Poa Kichizi Kama Ndizi (Cool as Bananas) Zanzibar
Trip Start
Mar 30, 2008
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139
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Trip End
Mar 31, 2009
Stone Town,
Zanzibar Archipelago,
Tanzania
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday 9th March - Day 19 Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, Stone Town, Spice Tour, Fish Market
It had to be an early start again in order to get best time on Zanzibar. That meant at 5am getting a taxi to the ferry which took us back across the harbour to the main ferry terminal We were waned to be very careful against robbery and to wear our backpacs on our fronts.
The two hour fast ferry ride took us across to Stone Town and immediately we were captivated with Zanzibar's alluring appeal. It was a busy place with narrow streets only big enough for motorbikes or elephants. As they no longer use elephants the huge knobs on the ornate doorways have become obsolete now, but still look impressive
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.Arriving at Karibu Inn we were a little dissapointed and it was a bit of a maze. We found our room on the 3rd floor and hoped we didnt have a fire as there was no sign of any fire protection here! The room was OK but hot with a fan, no A/C and no view of the sea. Still it was nice and novel for us to be able to sleep in a bed!
We went out and took advantage of the for once relatively fast and reliable internet in the local Post Office. We regrouped for a lunch in the Indian restaurant next door to the hotel after borrowing some money from Erika. The Visa system on the island was down and no one could get any money from the ATM's. I tried a Lassi at the Indian, Mango and then salted, and was surprised how nice they were.
After lunch Clare went shopping with Amy and I joined Max for a walk around town. After a huge disappointment in a gem shop we decided to find a local brew house and Max drowned his sorrows at losing $100 (and an Ipod I found later) in 'Bottoms Up'. We were the only Mizunga (foreigners) there, it was great.
After meeting up again as a whole group for 'Sundowners' at the Livingstonian we headed to the night fish market
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. Here they had a wide range of seafood on offer to satisfy everyones hunger. After choosing your fish it is re heated on the bbq. The ambiance was great here. I had some large prawns and Red Snapper. David who I had met earlier was a local fisherman. He warned that you should be careful where you buy as some of the seafood they display can be up to 2 weeks old! He also invited Max and myself to go fishing with him overnight from 12am to 7am. Whilst sorely tempted we declined his kind offer. Clare and I made our way back to our sticky but very welcome bed, passing 'Mercuries' on our way. It was here that Freddie wrote some of his greatest songs.Tuesday 10th March - Day 20 Zanzibar, Stone Town to Lilongwe Beach, Sunset Bungalows
By leaving at 8am the 1h45minute journey meant we arrived with time to spare. The white sandy beach was amazing and whie we waite our oomm ot b redy we had a swim in thte torquoise waters. The room was lovvely and we had a huge double bed to share. Relaxing was the order of the day and Zak and I started to watch 'Sometimes in April' about the Rwandan Genocide.
We then went on the most hilarious drive. KB and Pete had hired a car and Zak, Amy, Megan and I piled in with them
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. We were searching for a more private beach, but before we had to contend with the Police. Pete had inadvertently left his shirt off and a Policeman at a road block wanted to put him in prison for this until court opened tomorrow! It was farcical really and eventually realising he wasnt going to achieve a bribe he let us on our way. We stumbled down some dodgy dirt roads and eventually decided our beach was OK after all. So we returned there for more swimming and snorkelling.After joining up with everyone for dinner we cut away to enjoy an hour or so off luxury in a proper bedroom with a real bed.
Wednesday 11th March - Day 21 Zanzibar, Sunset Bungalows
7h30 and getting so used to early starts Pete, Clare and I went down to the beach and had a great circuit session there. After breakfast the 6 of us went to a nearby aquarium. The aquarium was a natural tidal pool which mysteriously filled and emptied with the tide from the sea, over 200 meters away. It is likely that the water moves through unseen tunnels and crevices in the ancient coral reef that forms the Island.
In the aquarium were 9 turtles, 4 female and 5 male
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. While everyone paid their $7 to snorkel there with the turtles and fish I stayed back to ask some questions of the operator and his friend Ibrahim. I was concerned how well it was run and with what motivation. It appeared that although little management of the aquarium and the specimens was occuring, some of the people here had honourable, if somewhat ill informed, intentions. But 'This is Africa' and so long as the government is getting it's 30% taxes from the operation they don't complain!Back to the Bungalows for lunch then after which a few of us went snorkelling at the nearby pier. I had recced this with Rich yesterday and everyone loved seeing the huge schools of silverfish, Barracuda, pipe fish and starfish. We even got a play on a nearby pontoon in. After a shower off we were back in dinner mode and a walk on the beach after finished us off for the day.
