 2 men walked up to the tanker with plastic bags, opened the valve and took gasoline out. :heh:

I was to late in getting a picture of it, but at the time it was humorous to me. At first I was wondering how they got the valve open without spilling everything. Then I was watching the man in the passanger seat sticking his head out of the truck watching the men do this. I asked my friend "isn't he going to do anything?" My friend laughed and said "their doing him a favor.........he has less gas to empty when he gets to the station."


It was funny at the time.........I guess you had to be there but that was something that I remember that was amusing.

[fischfan13]

Steve, personally I am happy that you are home and safe.
BTW, your "little" friend who owns a lfs in Texas was suppose to "visit" me at this past Saturdays auction...I guess he couldn't make it.:heh:

[emartin]

LOL! And doesn't gasoline usually burn/dissolve common plastic anyway?

[ValleyAquatics]

LOL! And doesn't gasoline usually burn/dissolve common plastic anyway?


Hahaha thats the same thing my wife said. I have no idea how they did it..........maybe really strong plastic. :heh:

Either way it was funny to watch.