Fri 20th. After breakfast I wandered down to the ferry and found that Lizzie was booked on the 9:30 as well. At least I found out that it was comments like..”it was fun travelling with a beautiful young lady” that made her uneasy. To me that was just paying her a compliment , but at least things came to a head very early on.
We docked in Zanzibar after an hour and three quarters (very comfortable seat on the ferry), and I made my way to Aurelia. Nice to see everyone, and I even had a chat with the owner. I had misunderstood Hassan on the room price, and instead of 55,000 it was 65,000tsh. When I saw that a friend of the owner was paying 70,000, I figured that actually I got a good deal…it should’ve been 80,000. This time I was in 302 on the 3rd floor, right at the top.
There’s not going to be a lot of variety in my daily activities, especially as I’ve decided not to go to a touristy beach area. I went to Paje last month and was considering Nungwi in the north of the Island….but money is a little tight, and at the end of the day it’s another beautiful beach. Next time.
So, much walking around Stone Town and getting lost !! I ate a delicious urojo..zanzibar mix. Went to Patamu, my favourite pub. From there to Travellers café, but no sunset. Went back via Forodhani Gardens; it was dark and there was a good atmosphere, but I wasn’t tempted by the slightly expensive food. I think I just finished off my snacks in my room.
Sat 21st. Not only are the Aurelia rooms very comfortable but their breakfast is amazing. This time I noticed there isn’t real milk on offer, just powdered.
I walked down to the waterfront. It really is so picturesque…the palm trees, the cafes, the outdoor seating, the gardens…and all surrounded by old Arabic buildings, some in need of major renovation. Mark has put the idea of flying to Arusha from here, instead of enduring all that bus travelling time, so I started making initial enquiries at a couple of travel agents. I spent a short time at the beach. Oh, and there are 2 yellow mini subs available for hire now; something like $69 for 2 hours and $99 for 3 hours…not sure how far out they go.
After another shower I went to Patamu at 14:30 to watch live English football. I also met Renier who sold his business in Germany and is opening up a company here, so that he can live in Zanzibar for the rest of his life. I went to Travellers café for a happy hour beer and to watch the nice sunset. Returned to Patamu to watch the later match. There was yet another game after that at about 19:30, and thought to try Maru Maru Htl to watch it. Very fancy..4 floors..rooftop restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Just missed happy hour, so just had the one beer at 7,000. On the way back to my room I had some pieces of street stall squid dipped in a tasty chilli sauce.
Sun 22nd. The breakfast this time included spring rolls and little chapatis with a pizza like topping. Spent quite a bit of time at the beach. Took some nice pics of boats. Showered. Went walkabout and ended up at the urojo stall on the main road. Patamu, of course. Skipped Travellers and went straight to Maru Maru. I was there in time for Happy hour and to watch the second half of an English football match. Was surprised at how many hotel guests there were. Very busy and seemed to be well run. I bought a packet of Indian snacky things to munch on in my room. Not that nice, too soft, not crunchy.
Mon 23rd. Had a ginger tea just around the corner…a big mug for less than 20p…have been given the name Makame by Juma Kahawa; don’t know the signficance of it.
I found a travel agent manned by Tanga people and discussed flying Znz to Arusha. Took lovely photos trying to incorporate flowers. Patamu was followed by Travellers and a beautiful sunset. One of the submarines went by with people dancing on it…obviously used for parties as well…very small parties..!! Well, I assumed they were partying and not waving for Help. !!! Had rice and beans for dinner for 2,000 (70p) and retired to my room.
Tues 24th. Large breakfast as usual, after which I went back to travel agency. The $60 flight ticket translated to 153,000tsh, which was £50, and as I was prepared to pay up to 170,000….I went for it.
I walked up the road that leads out of the city and looked inside an indoor mall. Something different to look at…big, clean and much more expensive shops I presume. On the way back there was a torrential downpour; I had my umbrella with me but still had to shelter in a shop doorway for half an hour.
I then walked towards the waterfront, stopping for urojo along the way . There was another downpour. But that made my timing just right to go and pick up my plane ticket …checking carefully that it was for Thurs 26th at 13:00.
From there it was close by to Patamu and and a good chat with Renier and Arun. After they left I got chatting to someone who had been born in Znz and was married to an American lady. I skipped Travellers as it was so overcast and therefore no sunset.
I stopped for some squid street food and had a packet of chevda,crispy things in my room.
Wed 25th. A chill day really. Breakfast included samosas today; the pastry was slightly overcooked…picky. I paid for my last day and took advantage of moving down to the 1st floor; the 3rd seemed to be taking its toll on my left calf…all those uneven steps.
Walkabout to the waterfront. And back for a ginger tea at my little out of the way place. It was a particularly ‘hot’ one today; perhaps it was the dregs of the thermos.
I relaxed and enjoyed my room with a balcony….and washed a shirt.
I went a few feet across the road to Café Blue for a cappuccino. Cost 3,000 vs 6 or 7,000 near the waterfront. Headed slowly towards Patamu, exploring new streets all the time. By getting lost all the time you discover new streets/places..!!! I just had one beer at Patamu as it suddenly made me feel very tired. One more at Travellers for the sunset. Then I rushed to Maru Maru just in time for the 7pm happy hour deadline. I got lost as usual on the way back but reached an urojo seller just around the corner from my hotel. I ate a couple of squid pieces, so dinner cost me £1.
And back to my room for an earlyish night as I was leaving for Arusha the next day. What a great 6 days in Zanzibar. That was the 4th time in less than a year; I’m really falling in love with the island !!