How travel across Tanzania built a stronger bond in my marriage

She and her husband have travelled across Tanzania, exploring and getting to know each other as well as the country.

“While riding from Singida to Shinyanga on our bikes, we had a really cool bike adventure. We took a detour to see Lake Kitangiri. The roads towards it were gorgeous and the small villages leading to it looked lovely.”

She talked about one of the many journeys she took across Tanzania. Ms Somji recently took a bike ride across the country with her partner and it was everything she could ever imagine. Their first-ever bike ride from Moshi to Arusha was exhilarating, and they are hoping for many more.

The best part of their ride was the views. She remembers mountain Kilimanjaro looking gorgeous; she could not take her eyes off it, and Mt Kilimanjaro was peeking out from behind the clouds. As they rode through the cold day in Moshi, the two lovebirds kept singing and cracking jokes, enjoying every moment they were blessed to see the natural beauty of Tanzania together. It dampened the mood a little when they saw many dogs run over on the main road.

She wishes drivers were more careful and considerate of the animals’ lives. 

She describes travel and adventure as one of her favourite things to do alongside bad jokes, laughter, and entertaining crazy ideas, and it would take a crazy idea to hop on a bike and ride across the country, but to Ms Somji, travel and adventure are what bound their love, as are cooking together.

“When I was young, I used to always think that when you find a partner, you become one with them. Bollywood didn’t help and that’s where I got my ideas of love from. That is nonsense. You don’t get divided in true love. You don’t lose any part of yourself. You don’t divide; you multiply!” she says. “I hope the adventure we have lasts forever,” she says. 

One of their favourite adventures was going to see the Materuni Waterfalls on a day trip. It turned into going through waterfalls and staying at a gorgeous place called Shimbwe Meadows Guest House. They also got an opportunity to mingle with the local community and explore the village, and they had the most delicious food they could ever remember. Afterward,  they watched the stars around the bonfire and made new friends. “What a lovely experience it was,” she remembers.

Her husband and she have fallen in love with Bongo Fleva, one of Tanzania’s biggest exports to the world, which has garnered admiration from East Africa and the world.

Her favourite song is ‘nani’ by Marioo and Abigail Charms; the song befits her current love life as they seem to never be apart from each other. She is also in love with Indian music, and she constantly wears Indian attire and grooves to Bollywood beats.

When not dancing, they are always on the balcony, admiring the beauty of Arusha with its blossoming flowers and serene surroundings. 

Ms Somji also visited the Cultural Heritage, which is a must-visit while in Arusha. “I can’t believe it took me years to go there,” she wonders. “The Arusha Cultural Heritage might look like a tourist spot with extremely expensive curiosities to buy, but trust me, it is so much more than that,” she adds.

The art left Ms Somji dumbfounded, from family trees to masks and the amazing mixed-media art and paintings by locally acclaimed painters who have showcased their work internationally. She saw skillfully woven baskets with all sorts of carvings. “You will find everything here! The display is so beautiful,” she said.

The whole Cultural Heritage Centre building encompasses and celebrates African art and its diversity. “I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this, and I know this will not be the last time I visit there,” she promised.

Ms Masuma, a social media sensation, has always posted her adventures on Instagram to the delight of many of her friends. She recently took a trip to Serengeti with friends, and the trip was amazing. They even did a TikTok dance.

Ms Masuma’s Instagram page, @masuma_Somji, has rapidly grown, wishing women privately to send her messages of encouragement about her love life and as a social media influencer that has fuelled her passion for travel and adventure. She has posted pictures and videos of her doing yoga sessions, and she attributes that to keeping her mind and body healthy as well as calming her whenever she feels stressed.

“In yoga, with each breath, you inhale positive energy, and with every exhale, you let go of any fear inhibitions that are stopping you from achieving your best. While doing any pose, if you keep this in mind, you will not only go much deeper but will also be able to start your day with a newer look for yourself! You are the best version of yourself today!” she insists.