Arriving via ferry
Looked a bit like a cattle run through immigration, to be honest
The ferry is run by Azam, part of the largest conglomerate in Tanzania, the Bakhresa group of Companies. Bakhresa also owns grain milling, transport, ice cream, other food and more transport. Rather non-sequitur. Apparently representing 4% of Tanzania's GDP; these guys are king. It costs US$ 35 for economy class and US$ 40 for first class, so we decided to splurge. This was a good decision.
While its fantastic to travel just over 2 hours to arrive to Zanzibar, this is some of the choppiest water I've experienced via ferry. Economy class has the reputation of more people getting sick during this ride, so it was a more pleasant experience in general to be surrounded by fewer potential medical casualties.
Arriving to Zanzibar via the port at Stonetown oddly includes a stop at immigration even if traveling under a visa, despite not technically leaving the country of Tanzania -- but if they were to secede, at least they'd have that figured out. (Texas, take notes!)
Kelly, Sara and I started off the day with a spice tour. We traveled by bus about 30 minutes into the island to enter a village and then walk along a dirt path with the guide cutting off different spices that grow in the fields. Young village boys tagged along, using palm reeds to weave necklaces, bracelets, hats, you name it --- for an expected donation. We had ate local fare that came out of a mud hut and was delicious -- and headed back to Stonetown.
Hand-made palm frond basket & hat/lid
True dedication to hunting down spices
Cool hue; not cool hand stains.
Perhaps J Crew's new look: Man capris and palm frond ties for fall
Kelly, me and Sara: loving the spice tour
Wandering through the small streets of Stonetown was far more reminiscent of a European town, than Africa. The change was refreshing, yet reflective more of the city's history than today's local population. Stonetown is particularly dominated by a Muslim population and indicators - both small and large - were prevalent of this culture's dominance throughout the city.
Lots of this along winding streets
A highlight of the afternoon? Drinks at Mercury's -- of the Frank Mercury (famous singer) fame. We ordered a specialty cocktail (this place was far from Muslim, based on the drinks list) - the Obama.
It's a good thing.
The Obama is a delightful concoction of Kanyagi (local cheap rum; drink with caution), vodka, lime juice and honey (with fresh lemon and lime in the glass). It is refreshing and delicious. We could have sat there with pitchers, but we continued to explore the city.
Great building art!
That night we explored the outdoor markets - featuring sea food, grilled meats, and vegetarian dishes. We then headed to a recommended restaurant for Indian, where we had some of the worst Indian food I've ever tasted (an opposite experience from our Dar dining and it would have made Mrs. Batra in Delhi cry) -- but then we returned for a nightcap Obama at Mercury's with live music. The Obama was a redeemer.
Zanzibar open air food market
Showing off his "pholaphel"! (Perhaps its a Thai influence? Likely not.)
I assisted our chef to make my "Zanzibar pizza" - a mix between an omlette and pancake. It was tasty.
After some morning wandering and time by the water, we returned to Dar via the same boisterous ferry.
Streets of Stonetown
A "kanga" is purchased as a two-part piece of fabric to wear as a wrap-around skirt with matching head cover. The prominence of the Obama kanga outside shops was no coincedence in overlapping with Obama's official visit to Ghana. There was much discussion about why Obama didnt come to Tanzania, as he apparently should have, instead.
Pretty great :)
Zanzibar offers far more to explore than expected and remains loyal to its local culture preserved by the strong religious ties. I already look forward to returning again later this summer!
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