{"id":8757,"date":"2006-10-26T13:14:00","date_gmt":"2006-10-26T17:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agaaga.khoolbrew.ca\/?p=8757"},"modified":"2022-03-09T16:44:36","modified_gmt":"2022-03-09T21:44:36","slug":"zanzibar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agaaga.khoolbrew.ca\/index.php\/2006\/10\/26\/zanzibar\/","title":{"rendered":"Zanzibar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We had Zanzibar pizza for dinner the other night and talked about our travels there. That prompted me to dig out the photos to show the kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We visited Zanzibar Island between Oct 21 and 26 in 2006, at the end of our two week visit to Kenya and Tanzania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We flew from Arusha, roughly a 2 hr trip. Zanzibar Island itself is only 23 miles from mainland Tanzania.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sights from our little prop plane over the Indian Ocean.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of the many islands in the Zanzibar archipelago, which consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Zanzibar (aka Unguja) and Pemba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Zanzibar is a trading base for the African Lakes region, Arabia, and India; and it was a hub for slave and spice trades.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Zanzibar Island is almost entirely Muslim as it was ruled by Oman for centuries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper, hence Zanzibar’s other name, “the Spice Islands”.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Our ride to Zanzibar Island held a max of 20 passengers. Hoping for no crowds, we chose the Auberge Coco Beach in the tiny village of Jambiani on the southeast coast. The closest town is Paje, about 9 km north.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We arrived during Ramadan, so things were pretty quiet. The closer we got to our hotel, the more serene it became. Turns out we were the only<\/em><\/strong> guests at the place for our stay!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Our home for the next couple of days.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This was such a peaceful and idyllic spot, except for when the tide came in during the night. The waves were deafening and would keep me awake for hours. Neil slept through it all, lucky for him.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Our daily breakfast spot. Every breakfast consisted of one flat pancake, two eggs, half a papaya, and slices of mango. It usually took about 30 mins from the point we ordered to receiving our meal. To this day, Neil and I talk about this being our most memorable (best) breakfasts ever! Given this was before smartphones, we have no pictures of our favourite breakfast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from where we had breakfast. We were the only guests at this place for the duration of our stay. We also only ever saw one guy working here – he checked us in, made our breakfasts, checked us out, and spent the rest of the time in a hammock by the beach. \ud83d\udca4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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That’s a turtle shell behind Neil!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Exploring our little corner of paradise. At this time of day, and during Ramadan, it was deserted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Seeking shade from the heat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This is what it looks like at low tide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This is a ngalawa, the traditional double outrigger canoes in Zanzibar. They are about 6 m long and the sail is made of reused canvas sacks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Modes of transportation on the beach. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Boat repairs and seaweed farming at low tide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This women is bringing in her harvest of seaweed.
Seaweed farming was introduced to Zanzibar island in the late 1980s from the Philippines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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String is tied between two sticks, and seedlings found along the shore and strung on the ropes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Over the years though, there has been a marked decline in seaweed trade due to the increasing water temperatures, which causes the seaweed to grow more slowly or to die. This means, they have to grow the seaweed in deeper waters, but most of the farmers (women and children) cannot swim.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Looking back at shore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Seaweed contains a natural gelling agent that\u2019s used in many products like toothpaste, shampoo, yoghurt, and milkshakes. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ride on the outrigger canoe. The waters are clear and there’s so much to see in the water.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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There are large starfish and sea urchins the size of basketballs – yikes!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The ngalawa hull is usually a hollowed out mango tree. You can see the reused canvas sacks in the sail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It’s apparently quite tricky to sail as it’s almost impossible to tack on these boats.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A dhow – these are traditionally used for trading heavy items like fruit or fresh water.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Same beach, in the sun and just before the rain. [Drag the arrows to see more or less of each photo.]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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We spent hours strolling along the deserted beach – there were no other tourists, or even locals,<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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just baby sea urchins, <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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and starfish, and wee crabs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rains coming.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Baobab trees, aka upside down trees<\/em>. The trees store water in their trunks, and can store up to 120,000 litres. They are very long-lived and can live over a thousand years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beachfront buildings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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See the van?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Exploring \/ getting lost around Stone Town, an ancient city. Its name is from the coral stone used as its main construction material; and architecture is a mix of elements from Arab, Persian, Indian, European, and African cultures.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Stone Town a maze of narrow streets without any cars, as they are too narrow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The balconies with the the ornate carvings are a main feature.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The huge carved wooden doors are very striking . <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We spent one evening watching the sunset at the Africa House Hotel. [Click the arrows to see the rest of the slides.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n