Nov. 1, 2012 - Zanzibar, Tanzania

Nov. 1, 2012 - Zanzibar, Tanzania

We left for Zanzibar on Oct. 28 for a 4 night stay.  We left as a group of 10 and only 7 of us have returned to continue on with the trip.  

The trip started with a tuktuk ride (a small 3 wheeled vehicle that serves as a taxi) to a small ferry across the water way within Dar Es Salaam.  The tuktuk crossed with us and then took us to the large ferry that crossed to Zanzibar, a 2 1/2 hour ride.

As soon as we arrived, a local guide, Daniel, helped us through immigration (yes, even though it is still Tanzania, then took us on a short tour around Stone Town and then to a spice farm tour.  The farm grows all kinds of fruits and spices.  We saw cinnamon, lemongrass, vanilla, ginger, and many more.  We also got a to try a custard apple, a star fruit, a jack fruit, a really strange variety of grapefruit, a mandarin orange, and a few different kinds of tea.

After the tour it was an hour drive to Nungwi, the north and best beaches on the island.  There the 3 other ladies and I got a nice room at Safina Bungalows for $15/night with breakfast.  It was just a 2 minute walk to the beach.  We immediately through on our swimsuits and went for a short plunge in the ocean.  I have to say Zanzibar has been one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever visited.     It has white white sand beaches and small coral cliffs that meet up with the sand and then the ocean.  When the tide is high you cant even pass along the beach without having to swim but when the tide is low you can walk almost the length of a football field out into the sand before you meet the ocean.  The mornings around 9 where when the tide was the lowest and you could walk out and sit on a sand bar surrounded by water or go pick up star fish in knee deep water.

The second day was filled with nothing but sitting on the beach enjoying the sun and waves.  We did get a guy to open us 4 coconuts to drink for 10,000 shillings.  He had to go out and get the coconuts and then return to open them.  I layered myself with 50spf but still managed to turn into a bit of a lobster, I blame the doxycycline.  Over a month in Africa and I finally get a sunburn....later than I thought it would be before getting burned.  I also got a henna design on my foot.  I love it.   It think its convinced me to go ahead and get that tattoo Ive been saying I would get if I ever did go on this crazy around the world trip.

Every morning for breakfast we had a plate of fruit, two rolls, a scrambled egg, and all the coffee or tea you could drink.

On day 3 Alene and I went on 2 dives with Spanish Divers.  2 50minute dives put us out $110, not too shabby.  The diving was fantastic too.  The reefs where full of life.  We saw 6 sea turtles, a lion fish, a small sting ray, a ghost pipe fish (our dive master says this is VERY rare, he was very excited), and many, many other colorful fish.  I also found Nemo!  Our dive boat was a handmade sailboat called a dhow (or dao) with a motor.  It reminded us of a pirate boat and thus we gave each other pirate names and talked pirate while on the boat.  Alene was "Peg Leg" and I was "Captain Hand Hook".  There was a lot of yo-ho-ho, matey, shiver me timbers, and prepare the cannons being yelled on the boat ride.  :-) The rest of our group went on a snokel trip in a similar boat.
Day 4 was another full day on the beach.  It ended with a $10 sunset tour along the coast.  We started at 4:30 and sailed on a dhow up the coast, stopped for a while to snorkel on a reef and then sailed further north turned around and arrived back to our beach just after the sun fell below the horizon.
Day 5 we walked along to the beach in the morning and then met up with our transport back to Stone Town.  There we walked through the market and then tiny alleys of the town.  We had lunch on the shore and then went to catch the ferry back to the mainland.  Once we arrived back our tuktuks took us to a different campsite.  Our driver and truck where there.  Come to find out the beach next to our original campsite had had a "scuffle" and it was no longer safe to stay there.  Henry told us they saw a petrobomb (a bottle full of gas lit on fire)  go flying and all the overland trucks immediately packed up and headed out.  This is the same place, mind you, that used a gun shot to get people out of the water when it was time for everyone to go home.

I still cant get over how amazing the beaches in Zanzibar are.  Just beautiful.  If ever you get the chance to go, take it.

Other noteworthy items:
* I kicked a sea urchin and ended up with spines in my foot, slightly painful but no worse than a thorn
* I actually wore makeup one night out in Zanzibar
* As we were on our way to Dar Es Salaam the truck broke down in the middle of the road for about an hour while our driver quickly repaired it
* As we were pulling into the campsite our truck caught a power line and and pulled over a telephone pole/dead tree onto a car.
* Alene found a fully intact sand dollar
*  I bought 2 paintings
* We met a local guy named Hasan, who played volleyball with us and hung out for a while, was great to get to talk to a local whom I could ask lots of questions.
* We lost yet another of our ladies on the trip to return home and to work.  I wish you well Sarah! It was great having you.  Hope to see you in Germany.  We also lost the 2 english boys to home and work, they knew how to have a good time.

What I have learned:
* I will never get used to the smell of horrible BO.
* Black people dont get sunburned - im jealous.
* Zanzibar is mostly muslim and most of those who arent are not from the island.
* They dont celebrate halloween in Zanzibar.
* In Africa, it is perfectly acceptable to pull over and pee on the side of the road by a bush.
* Using the side of the road is actually preferable to some of the squatty potties we have come across.
* Along the same lines, ALWAYS carry your own toilet paper.
Sara Sjuts! The sarong and pillow have been clutch!!! The sarong has functioned as a bathroom door while on the side of the road, a blanket, a dress, a scarf, a sunshade, and a cover up when wearing shorts in public.  The pillow goes without saying, it makes sleeping much more enjoyable. Thanks again!