A Journey on Two Wheels: From Diani to Zanzibar

Midnight. January 25.01.25. If my destiny and purpose in this world exists; then I believe bicycles are a part of it. The salty breeze of Ukunda Diani Beach brushed against my skin as I pedaled away from the familiar, the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean fading behind me in the darkness. My goal was to get to Horohoro One Stop Border crossing before two bus companies: Tawakal and Tahmeed - all headed to Dar es Salaam from Mombasa. Yes, that is why I left at that time. You guessed right. The buses can cause a huge line at the Kenya-Tanzania border crossing and I was not having that. My journey—an ambitious ride from Diani to Zanzibar—was not just about distance, but discovery. I had ended my 9-5 contract in December and my two friends had invited me to volunteer at their inaugural mural festival in Zanzibar. Every turn of the pedals carried me deeper into the heart of the Swahili coast, where history, nature, and adventure intertwined. The night patrol cops stationed on their road block posts termed my adventure; insane. But I was determined.

Embukane Liboso

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3/21/2025