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Paradise in Zanzibar!
But first I had to spend 1 night in Dar es Salaam, and it was the first city I disliked that much... It is dirty, crowded, and most importantly very unsafe. Everyone tells you to trust no one and to leave all your valuables at the reception, as they are not even safe in your own single room. Furthermore you are given a map where half of the streets are marked as 'unsafe, do not go here!'. And when you do dare to walk around in town, each and every man will say something to you. I was very happy to leave on the first ferry the next morning!
As there have been 2 major ferry accidents in the past years, I made sure to buy a return ticket with the most expensive company, so no worries :)
So I met 2 Spanish girls on the ferry, and they had heard some horrible stories about the danger and unsafety of Stone Town, which is the city you arrive in. We decided to make our way up to Nungwi directly, which is all the way north of Zanzibar.
And when we arrived, it was clear this is how paradise should look like.
Wauw! I had never seen such a beautiful beach and ocean view. And after some negotiations we even managed to get a basic three people room for 6 nights for less than 5 euro's per person. Finally I arrived in cheap Africa!
Our days are mostly spend on the beach (again, hehe), and with white beaches and blue ocean? Don't need much more! Although, maybe a bit of shade.. Because it is hot hot hot here!
The only real annoyance are the beachboys though. It is impossible to walk around or sit down for 5 minutes and not have some locals trying to force you in buying something. They first come to you for a high five or box, than start asking for your name, country and place of accomodation, and eventually ask you to have a look at their 'shop', a plastic groceriebag hanging under their arm. When you say no thank you, they'll argue they have 'good price'. When you say you are not interested, they say they have 'good price'. When you start ignoring them, they eventually go away by saying, 'maybe tomorrow!'. And come back in the afternoon.
This all takes about 5 minutes every time, and when one finally leaves the next one shows up. Yes it is highly annoying.
Food here is quite interesting as well. Service is much better than in Mozambique, thank god, but their menu is funny. They either serve international dishes for international prices starting at 12 euro's, especially at all those fancy lodges and resorts all around here. But when you ask for the local dish, you get rice and meat curry for 1 or 2 euro's. And it is delicious! Plus we have found a local restaurant that combines international dishes with local prices: I am finally eating for 3 euro's pp.
I have also done my first 2 real open water scuba dives, and managed to see another turtle, an octopus and very rare, a sea horse! Beautiful!
But no worries, it is still very African here. Instead of using terms like 'African Time' (meaning it could be any time, really), they use the terms 'Pole pole' or 'Hakuna Matata'. Exactly, meaning: don't worry, take it easy and relax. Unfortunately it is used as the all time excuse for anything. Late for 2 hours? Hakuna Matata. Your toilet doesn't flush? Hakuna Matata. You don't want to be harrased every 5 minutes? Hakuna Matata!
We also did a spice tour of about 3 hours, and clearly we grew up in cities.. We barely managed to identify 2 fruits/spices, oops! And after a delicious fruit tasting session, we drove around the east coast with our very own chauffeur. Interesting that he is pulled over every 10 minutes to give some cash to the police officer.
There are also a lot of Masei people all the way from Arusha, and the men have 3 businesses: shops, security/guard and italian women. Yes, italian women! We first though it was a joke, but after a quick look around it is clearly their most profitable business.. I'll leave out the details! Just now I arrived in Uganda, where I will meet Elke this afternoon. And that will be my last leg of my trip.. It has been amazing, and I am very much looking forward to spend my last week with my best friend so far away from home. This might be my last blog from Africa, as I have little hope for more internet in Uganda, and it is only 9 more days!So for now, see you all soon and much love!
- comments
Any I was in Nungwi in january and I Will never forget the colors, the sand, the beach, is a paradise! One of the most beautiful places...and I'm agree with you about the masai (that are false masai)...and...I'm italian