I have found one of my favorite places in the world... Zanzibar. In April during our school holiday, I travelled to Zanzibar with a couple of other missionary friends for a short 5 day vacation. I have gone to many places around the world, but Zanzibar is extraordinary. It is an island situated a short distance from the Africa mainland. We enjoyed great seafood, beautiful blue ocean, white sandy beaches, snorkelling, swimming with dolphins and so much more!
We travelled during low season which was nice because the rates were really cheap and we were able to interact with the locals much more than we normally would. The coastline of East Africa and the islands nearby are the birthplace of Swahili culture which developed from the traditional Africans interacting with the Arab and Persian traders travelling through the Indian Ocean. I was able to get a lot of practice speaking Kiswahili as we tried to navigate around with public transportation and interact with the local community. Because their culture is already blended with many different race
s and nationalities, we seemed to "fit in" more than I am used to in Africa. There weren't many people staring at us or shouting "mzungu" (white man) like they do so often in Kenya. It was much more comfortable. The people were extremely friendly and welcoming; I am not sure if that is because of the laidback Island lifestyle or the Swahili culture.
s and nationalities, we seemed to "fit in" more than I am used to in Africa. There weren't many people staring at us or shouting "mzungu" (white man) like they do so often in Kenya. It was much more comfortable. The people were extremely friendly and welcoming; I am not sure if that is because of the laidback Island lifestyle or the Swahili culture. One of my favorite parts was riding their public transportation. They have converted big trucks by putting in benches and covering the top. So they squeeze people in the back and everyone is sitting, facing each
other; talking, laughing and joking. I have never seen a culture where the men are so caring to the children. While climbing into the vehicle the women will hand their child to the closest man to hold. The man will carry the child on his lap and even play with them. Because of that, the children are so free with everyone. They are fun, cute and very playful. So some of my best times were just riding around the island in their public vehicles. And you can go just about anywhere on the island for under $1.
other; talking, laughing and joking. I have never seen a culture where the men are so caring to the children. While climbing into the vehicle the women will hand their child to the closest man to hold. The man will carry the child on his lap and even play with them. Because of that, the children are so free with everyone. They are fun, cute and very playful. So some of my best times were just riding around the island in their public vehicles. And you can go just about anywhere on the island for under $1. The beaches were great too. The one at Paje on the East Coast was huge. The sand seemed to go on forever in both directions. The water was shades of turquoise and blue with great visibility. We enjoyed some good snorkelling in the blue lagoon and swimming through the mangroves (a forest in the ocean).
On the second day we went swimming with the dolphins. A motorboat takes you out into the deep ocean where the dolphins like
to pass. You search for them and when you see them the guides rush you into the water with your snorkel on. My friend Kim was swimming right between three of them, including a baby; she was close enough to reach out and touch it. I was a little slower swimmer, but got to see it all from behind. After the dolphins leave, you get back in the boat and look for another group of dolphins to
join.
to pass. You search for them and when you see them the guides rush you into the water with your snorkel on. My friend Kim was swimming right between three of them, including a baby; she was close enough to reach out and touch it. I was a little slower swimmer, but got to see it all from behind. After the dolphins leave, you get back in the boat and look for another group of dolphins to
join. The food in Zanzibar was also amazing. The first night we had a fresh seafood catch dinner. We placed an order with a local man in the morning. As we were returning from sn
orkeling we met him brining in the squid and snapper he had just cut. A short time later we were enjoying one of the best seafood dinners ever, along with a couple of his small children who were entertaining us as they sat on our laps. During the two nights up on the Northern Tip, Nugwi, we found the most amazing place called Flame Tree Cottage. They cooked us delicous prawns, seafood pasta, and many other things that left our mouths watering. The final night was a unique treat in Stone Town. Every night the locals set up their barbeques at Forodhani Gardens next to the ocean and cook up all the fresh seafood that has been caught that day. You can literally get any kind of seafood imaginable at a very cheap price.
orkeling we met him brining in the squid and snapper he had just cut. A short time later we were enjoying one of the best seafood dinners ever, along with a couple of his small children who were entertaining us as they sat on our laps. During the two nights up on the Northern Tip, Nugwi, we found the most amazing place called Flame Tree Cottage. They cooked us delicous prawns, seafood pasta, and many other things that left our mouths watering. The final night was a unique treat in Stone Town. Every night the locals set up their barbeques at Forodhani Gardens next to the ocean and cook up all the fresh seafood that has been caught that day. You can literally get any kind of seafood imaginable at a very cheap price. It was an incredible experience that I won't soon forget. I can't wait until I get a chance to go back and experience Zanzibar again.
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