Zanzibar
Tomorrow we head to the Tanzanian mainland after about 10 days on Zanzibar – an island off the coast of Dar Es Salaam which was it’s own country until the 60s when it ran out of money and decided to join forces with Tanganyika to become Tanzania.
Our first 5 nights were spent in Stone Town – an old colonial relic that has a huge amount of life. The people are lovely and life moves at a pretty relaxed pace. We spent a day out at ‘Prison Island’ just off the coast where we snorkelled and then fed a 185 year old Giant Tortoise, one of about 100 on the island. Think about that, born in 1825!
Another day we hired a car and drive the entire length of Zanzibar. The highlight was a nature reserve we went to which was littered with Red Columbus Monkeys. The drive back took us into night time which proved to be much more stressful than I’d like it to be (I was driving and it was very hard to see!).
Christmas was a blast with lots of eating and drinking in nice hotels, Swahili Carols and an endless supply of buffets.
On Boxing day we moved to a resort in Matemwe. It’s a little place right on the beech with a swimming pool and really good food. The last 5 days here could not have been more relaxing.
From tomorrow we’re well and truly on the go for the first time. Dar Es Salaam for New Years then up to Lushoto and Moshi (at the foot of Kilamanjaro). From there it is up to Arusha to begin our Safari which will take us into the Serengeti and surrounds.
Until then.