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.
22 Comments
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.
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! : )
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
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 : )
gorgeous. and perfect.
Thanks, Sheila!
xx
Bethany
Simply beautiful. And I really dig that map of Africa with all the countries scribbled in!
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 ; )
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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!
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 : )
Sounds like an exciting place. Adding it to my list!
Do it! : )
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
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…
I’ve always wanted to visit Zanzibar.. looks beautiful!
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 : )
[…] creatures of habit, we two. Many delicious breakfasts here. The spiced avocado toast (picture in the first Zanzibar post) and banana crepes became a favorite morning ritual during our first week in […]