Menai Bay Beach Bungalows Zanzibar

... island, a dhow trip, a boat trip to snorkel with dolphins, the opportunity to scuba dive, or a spice tour. This will include a local meal, a tour around the sites of Stone Town, and some history on its former slave market. Next will be the drive to the spice plantations where you will receive a guided tour and the opportunity to touch, smell and taste various spices such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, and teas made with these spices.

... Beach Bungalows, seems deserted here. Walked through the village and used the internet before deciding to undertake a PADI Scuba Diver Course &#8211; 2 dives in 1 day, half of the Open Water Course &#8211; to depths of 12m. Had dinner on the beach beside our hotel. Staying here with Kodai, Jess and Sam.<br><br>15th &#8211; Full day diving at the eco-dive resort of Mnemba Atoll. Doing this course with Zanzibar Watersports based in our ...

... was the place to be and Said was the man to know. The bar was his kingdom and he ruled it as though it was a borough of New York City. His blue jeans hung off the top of his butt like a brotha from da hood. <br><br>&#8220;Whachaal havin&#8217; ta&#8217; drink, huh?&#8221; he drawled. &#8220;Aright then, three Tuskers comin&#8217; right up. Hey, Salim, put the volume up man! What a song, hey! Man, I like dat song, I like it! Woahhhhh! Lydia, where ya been? D ...

... bathtub was a tiled Persian bath. And there was the coolest view of the ocean from my bed. So very cool. The first day we were here we decided to take a dhow or wooden boat to an island we could see from the hotel's beach. This is called prisoners' island, although the prison they built there was never used as such. Instead, since Zanzibar served as a major port, it housed anyone who was suspect of carrying disease. If I get swine flu, I know where I am ...

... and the fact that the beaches are only approached easily from the long driveways into the resorts whose entrance doesn't really reveal what treasures lie beyond, we didn't really find much to see. Eventually we arrived at Matemwe - we wanted to check out a new hotel that some other travelers had recommended - it was apparently almost deserted so we thought that if we showed up at the desk we might bag a good deal as it was beyond our budget at it's ...

... and go to sleep. In the middle of the night, I wake up with 4-6 bug bites on my arms. I am so upset. I wake up Ernie and we try to find the bug, unsuccessful. I change my pjs to long sleeves and long pants. I put on bug repellant on my feet, hands and neck. I go back to sleep. I wake up with 2 bug bites on my forehead and 1 on my jaw!!!! NOW here is the kicker. Ask me how many bites Ernie got!! GO AHEAD!! ASK ME!!!!! ZERO! NONE! That critter feasted on me and ...

... showed us spices. Hunter was impressed by his skill of making frog necklaces, rings, watches, handbags, etc out of banana leaves. Next we headed to a remote beach where slaves were kept in caves at the end of the slave trade. We then drove to ...

... The houses are all made of stone (obviously!) and are very old. Also, there are plenty of mosques around where you can hear people praying during most parts of the day. Lots of character in this town. It is easy to like. What UI don't like are the touts. Because this is a popular destination point for tourists, the touts are in full force here. They don't leave you alone - always trying to sell you stuff. You really need to be patient with them and it takes a while to shake them off ...

... muslim. The old town of Zanzibar, also called Stone Town, is a relaxing place by the Indian Ocean, filled with exotic scents and sights among the labyrinthine alleyways much like a typical Arab town. The tourist facilities here are quite a bit more comfortable than in ...