My Zanzibar experience

The best thing I enjoy about being on an island is the option of hopefully getting a good tan and listening to the sound of the waves crashing to the shore. So I packed my array of comfortable beach wear, loads of sun tan lotion and boarded a One Time Airline flight to Zanzibar. Yes, believe it...One Time Airlines travels to and from Zanzibar on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The Zanzibar shore

Fortunately everything was pre-arranged, so at the tiny Zanzibar Airport, I was met with a comfortable taxi ready to take me to my accommodation on the South Side of Zanzibar. The ocean was on the doorstep of my luxurious apartment.

Me at my accommodation.

My accommodation.

The front part of my accommodation.

Along the route to the accommodation, many vacant, ruined houses were present. The Muslim culture is a dominant religion in Zanzibar. So many females covered from head to toe were present. 

We were warned of the "Island Boys". These are basically the people who look out for the tourists and will con the tourist with special offers to show you around Zanzibar, take your money and then not arrive for their promised tour.

But there was plenty of rich history in this little Island off Tanzania. Doing a spice tour near the popular area of Stone Town was enlightening. The Zanzibar locals amazed me with how they could transform leaves from a tree into grass sunglasses, bangles and even head wear. Their knowledge of the different spices was phenomenal.

Then there was the tour through Stone Town, that was amassed with sidewalk markets filled with ornate artwork, Muslim cuisine, small curio shops and an old Presidential House.

The walk through the previous prison was daunting and sent thrills through my spine, but it was a must see.

What a change to see so much activity on the semi-tarred streets of Stone Town. 

The locals practiced the Muslim religion and I was in Zanzibar during the time of their Eid celebration when Muslims returned from their pilgrimage. The locals made it a vibrant event with children dressed in the best garments, music playing, tents set up for socialising and eating. There were even lights flashing in true festive spirit.

A chosen Blue Safari was a choice that I do not regret making. We boarded a ship during low tide, visited sand bars where we could snorkel. We then sailed to an island where we could taste the most interesting fruits that one could only find in Zanzibar. A catamaran ride to a quaint alcove off the island was a highlight too.

I Just wish that I had maintained my rule to apply loads of suntan lotion on a regular basis throughout the Safari Blue trip, as clearly the 35 degree and plus temperature took its toll on my skin and I was completely sunburned after that adventure. By the time I arrived at my accommodation, not even the air conditioning on full blast could soothe the pain of the sunburn.

And have you ever heard of a crab surviving by living in a tree for over 10 years? Talk about a creature adapting to its environment. The crab lodged itself into a tree, made it its new abode and never left. The crab is a big tourist attraction on the Safari Blue tour.

I guess as the crab adapted to its environment, so did I adapt to the Zanzibar environment, where poverty is rife, yet the locals are so friendly. An enriching experience from an island that I never thought I would visit.