Coming from Africa i knew what to expect from Tanzania. Although filthy, corrupt and very very poor there is something in my African blood that makes me appreciate its unique way of life. The buzz of markets, the smell of burning fire wood, the loud african languages, the diverse people and so much more. Africa is a place that makes you proud be part of it. Put aside all its problems and whatever else the rest of the world judges it for, it’s a place where magic doesn’t even come close to what you can find in Africa.
Dar Es Salaam isn’t a place i wanted to spend much time in so i was there for a day waiting for Mr D to arrive and once he got there we were on the next ferry across to Zanzibar. Squeezed in among kids, woman, men, chickens, bags and god knows what else, not to mention i had to be in a long dress as we need to remember this place is very Muslim although locals dont like to admit that it is the majority of peoples religion in Zanzibar (i found that weird).
Ferry ride wasnt fun i get very sea sick on a ferry which is so weird as im fine on a normal boat. You canot miss this island its like something out of a holiday brochure. Approaching it you start to see the rings of Aqua Aqua blue water surrounding its shores, the baby powder white beaches, the palm trees swaying lazily in the breeze. It’s hot, sticky and oh so lovely.
The actual town it’s self is a very strange place. Stone Town. Obviously a tourist hub its one half is still very much local and the other very much catering for tourism. We stayed at a place called African House and all i can say is this hotel has something so magical about it. It’s all been kept in its origional Arabic decortaion, lanterns, swirling paintings, carved furniture, even it’s Shisha lounge where smoke bellows in every delicious flavour. The bar looks out over the calm waters and hyponitses your feelings. This is what i call paradise.
The narrow cool alley ways crowded with the happiest children, busy stalls with all sorts of zanzibar crafts, spices, bright colourful fabrics. It’s a surreal place. The stalls are run by pushy hagglers whom i swear are convinced foreigners are made of money I found it intimmidating and annoying to point after a day i was done. after a yummy healthy breakfast of the sweetest fruits and freshest eggs it was time to get out of the hussel.
We decided on the way to Matemwe we would do i spice tour. Zanzibar is an island that is huge in export of spices, mainly cloves and cinnamon they call them the king and queen of spice. It was unbleivable from vanilla to pepper from bitter to sweet. Who knew spices could be so amazing. I drank vanilla coffee with the locals of the farm, and admired their calm peaceful lifestyle. After a few hours i was tired and just wanted to get to Matemwe.
Our driver Noah didnt stop teaching us the whole trip, his small secrets of local life while he played his arabic tunes. He taught us why local school kids wear different colours to others, how corrupt the governent was, who he supports etc.. Finally a dirt road opened and a small town, Matemwe, round the corner my eyes widened at the most amazing beach i have ever seen. This long white palmed beach with the bluest water. Our hotel was set on a small cliff that when the tide went out the beach became even longer, covered in crabs and sea life.
Life in Matemwe is so slow, the woman collect seaweed while the men fish and sail on their Dhow boats. At sunset their shadows highlight the water, and everything goes silent. The brightest moon shines and you sleep the deepest sleep from drinking too much wine and eating too much good food.
My days were spent exploring the beaches, taking pictures and just not thinking about anything. On day two we decided to book Scuba Diving. A guy called Frank looked after us, a man with the biggest happiest smile i have ever seen. I asked him if he ever got bored, he laughed and said ‘how can you get bored of this?’. I turned around to what he was looking at and it was just blue open sea with a blazing sun and thought dumbest question ever Paige.
I dived with wild dolphins, floated above sleepy sea turtles and discovered all sorts fish i had never seen. At 28 meters i kneeled on the sand below and looked up at this world of colours and shimmers, i fell in love with Zanzibar at that point. I was exhausted after several days of diving twice a day and every night was an early one.
Its an amzing place id suggest to anyone to visit. It amkes you appreciate how lucky we are to have what we do as a first world country but also the quality of life you will never get over here.
Its so special and so beautiful that when you come home and close your eyes even when you hearing the London sirens, you will feel a craving to go back to the island of magic…..
Paige x
