Lindsey and I had gotten our tickets for the ferry a couple days before we went. We didn’t even want to risk not having a seat or having to pay more. Pastor Muro’s driver took us to the ferry station. We showed up about an hour and a half early. We found where the ferry was docked and had to sit and wait for boarding time. When they finally told us that it was time to board, we headed to the dock. We were in a crowd of people rushing and pushing to get on the boat.
Lindsey and I decided to be really smart and unload stuff that we would not need and leave it at the Muro’s house. We both had small carry-ons and then shared one suit case. We probably could have fit every thing in the carry-ons, but we wanted room for souvenirs.
As we were walking to the dock an employee from the ferry company walked up to us and wanted to carry the suitcase. We were hesitant, but then he said no it’s ok I work here. So, he carried our suitcase for us. We had bought V.I.P tickets. We were escorted to the top compartment with comfortable sofas and chairs. It was even air conditioned. Well, the guys that carried our luggage brought it to us and found a spot close to us to store it. Then he said ok that will be 10,000 tsh. We were so upset. We argued with him for a while, but nothing worked. We felt so stupid! What a trick! Well, we gave him it and learned the lesson the hard way.
The ferry started to fill. Lindsey and I sat a little ways from each other. I was sitting next to a Muslim man and woman. Lindsey was sitting on the other side of the Muslim man and another guy. The ferry started to make its way to Zanzibar. It was about a 3 and a half hour trip. We started to talk to the Muslim man and the guy on the other side of Linds. The guy sitting next to Linds was telling us that he works for a Spice Tour company and that he also goes to school. It was kind of weird how close he was sitting to Linds. He had plenty of room but preferred to sit almost on Linds’s lap. Lindsey pointed out to me later that he was only wearing one sandal. I don’t know what was up with that.
There was a white family on the ferry that was from South Africa. We talked to them a little. They were really funny to watch. Not really knowing what was going on and taking out their frustrations on the people around them. They were also loud and obnoxious.
When it was time to exit the ferry we waited and waited for the people on the bottom floor to get off so that we wouldn’t have to stand in line for too long. We just sat and waited in the air conditioned compartment. We had about 20 people walk up to our stuff and start picking it up and wanted to carry it for us. We would say hapana asante ( no thank you) and then they would reply omna sheida (no problem). Like no problem I don’t mind carrying it. Ya, for 10,000 shillings we would be more than happy to carry our own stuff thank you very much! They finally got the point, but we were still asked by many other people.
We finally got off the ferry and went to the immigration office to get our passports stamped. As soon as we walked out of the gated area we were overwhelmed by every one trying to talk to us. There were taxi drivers asking us if we needed a ride, people working for tour companies trying to get us to use their services, and others. I felt way over stimulated! We made our way to the safe haven of the South African family. They were a safe haven because they had already told all these people to take a hike. All of this commotion was almost too much for me. I’m not used to be treated like a tourist and being bombarded with people all around trying to get our attention.
Luckily enough our hotel was only three blocks from the ferry station. We just walked. It was not the Ritz Carlton but it suited us just fine. A room with two beds with mosquito nets, a toilet and a shower. No air condition, but it did have a ceiling fan that had a setting that was really fast it was like turbo speed and worked well to keep the room somewhat cool.
Dar and Zanzibar are super hot! It’s really uncomfortable. You sit there and sweat like crazy even when you are not doing anything. It’s terrible and in Zanzibar there is a huge Muslim population, so you can’t run around in shorts and a tank top. It’s just not acceptable. Some tourists do it, but it’s just rude and shows how ignorant some people are about other cultures.
We settled into our room and set out exploring. We wanted to just sit somewhere relax and eat dinner. We found a really cool place called Monsoon. They had great seafood and the coldest beer I have ever had over here. It felt so good to just sit, just Linds and I.
The next day we had to get ready to go on the Spice Tour. It was such a cool experience. We set out to a spice plantation and got to smell and taste all of the different spices they grow there. We got to see how they grow and what they look like before being processed. Did you know that black pepper, red pepper, and green pepper all come from the same plant? They are just harvested at different times and processed differently. We had lunch at the plantation and they had food with all the different types of spices. It was really good! At the end of the tour we got to taste all types of different fruit that are native to Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was so good! My favorite was the Jack fruit!!! It’s so so good! It tastes like banana mixed with mango. It’s awesome!!!
On our way back from the tour we stopped at a special place where you could explore a slave cave and go swimming on a private beach. It was great. We didn’t go to the slave cave because they charge you more to see it. We walked along a path to the beach. The path then descended down in a crack in the rock formation along the ocean. It was really unique and fun to have the path lead you here. Then the exit of the crack revealed a beautiful sand beach with the glowing blue ocean. Lindsey and I wasted no time to jump in. We had our swim suits under our clothes. We quickly undressed, put our stuff down and hurried to quench our sweat filled bodies. The water was so refreshing. We spent a lot of time studying the ocean floor and the crabs that had dug themselves holes.
When we had had our fill of swimming we explored the beach. We found a lot of cool and interesting shells and other things. It was so beautiful to see the rocks, beach and the ocean. It was a great ending to the tour.
When we got back to the hotel we took a nap and then headed out to find a place to have dinner. We found this hotel called 237 Hauma. It had a restaurant on the top floor. That night they also had traditional African drummers and dancers. It was such an experience. The restaurant was amazing. It was all open besides having pillars to hold up the roof. We sat around the outside on pillows on the floor and short tables in front of us. It was very Indian style. It was like being on Aladdin’s magic carpet. It was a very small area. It was about 20 feet by 10 feet. The food was great and the atmosphere outstanding. We ate up there and watched the sun go down over Zanzibar. Then the drums started to play and the dancers come out. It’s amazing how they can move their bodies. It was really cool to watch. They took a little break while we were served our food. Lindsey and I went down a floor to go to the bathroom and started to talk to one of the dancers. She was telling him how she goes to school for music therapy. Then the drums started again and we had to rush to our spots. They started to dance again and towards the end of their performance the guy we were talking to pulled Linds up on the floor with him and she got to dance with them. She loved it! It was a great night!
The next day we were so pumped to go snorkeling. We packed all the things that we thought that we would need. Linds even brought some under water disposable cameras. We didn’t want to risk something happening to our good cameras so we only brought the underwater ones.
We hopped into the car that would take us to the meeting point about 30 min out side of Stone Town (where we stayed). We arrived at a beach filled with tourists. We waited for a little and then one of the guides explained what we would be doing the rest of the day. After that we were assigned to boats and we headed out. First we went to a lagoon and went swimming. On our way to the lagoon Lindsey and I started to talk to a couple in their early 30’s from Israel on their honeymoon. They were really cool. Their names were Eti, the girl, and Yaniv, the guy. We all hit it off right away!
Swimming in the lagoon was so cool. The water was so clear and clean. The bottom was sandy and the water was about waist height. There were rock formations all around us. Since Linds and I didn’t bring our good camera the Israeli couple took pictures of us and we took pictures for them underwater. So, we won’t be able to see those pics until they e-mail them to us, but their camera was really nice and took awesome pics. It will be worth the wait.
After the lagoon we went to this sand bar in the middle of the ocean. It was not an island but just sand that was above the ocean line. We got to relax in the ocean and on the sand bar for a while. Then we were asked if we were experienced snorkelers. I was like…. Ok what exactly do you mean by experienced and the guide said…. DO you know how to use flippers, goggles and the mouth piece? I was thinking oh ya, I have been snorkeling in my lake up at the cabin many of times. So, Linds and I were “experienced”. Then we loaded in to a boat and they took us out about a mile and were like… Ok swim back to the sand bar.
We were in a sea of jelly fish. I was really nervous at first but then the guide told us that these don’t sting. I still for the most part stayed away from them. The fish were so beautiful. It was so cool. We just slowly made our way back to the sand bar and examined the world below. What an experience!! I think I got some really good pics!
We made it back to the sand bar and they had cold coconuts waiting for is. They cut each one open with a machete and we drank the milk and ate the coconut. It was so good. Then we relaxed again and sat in the ocean letting each wave pound against. We also were given some really good nut cinnamon bars. We sat there and talked to our new friends and enjoyed the day.
After a while we boarded the boat again and headed to another island. It was low tide so we needed to get off the boat and walk a ways in to shore. When we reached the shore our noses were caressed by what would be our lunch, lobster, prawns, calamari, mishkaki (beef skewers), rice, octopus, fish steaks, and a biscut. Could you even want more? After lunch we were even served coffee with Amarula (kinda like Bailey’s Irish Cream) Wow!!! What a meal!!!! Chkula kitom (delicious food).
After lunch again we went to lounge in the ocean. I was laying there floating, feeling the warm sun on my face when I touched something slimy and I jumped up and gave out a little yelp. It was a jelly fish. Lol Yaniv just picked it up and tossed it out deeper. Lol lol My heart was still pounding.
We knew that we couldn’t stay on the beach all day because we still has some serious snorkeling to do. We walked back out to the boat and made our way to the big coral reef. It was out a ways from the island. We threw anchor and sat on the edge of the boat and threw ourselves backwards into the crystal blue water. We adjusted our goggles and began to explore. All of the different colors were amazing. The reds, greens, browns, pinks, and blues made an underwater rainbow of coral. The stunning fish only added to the already dazzling array of color.
I got to see Nemo and Dorri. That was cool. I tried to take some really good pictures. I would even dive to get as close to the reef as possible and slowly try to sneak up on the exotic creatures. It was incredible how most of the time they didn’t swim away like the fish I have seen in the states. They didn’t seem as scared by our presence.
We swam and swam enjoying every minute of our aquatic adventure. We eventually tired and were as wrinkly as raisins. We made our way back to the boat and one of the guides started the boat motor. We drove through the sea of blue for quite some time then the driver shut off the engine. The guides then heaved and hoed to pull up the sail. Then before you knew it the wind caught the sail and we were now being propelled by the natural power of the wind. We relaxed and the guide gave us each a beverage of our choice. Lindsey and I once again enjoyed a cold Safari beer. We sat there watching the sail in awe. The once rough waters being churned by the motor fighting the waves now were soft and gentle. The boat flowed gracefully and effortlessly through the waves, the water now being at peace with our sailing boat.
Lindsey and I decided to be really smart and unload stuff that we would not need and leave it at the Muro’s house. We both had small carry-ons and then shared one suit case. We probably could have fit every thing in the carry-ons, but we wanted room for souvenirs.
As we were walking to the dock an employee from the ferry company walked up to us and wanted to carry the suitcase. We were hesitant, but then he said no it’s ok I work here. So, he carried our suitcase for us. We had bought V.I.P tickets. We were escorted to the top compartment with comfortable sofas and chairs. It was even air conditioned. Well, the guys that carried our luggage brought it to us and found a spot close to us to store it. Then he said ok that will be 10,000 tsh. We were so upset. We argued with him for a while, but nothing worked. We felt so stupid! What a trick! Well, we gave him it and learned the lesson the hard way.
The ferry started to fill. Lindsey and I sat a little ways from each other. I was sitting next to a Muslim man and woman. Lindsey was sitting on the other side of the Muslim man and another guy. The ferry started to make its way to Zanzibar. It was about a 3 and a half hour trip. We started to talk to the Muslim man and the guy on the other side of Linds. The guy sitting next to Linds was telling us that he works for a Spice Tour company and that he also goes to school. It was kind of weird how close he was sitting to Linds. He had plenty of room but preferred to sit almost on Linds’s lap. Lindsey pointed out to me later that he was only wearing one sandal. I don’t know what was up with that.
There was a white family on the ferry that was from South Africa. We talked to them a little. They were really funny to watch. Not really knowing what was going on and taking out their frustrations on the people around them. They were also loud and obnoxious.
When it was time to exit the ferry we waited and waited for the people on the bottom floor to get off so that we wouldn’t have to stand in line for too long. We just sat and waited in the air conditioned compartment. We had about 20 people walk up to our stuff and start picking it up and wanted to carry it for us. We would say hapana asante ( no thank you) and then they would reply omna sheida (no problem). Like no problem I don’t mind carrying it. Ya, for 10,000 shillings we would be more than happy to carry our own stuff thank you very much! They finally got the point, but we were still asked by many other people.
We finally got off the ferry and went to the immigration office to get our passports stamped. As soon as we walked out of the gated area we were overwhelmed by every one trying to talk to us. There were taxi drivers asking us if we needed a ride, people working for tour companies trying to get us to use their services, and others. I felt way over stimulated! We made our way to the safe haven of the South African family. They were a safe haven because they had already told all these people to take a hike. All of this commotion was almost too much for me. I’m not used to be treated like a tourist and being bombarded with people all around trying to get our attention.
Luckily enough our hotel was only three blocks from the ferry station. We just walked. It was not the Ritz Carlton but it suited us just fine. A room with two beds with mosquito nets, a toilet and a shower. No air condition, but it did have a ceiling fan that had a setting that was really fast it was like turbo speed and worked well to keep the room somewhat cool.
Dar and Zanzibar are super hot! It’s really uncomfortable. You sit there and sweat like crazy even when you are not doing anything. It’s terrible and in Zanzibar there is a huge Muslim population, so you can’t run around in shorts and a tank top. It’s just not acceptable. Some tourists do it, but it’s just rude and shows how ignorant some people are about other cultures.
We settled into our room and set out exploring. We wanted to just sit somewhere relax and eat dinner. We found a really cool place called Monsoon. They had great seafood and the coldest beer I have ever had over here. It felt so good to just sit, just Linds and I.
The next day we had to get ready to go on the Spice Tour. It was such a cool experience. We set out to a spice plantation and got to smell and taste all of the different spices they grow there. We got to see how they grow and what they look like before being processed. Did you know that black pepper, red pepper, and green pepper all come from the same plant? They are just harvested at different times and processed differently. We had lunch at the plantation and they had food with all the different types of spices. It was really good! At the end of the tour we got to taste all types of different fruit that are native to Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was so good! My favorite was the Jack fruit!!! It’s so so good! It tastes like banana mixed with mango. It’s awesome!!!
On our way back from the tour we stopped at a special place where you could explore a slave cave and go swimming on a private beach. It was great. We didn’t go to the slave cave because they charge you more to see it. We walked along a path to the beach. The path then descended down in a crack in the rock formation along the ocean. It was really unique and fun to have the path lead you here. Then the exit of the crack revealed a beautiful sand beach with the glowing blue ocean. Lindsey and I wasted no time to jump in. We had our swim suits under our clothes. We quickly undressed, put our stuff down and hurried to quench our sweat filled bodies. The water was so refreshing. We spent a lot of time studying the ocean floor and the crabs that had dug themselves holes.
When we had had our fill of swimming we explored the beach. We found a lot of cool and interesting shells and other things. It was so beautiful to see the rocks, beach and the ocean. It was a great ending to the tour.
When we got back to the hotel we took a nap and then headed out to find a place to have dinner. We found this hotel called 237 Hauma. It had a restaurant on the top floor. That night they also had traditional African drummers and dancers. It was such an experience. The restaurant was amazing. It was all open besides having pillars to hold up the roof. We sat around the outside on pillows on the floor and short tables in front of us. It was very Indian style. It was like being on Aladdin’s magic carpet. It was a very small area. It was about 20 feet by 10 feet. The food was great and the atmosphere outstanding. We ate up there and watched the sun go down over Zanzibar. Then the drums started to play and the dancers come out. It’s amazing how they can move their bodies. It was really cool to watch. They took a little break while we were served our food. Lindsey and I went down a floor to go to the bathroom and started to talk to one of the dancers. She was telling him how she goes to school for music therapy. Then the drums started again and we had to rush to our spots. They started to dance again and towards the end of their performance the guy we were talking to pulled Linds up on the floor with him and she got to dance with them. She loved it! It was a great night!
The next day we were so pumped to go snorkeling. We packed all the things that we thought that we would need. Linds even brought some under water disposable cameras. We didn’t want to risk something happening to our good cameras so we only brought the underwater ones.
We hopped into the car that would take us to the meeting point about 30 min out side of Stone Town (where we stayed). We arrived at a beach filled with tourists. We waited for a little and then one of the guides explained what we would be doing the rest of the day. After that we were assigned to boats and we headed out. First we went to a lagoon and went swimming. On our way to the lagoon Lindsey and I started to talk to a couple in their early 30’s from Israel on their honeymoon. They were really cool. Their names were Eti, the girl, and Yaniv, the guy. We all hit it off right away!
Swimming in the lagoon was so cool. The water was so clear and clean. The bottom was sandy and the water was about waist height. There were rock formations all around us. Since Linds and I didn’t bring our good camera the Israeli couple took pictures of us and we took pictures for them underwater. So, we won’t be able to see those pics until they e-mail them to us, but their camera was really nice and took awesome pics. It will be worth the wait.
After the lagoon we went to this sand bar in the middle of the ocean. It was not an island but just sand that was above the ocean line. We got to relax in the ocean and on the sand bar for a while. Then we were asked if we were experienced snorkelers. I was like…. Ok what exactly do you mean by experienced and the guide said…. DO you know how to use flippers, goggles and the mouth piece? I was thinking oh ya, I have been snorkeling in my lake up at the cabin many of times. So, Linds and I were “experienced”. Then we loaded in to a boat and they took us out about a mile and were like… Ok swim back to the sand bar.
We were in a sea of jelly fish. I was really nervous at first but then the guide told us that these don’t sting. I still for the most part stayed away from them. The fish were so beautiful. It was so cool. We just slowly made our way back to the sand bar and examined the world below. What an experience!! I think I got some really good pics!
We made it back to the sand bar and they had cold coconuts waiting for is. They cut each one open with a machete and we drank the milk and ate the coconut. It was so good. Then we relaxed again and sat in the ocean letting each wave pound against. We also were given some really good nut cinnamon bars. We sat there and talked to our new friends and enjoyed the day.
After a while we boarded the boat again and headed to another island. It was low tide so we needed to get off the boat and walk a ways in to shore. When we reached the shore our noses were caressed by what would be our lunch, lobster, prawns, calamari, mishkaki (beef skewers), rice, octopus, fish steaks, and a biscut. Could you even want more? After lunch we were even served coffee with Amarula (kinda like Bailey’s Irish Cream) Wow!!! What a meal!!!! Chkula kitom (delicious food).
After lunch again we went to lounge in the ocean. I was laying there floating, feeling the warm sun on my face when I touched something slimy and I jumped up and gave out a little yelp. It was a jelly fish. Lol Yaniv just picked it up and tossed it out deeper. Lol lol My heart was still pounding.
We knew that we couldn’t stay on the beach all day because we still has some serious snorkeling to do. We walked back out to the boat and made our way to the big coral reef. It was out a ways from the island. We threw anchor and sat on the edge of the boat and threw ourselves backwards into the crystal blue water. We adjusted our goggles and began to explore. All of the different colors were amazing. The reds, greens, browns, pinks, and blues made an underwater rainbow of coral. The stunning fish only added to the already dazzling array of color.
I got to see Nemo and Dorri. That was cool. I tried to take some really good pictures. I would even dive to get as close to the reef as possible and slowly try to sneak up on the exotic creatures. It was incredible how most of the time they didn’t swim away like the fish I have seen in the states. They didn’t seem as scared by our presence.
We swam and swam enjoying every minute of our aquatic adventure. We eventually tired and were as wrinkly as raisins. We made our way back to the boat and one of the guides started the boat motor. We drove through the sea of blue for quite some time then the driver shut off the engine. The guides then heaved and hoed to pull up the sail. Then before you knew it the wind caught the sail and we were now being propelled by the natural power of the wind. We relaxed and the guide gave us each a beverage of our choice. Lindsey and I once again enjoyed a cold Safari beer. We sat there watching the sail in awe. The once rough waters being churned by the motor fighting the waves now were soft and gentle. The boat flowed gracefully and effortlessly through the waves, the water now being at peace with our sailing boat.
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