This takes place from the 16th of November to the 19th November on the beautiful island of Zanzibar.
We set of very very early (i think we were up at 04:30) to get a ferry across the Bay of Dar es Salaam and then the ferry to Zanzibar. The Ferry across the bay, whilst only 5-10 minutes was chaotic and mental - people running on and a huge crowd trying to get on. The ferry to Zanzibar was a far more sedate affair!
On arival in Zanzibar we drove to the north of the island to amazing accommodation near the beach front - Sunset bungalows 30USD a night. Beautiful beach, very hot and sunny so what else to do other then chill on the beach, few drinks and a bit of volleyball with Ryan, Brian and Vicky. Good Times!! Next morning, despite an overwhelming desire to sleep in in my beautiful bed (an actual bed which was a lovely change) it was an early start to go snorkelling off Mnemba island. Now this very much takes me out of my comfort zone - a non-swimmer (6 lessons before I left) with a distinct fear of drowning and very much not at ease in the water (particularly if I can't reach the ground with my feet). So I got into a wet suit (added bouyancy - apparently) and flippers and boated of to the island. I initially tried it sans life jacket and was ok for 10 minutes or so but then got a large mouthful of water down my snorkel which unsettled me no end so I went back to the boat and got my life jacket on so I could relax a little more. And relax I did - I enjoyed the experience a great deal and saw a lot - don't get me wrong I stuck to the surface with my head under - no diving under like the others, but for me that was enough. On the boat i also managed to fall asleep in the most unusual of positions!! The evening was spent chilling on the beach and taking many fun photo's and some great ones of what has to be the best sunset I have ever seen!! Complete with sail boat!! The night was Ryan and Brian's last night with us so naturally we said goodbye as a group in the best fashion - with a drunken send off. Great night dancing at the bar on the sand. There was Limbo (I came second - impressive considering how small some of the girls were and the fact I am 6'2"!!)
The next day we traveled south to Stone Town. On the way we did the spice tour on a spice/fruit plantation with a very charismatic guide with ever changing accents - 'Ali T'. Tasted a jack fruit and a custard apple - had a very off putting consistency but I actually really liked it!! Then a quick history of the slave trade in Zanzibar and a visit the slave quarters - very claustrophobic and just a slight insight into how awful the conditions must of been!! Stone town itself is a different experience - unique but enjoyable. We sampled the delights at the night food market - including the famous Stone Town pizza's which were amazing!! Not actually a pizza as you would think of it but thoroughly enjoyable. Another truly wonderful sunset viewed from the balcony of a bar - sunset, beer and good company - couldn't be happier!!
Unfortunately all good things come to an end so we travlled back to camp in Dar es Salaam before the next leg of our journey.
