The Truth Is A Wicked Master …

… An Evil Servant, and a Benign Emancipator.

Africa is unsafe.  The people are starving.  Corruption is rampant.  It is populated by Terrorists, Pirates, and Guerrillas.  A significant portion of the population is HIV positive.  An Ebola outbreak is an ever present threat.  Racial tensions are high.  It is headed toward collapse as population size will reach 5 billion by the end of the century.

These are the stories we here about Africa. Unfortunately, there is truth in all of them and they make us afraid of an entire continent.  They enslave us to our fear. I booked my Africa trip through a travel agent because I was afraid to encounter Africa unchaperoned. For people who want to divide the world into us an them, these truths can serve their agenda.

But these isolated truths belie my experiences here. I have found Africa to be filled with beautiful sunsets, colorful reefs, and fascinating animals.  I have found the people to be hard working, community oriented, and filled with the same dreams as people everywhere.  In the less populated areas, passing boats and cars are greeted with a smile and a wave.  Like a person, a continent is not defined by its sins.  The truth will set you free!

My hotel, Fundu Lagoon. Pemba, Tanzania.

King Fisher at Fundu Lagoon

Tanzanian reef

Tanzanian corals

Closeup of a hard coral

Closeup of a soft coral

Closeup of a tube worm in black and white

Flatworm

Flatworm

Flatworm

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

Nudibranch Eggs

Anemone?

Feather Star on Gorgonian at night

Hermit Crab at night

Shrimp

Sea Horse

Cow Fish

Leaf Fish

Scorpion Fish

Living the hard life between dives 🙂

When you’re relaxing in paradise make sure to grab a cold bottle of Stoney Tangawizi! The preferred drink of stoned Weezer fans everywhere.

A quick collection of shells from the.

A fisherman near Pemba Island.

Fisherman at sunset near Fundu Lagoon.