Better Late Than Never: New Year's in Zanzibar

The beaches of Zanzibar and the streets of Tanzania provided some much-needed relief from our three days of non-stop travel. The country has a rich culture that blends African and Indian traditions. We spent a night in Dar es Salaam (after finally connecting with Rachel's friend), then took the ferry to Zanzibar. An Indian man was kind enough to walk us from our hotel to the station, and since he knew the man in charge of ship operations, we were able to score a seat in first class (also known as actually air conditioned!). The waters of the Indian Ocean were incredibly clear, and stepping from the boat on to land was like transitioning into a whole different world.


The Indian Ocean


Zanzibar at Dusk


The Perfect Palm Tree, Zanzibar

The buildings of stone town cast shadows over the streets and intricate networks of hidden alleyways laced their way around the city center. Even with my urban sense of direction, I knew if I strayed too far I was bound to get lost. Each morning and every night prayer bells rang and verses could be heard on loudspeakers throughout the city. In the afternoons, men lined the streets at tiny tables covered in small glass cups and hot water kettles, sipping tea and talking about the day's events. A nine-year-old boy ran the cash register across the street from our hotel at a shop that sold only ice cream, take away food and non-alcoholic beer.


A building in Stone Town


A Tea Party on the Streets of Stone Town


Clothes Drying on the Streets of Stone Town


Stone Town Market

We took a Spice Tour our second day on the island. And while a touristy thing to do, it was an easy way to see parts of Zanzibar we might not get to otherwise. Plus, it was interesting to hear about how spices from all over the world ended up on this one tiny island. Our guide picked fresh nutmeg and cocoa. He cut slices of jackfruit, pineapple and creamfruit to taste. We sampled a homemade meal, where Rachel and I broke off from our group of travelers to chat with two ex-pats now living in Rwanda. And while the spices and the farms were pretty incredible (we even saw a boy shimmy up a towering coconut tree!), the best part was the crystal clear waters of the beach. I'd never seen anything so blue or so green or so incredibly beautiful. Plus, we met some fellow Americans (from Michigan, no less)--a youngish couple and their two tween kids, traveling the world together, spending a year abroad.


Lunch on the Spice Tour


On the Beach After the Spice Tour


In the Water After the Spice Tour

After a few days in Stone Town we piled into a Dulah Dulah (which we learned can fit upwards of 50 people and can probably hold nearly a ton strapped to its roof) and headed for Jambiani Beach.


Typical Transport in Zanzibar: The Dulah Dulah (Outside View)


Typical Transport in Zanzibar: Inside the Dulah Dulah (We Fit 48 People Inside!)

It was a last-minute travel decision, as our first-choice beach was booked for the new year. And while we were disappointed at first, it turned out to be utterly amazing. The door to our room opened right onto the beach, and we were able to sit on the porch and watch the incredible tides Zanzibar is famous for both morning and night.

Most of our days were spent wandering the beach and the nearby village, dipping toes in the ocean and collecting seaweed on the beach. We ate fish and rang in the New Year on a cliff over the Indian Ocean. And we even met some Peace Corps Volunteers on holiday from Uganda.


The Village of Jambiani, Zanzibar


Another View of the Village of Jambiani, Zanzibar


A Woman Walking Jambiani Beach


The Beach at Sunset


Me & Dar in Jambiani on New Year's Eve


A Girl Collecting Seaweed in Jambiani