The splendour of nature so soothing to the eye. Taste buds awakened by fruits plucked from mango and banana trees and fresh fish netted from the Indian ocean, Imagine the rhythms of waves and chorus of birdsong become a lullaby
Can you imagine a moon lit night enhanced by the flicker of kerosene lanterns and a bedtime story read by solar lamps. There is no electricity and no internet conn
ection. Most of you are terrified by the thought but for some it is a wish come true to detox from traffic, noise pollution, supermarket packaged foods and the stress of our over planned over processed city life. Some of us have an overwhelming desire for a reality check as we venture out into the world only to be whisked from the airport to a walled compound of five star treatment from staff whose only wardrobe perhaps is the uniform that has been provided and our experience of the culture is from a guided tour preplanned to bypass the villages of the locals….. and on we go from one luxurious vacuous holiday to the next with thwarted expectations and no” real “experience. Nane pronounced Nahnay which means 8 in Swahili is a house in Tanzania. It was built from coral rock dug out from the very earth it stands on. It is by no means quilted luxury but the view of 4km of white sands on kasa beach, to be dazzled by the colour of butterflies, the smell of fresh cotton sheets that have aired on the washing line or the feeling of a cool shower after a hot day cannot compare. Nane is linked to the Norwegian leisure group that have a lodge just seven minutes walk called Kasa beach hideaway, whose staff live locally and watch over nane. The style is in keeping with the natural environment. You may see a car but the local villagers walk or bicycle you will meet friendly neighbors on the lane who may call out greetings as you pass by and are happily amused by the phrases you have learned. Swahili life in this region which is two hours away from Dares salaam airport is like stepping back into the 50s simple ,basic, courteous traditional and time is for each other . You will not find tinkers , hustlers or traders. The fisherman the baker and the grocer will come to you as there are no shops close by. If you wish to write that novel you have been dreaming of or you just want to sleep for a week. Nane will take you back to nature and remind you where you came from.
