Exotic Zanzibar

Four days out on the infamous spice island. What a treat from camping life. We forfieted a day in Zambia to spend an extra one on the beach. Well worth it. Our first stop was a hostel in Stone Town – the original city on the island, made of – you guessed it – stone, and with a strong arabic influence. Lots of narrow alleys, shops, markets and seafood. Very nice.

We were whisked away on a Spice Tour starting around town learning about the slave trade and seeing the few sights then out to a spice plantation for a walk. I know it doesn’t sound too exciting but it was really cool. Every 10 meters we stopped to pick or cut plants and smell the aromas – fresh cinnamon bark, vanilla, cardamon, cloves etc. We also discovered lots of the tropical fruits with pineapples growing all around, mango trees, paw paw, and watching guys climb massive coconut trees with only a rope tied between their legs. Fresh coconut is the best as well. It all ended with a feast of fruit and us receiving new attire made from palm leaves – woven ties, crowns and necklaces. We were pimped up and ready for town.

We spent the night at a few bars, a traditional restaurant with a definite middle east feel of hanging lanterns, rugs and cushions. We all were pretty achy after an hour or two on the floor waiting continually for our waitress to return with the dessert menu we asked for but she never came. We paid and left to find a sisha bar to finish of the night with a few beers.

The next morning me, Amber and Kristen headed out to Prision Island. About a 30 minute boat ride away to where slaves used to be in quaratine for 14 days before heading to the mainland. The process didn’t really work as everyone still got sick. Our purpose here was to see the giant tortises in a scantuary. There were dozens of them around, and we were given bundles of celery to feed them with. A few just didn’t bother moving but others were keen. Crooning their necks around, getting onto their tiptoes to walk and making a slow motion movement towards us. All their motions are nice and slow, but they were loving the celery. We spent ages there, it was cool. Each of them has a personallity on their face, looking like a 90 year old grandmother with no teeth

From here we transferred to the north to spend a few days on the beach. We all piled into our basic accomodations and spent the next two days swimming in the beautiful turquoise waters, drinking beers and cocktails, eating nice seafood (Zanzibar Pole Pole Coconut Octopus was the best) and getting some sun. Was cool just to hang out with everyone.

The highlight though was going snorkelling. We went out on the smallest boat possible for 2 hours cruise, then got a reef just off a private island. Donned the snorkels and jumped into the awesome warm water. Instantly we were immersed with fish all around and perfect clarity of everything. A few of the others were good snorkellers so showed us how to dive down and equalise. Made the experience so so much better as rather than watching the fish, you are down there with them. Scuba diving must be an awesome next step. After a good hour or so in the water, we went back to a nearby beach for lunch of steamed kingfish, chapati and fruit. Delicious.

We ended our days here going for a sunset cruise on a traditional dhow – fishing boat. We just relaxed in the sun, rested, drank beers and chatted watching the sunset and other boats out around the place. Very cool. Zanzibar is a place I would love to return to, to explore the island some more and swim in the nicest seas ever another time.