Zanzibar

Last week Erin and I met with two other JMV volunteers in Dar Es Salaam and headed to Zanzibar for a few days.  Anthony and Helen are working in Zambia, Anthony working on a school radio project for children living in isolated areas, and Helen (a retired GP) helping to run and develop an HIV/ AIDS clinic in Lusaka.  It was great to catch up, hear what they’ve been up to enjoy beautiful Zanzibar together. 

Zanzibar although officially part of Tanzania, has its own government and feels completely different due to its Arabic history.  We spent two nights in Stone Town where I loved roaming round in the maze of allies, spotting Zanzibar doors, cute little shops and groups of people hanging out, playing games or just watching the world go by.  We also discovered an amazing massage place using local, traditional mixes of flowers and spices.  Apart from being heavenly, it was great to see the owners employing both a blind and a deaf masseuse – I’m aware that people with disabilities often get a particularly raw deal in Tanzania.  

From Stone Town we went on one of the almost compulsory ‘spice tours’ which was really interesting – particularly impressed to see the giant cocoa pods!   We then headed to Jambiani beach on the East coast for a few days.  There’s nothing I love more than lying in the sun with a good book and this was a particularly stunning location to do just that...  We did venture out with Captain Zappy in his locally made catamaran for a spot of snorkelling at the edge of the reef and Erin & I both indulged in a henna tattoo, but nothing too strenuous!  The hotel we were staying at made a real effort to benefit the local village.  Captain Zappy and the henna lady were two examples, we dealt directly with them and the money they make helps to support their families.   A reminder of the importance of ‘ethical travel/ tourism.’