Zanzibar
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Zanzibar Town,
Tanzania
Monday, November 5, 2007
It is about 4:30 in the afternoon, and it is really hot here in Zanzibar. The walk from our banda across the white sand to the internet cafe (a full 20 m maybe) is enough to do me in. Fortunately the cafe is next to the bar.
We are actually at Kendwa Beach on the northeast coast of the island - our room is right on the sand with a view of the ocean. There is even a hammock out front. The sand is white and very fine - made up of broken shells. The ocean is a tremendous aqua-blue-green and really warm, with Dhows sailing across the horizon. I went diving today and the bottom temperature (10 m down) was 27 celcius. The diving was good but I'm still too focused on not messing up to really enjoy what I'm seeing. There are a lot of fish and coral though - tomorrow Chris and I are both going to Mbemba Atoll, which is supposed to be one of the top diving areas near Zanzibar. Hopefully as I get more experience I can actually better register what I'm seeing.
After Kilimanjaro, I wrote that I was suffering some severe windburn. The severely windburnt skin dried up, turned brown, peeled off, and left the worst case of cold sores I have ever had. The interesting part of the story is that all kinds of people have stopped me to ask what happened, and then say 'so sorry'. It is a completely sincere gesture. It is a nice change from staring or pretending there is nothing wrong. Although today (after being in the salt water for a few hours the scabs all turned white) one poor lady looked postively scared for me.
Other than diving it is going to be a super relaxed week before we head home. Now, off to the beach bar for a sunset beer. Check Chris's page for pictures - he has been here for an hour so I'm guessing that he has added a lot. I will upload some later this week.
Take care.
