Zanzibar sits in the Indian Ocean 50 km off the coast of mainland Tanzania. The Zanzibar Archipelago consists of two large islands (Zanzibar and Pemba) and several smaller ones. These islands produce cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper and are commonly known as the Spice Islands. Zanzibar and Tanganyika united in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania.
As none of our little group had been to Zanzibar before, we were happy to have been given a contact with a young guide, Oti, through a friend. Our new friend/guide met us at the airport with a van, driven by his friend, to take us to our hotel, which was run by another friend of his. The first afternoon our friend, Oti, arranged f
or a different friend to take us on a walking tour around Stone Town. Stone Town is a maze of narrow alleyways lined with old buildings used as homes, shops and mosques. Many of the buildings in these alleys, often too narrow for cars, have the famous and beautiful Zanzibar doors. It would be very easy to get lost in Stone Town without a friend.The next day we set out on a boat, captained by a friend of our friend, Oti, to do some snorkeling and see the tortoises on Prison island. These Aldabra Giant Tortoises weigh up to 250 kg and can live over 100 years. We enjoyed feeding them big bunches of leafy green stuff and rubbing their leathery necks. They are very friendly!
Day 3 we were driven by Chichi, our friend from the hotel, in his friend's car, up to the north shore to catch another boat captained by . . . . . his cousin. What a day that was! Snorkeling in the warm turquoise Indian Ocean, having a lunch of fresh tuna on the white sand beach and sailing in the dhow.
We would have loved another day or two on the beach but it was time to leave. After saying goodbye to our friend at the hotel, our other friend called his friend with the van and they took us back to the airport.
It is so nice to have friends on Zanzibar.
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