Our bus ride from Arusha (to Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam) included the usual absurdity -teaming masses of people and animals, corrupt policemen and rock-hard bus seats.In Tanzania, perhaps more than any other country I have been to, I am struck by the absolute kindness of people. Traveling as two young, white women - one with zero Swahili skills, one with conversational skills - you put yourself at the absolute mercy of strangers.I suppose I dwell on it here

Anyways, we arrived at our hostel and quickly learned that all electricity was out on the island, and had been for a few days … such is Africa. While it made for an absolutely sweltering night under our mosquito nets, it actually was quite beautiful to eat dinner on the water by candlelight.

We grabbed a cab the next morning and took off for a different part of Zanzibar, excited to experience the pearly white beaches and crystal waters we had both read about in the guidebook.To make a long story short … the beach was super disappointing. Determined not to let it get our spirits down, we decided to go for a walk instead … and quickly managed to get detained by the Tanzanian Navy for wandering onto their naval base.Let's just say they were definitely not the most forgiving of people, but let us away with a warning.

Needless to say, next time Cate and I go to Zanzibar we want to stay in a hotel we found that is on its own private island. It's a good deal too - only $1,000/night! One day …