Relaxing on Zanzibar

Trip Start Jul 27, 2008
1
5
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Trip End Sep 09, 2008


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Flag of Tanzania  , Zanzibar Archipelago,
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

From the campsite at Dar, we took a barge to the city and then a ferry to Zanzibar.  The ferry was a little bit rough, but we all slept so were fine.  We arrived in Stone Town and went straight onto the Spice Tour.  The first stop was the site of the last African Slave Trade, quite a reminder of the past.  Then we were off to a farm to see where all the spices come from.  Very elightening!  They had us tasting/ smelling everything, and most of us were guessing wrong - spot the people who don't do much cooking!

We had a night in Stone Town where we went to the Fish Markets for dinner.  The Fish Markets is one street fill with street stands.  They have fresh seafood displayed raw on the table, you decided what you want to eat and they cook it for you.  The seafood that I tried was all fantastic!  Bruce found a place that wasn't seafood, so he was also happy.
Bruce and James with their flax hats
Bruce and James with their flax hats
The next morning we were off to the beach!  Our resort had loads of bungalows just off the beach, a bar/ restaurant on the beach and additional bars/ restaurants further down the beach.  We spent the time swimming, snorkelling, playing frisbee, (Mark/ Chris, the frisbee has been a great present!), getting sunburnt (damn English skin!), eating, drinking and doing some shopping.  It was very nice to get off the truck for a bit, and not to be camping!  It was also a real bonus to get our washing done and have some clean clothes at long last!

The ferry ride back to Dar was probably the most eventful part of the time on Zanzibar.  We were only about 5 minutes out of the harbour when the crew came around handing out sick bags, a hint of what was to come!  I was told the swells were only 1-2 mtrs, but they were coming on an angle at the boat so it was rocking loads!  There was also occassional bangs as the boat hit another wave.  I spent the whole ride hanging onto the back of the boat, surrounded by people making use of their sick bags (nice!), considering swimming back.  One of the girls told me afterwards that the guy next to her spent the whole way back praying, glad I didn't have to listen to that.  I am not sure that I will be getting on another ferry any time soon.
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