Destinations, Photography, Zanzibar

Arrival in Zanzibar

October 30, 2012

After passing through Tanzanian customs chaos and spending one thought provoking night in Dar es Salaam, we arrived on Zanzibar Island via ferry boat and let Stone Town overwhelm our senses.

Blue oceans and bright saris.

Loud voices calling “Jambo!” and singing “Hakuna Matata” through the streets.

Hot sunshine blazing down.

Spiced coffees, spiced teas, spice tours. (Oh, spice tours. Wait for the next post…)

Flavors and colors and moments on the east coast of Africa…




Zanzibar, at last.

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22 Comments

  • Reply kimolsonphoto October 30, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    Is that a sunset cruise you took? Looks really relaxing. :) Zanzibar looks like a interesting place, though I can’t say I know much – or anything – about it. I look forward to learning more in your upcoming posts.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 1, 2012 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks, Kim! It was a sunset cruise : ) After coming into the port on the big ferry, it was a pleasure to sail out to sea and hear sails flapping in the wind while musicians kept the atmosphere lively. I’d always been fascinated by the idea of Zanzibar – it was really special to visit and begin learning about the place and the people who call it home. Hope you enjoy the coming posts. I think the octopus curry story is my favorite … coming soon! : )

  • Reply jane luthy October 30, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    HI Bethany and Ted,

    I’m thinking about you two! I was able to taste those chips, and chew on a piece of that
    coconut, and feel the sway of that boat.

    Both of you radiate!
    Jane xxoo

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 1, 2012 at 1:01 pm

      Jane! Always so wonderful to hear from you. I can imagine you right there with us out on the open sea : ) I wish I could transport you here to join us … we’re always telling each other, “Jane would love this!” or “Jane would love that!”

      Looking forward to seeing you at home next year : )

  • Reply Sheila October 30, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    gorgeous. and perfect.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 1, 2012 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks, Sheila!
      xx
      Bethany

  • Reply Archana October 31, 2012 at 8:07 am

    Simply beautiful. And I really dig that map of Africa with all the countries scribbled in!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 1, 2012 at 1:03 pm

      I know – I want one hanging on my wall! I secretly kinda took the picture so that it would remind me to make one when I get home ; )

  • Reply Cardamom Spice Tea: Bitter and Sweet on a Spice Tour in Zanzibar - twoOregonians November 1, 2012 at 4:26 pm

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  • Reply Two Travelaholics November 1, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Yay! We remember you guys saying how much you were looking forward to Zanzibar. Did it fulfill your expectations? How long will you be there? We get there in roughly a month haha. Enjoy!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 3, 2012 at 5:33 am

      Thanks so much! We were so jazzed to be able to work Zanzibar into our route. Your question about expectations is interesting… In some ways, yes, in other ways, no, but I suppose that’s been true of every destination. It’s a trade to hand over visions of a place and be given reality in exchange, but we were both thankful for the opportunity to see and learn.

      We were there for ten days – I thought it was going to be too short, but it turns out most travelers we met were jealous and only on the island for a few days at the end of a longer time on mainland. We enjoyed Stone Town and then escaped to Bwejuu on the East Coast. Some friends gave us a few great recommendations – I’ll see if I can email them over to you guys! Have so much fun when you get there : )

  • Reply Stephanie - The Travel Chica November 2, 2012 at 3:41 am

    Sounds like an exciting place. Adding it to my list!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 3, 2012 at 5:34 am

      Do it! : )

  • Reply Mark Wiens November 2, 2012 at 8:41 am

    Beautiful photos! I think I can recognize Tembo Lodge in one of your photos? Also, I’m seeing that bowl of cassava chips? Those are my absolute favorite, every time I get back to Tanzania I eat a few bags of chili spiced cassava chips and a stoney tangawizi. Hope you guys are having a great time in Zanzibar!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 3, 2012 at 5:36 am

      Thanks for stopping by, Mark. You’re absolutely right – the lovely Tembo Lodge and the mouthwatering cassava chips (I could eat them all day long!). My brother used to work at a restaurant in Portland that served them, and I was grateful for unlimited refills at the table. No such luck on the boat – I forced myself to eat them slowly ; )

      Zanzibar was a dream come true… Glad to finally be catching up on the stories and posts!

  • Reply Annie of TravelShus November 2, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    beautiful photos guys. I’ve always wanted to go here, just hasnt made sense yet. Maybe after a Kili climb in the next year or so! Cant wait for more photos!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 3, 2012 at 5:43 am

      Annie, It fits in perfectly if you’re already thinking of going to Kilimanjaro. : ) We met so many people who had great stories of mountain climbing and of viewing the wildlife on mainland. I’d love to return someday and see more of Tanzania… Good luck with your trip planning!

  • Reply Audrey | That Backpacker November 3, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Your shots are beautiful! I love the vibrancy of the colours. And that’s a really cool shots of the building’s facade with the laundry hanging. :D

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 10, 2012 at 3:51 am

      Hey, thanks Audrey! I don’t have a photo showing the full length, but that building must be 800 feet long or more. There are two on either side of the road, just absolutely chalk full of apartment units. Interesting to imagine what it’d be like to live there…

  • Reply Kieu November 3, 2012 at 10:30 am

    I’ve always wanted to visit Zanzibar.. looks beautiful!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians November 10, 2012 at 4:19 am

      I hope you guys get to go someday, Kieu! I was amazed at how many people visit for just a few days, usually at the tail end of their Kilimanjaro hike or something like that…but I was really happy with our 12-day stay on the island, and I’d go back and spend even more time. It really does feel as far away as it sounds : )

  • Reply Cheat Sheet to Visiting Zanzibar: Flavor on a Dime, Luxury on a Dollar - twoOregonians November 4, 2012 at 3:42 pm

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