Day 16

The Zanzibar Archipelago

“When you arrive there you will be in another world” they all promised me when talking about the Zanzibar Archipelago. And this is so true indeed. After nine days of safari adventures in the Serengeti, Zanzibar does not feel like it is just around the corner at all. It seemed more as if I arrived on a tropical island. Warm humid air, incredibly opulent vegetation with huge palm trees and every now and than a peek on the amazingly turquoise-blue water of the Indian Ocean - a true paradise!

While Zanzibar seemed to be considerably different from the rest of Tanzania, I however discovered some similarities: On my way from the airport in Zanzibar Town to the Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski we wiggled through the same weird road traffic like on the mainland. Also it seemed that the everyday live happens on the streets here as well. Moreover Zanzibar’s people appealed even more relaxed than their neighbours on the mainland.
Outside the city centre we passed the same traditional huts like on our way to Arusha – except that they mostly use woven palm leaves for the roofs here instead of “chelewa” broom.

History, myths and stories

The driver told me some bits about the long and mystical history of Zanzibar; starting with the first settlers from the mainland, followed by Shirazi traders from Persia and developing into a powerful city-state between the 12th and 15th centuries. The trade with India and Asia as well as the later takeover by the Omani Arabs resulted in a wonderful mixed up culture.

It seems like every place has a little story to tell here. For example as we passed a long mango tree alley amidst some large rice fields the driver told me this alley was not planned for pleasure. Long time ago this way was the path of slaves going to and coming from the rice fields. They used to eat a lot of mangos, spit the seeds to the left and right of the way and voilà: Over years the perfect alley was grown!

The Queen of Sheba

Another story – one of the more mystical kind – tells about the creation of the archipelago itself: When the Queen of Sheba travelled at high seas the sea suddenly spoke to her: “Promise you will return here again.” She promised and as a proof she threw her pearl necklace into the sea. But the sea was a little bit more demanding and said: “That’s not enough.” So the Queen picked her two most precious treasure chests and threw them into the sea. The chests sprang open and from these treasures the magical islands of Zanzibar were formed …

Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski

Some legends later I arrived at the luxury hotel Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski – my home for the upcoming days. Some nice people from the hotel already awaited me. They let me in on the plans for the next days and I found out that there is definitely much more to do on Zanzibar than just relaxing on the white-sanded beach (Even though the beach plan has something also.)

So having some days on Zanzibar after the safari adventures seems to be the perfect complement. Totally relaxing on the one hand and enough to do and see on the other hand.

Special

The Grand Prize Draw letter for today is:

01

Ferry at Zanzibar Town

02

Vegetation on Zanzibar

03

Palm leaves

04

Kids transporting wood

05

Flora and agriculture

06

Landscape on Zanzibar

08

Flora

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Traditional hut

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Palm trees

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Palm trees

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Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski

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Flower decoration in the Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski