{"id":1681,"date":"2017-01-31T06:00:11","date_gmt":"2017-01-31T04:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/justmeneesha.com\/?p=1681"},"modified":"2021-07-06T11:01:26","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T09:01:26","slug":"zanzibar-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justmeneesha.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/31\/zanzibar-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Holidaying in Zanzibar on a whim and fancy \u2013 Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Holidaying in Zanzibar on a whim and fancy \u2013 Part 2<\/strong><\/h1>\n

If you read my last post (Holidaying in Zanzibar on a whim and fancy \u2013 Part 1), you will know I recently visited this island off the mainland of Tanzania.<\/p>\n

Armed with very little info on what to expect on my holiday, I was completely out of my comfort zone as I negotiated a foreign country, people and customs.<\/p>\n

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A dhow is a traditional boat that is entirely handmade from Mahogany and Mangrove wood.<\/p><\/div>\n

But the experience was phenomenal and I learnt there is something to be said for not over planning.<\/p>\n

The plan was to recharge our batteries, not to over-exert ourselves with sightseeing and activities and to enjoy the local food and culture as much as we could.<\/p>\n

Safari Blue<\/h2>\n

Our second adventure in Zanzibar was what the locals call a Safari Blue. I booked it without explaining to my partner\u00a0in detail what it would entail. The fewer details he had about anything involving swimming in the sea, the better. Suffice to say, he\u00a0thought we were on our way to a picnic on the beach!<\/p>\n

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Snorkeling over a reef in Zanzibar.<\/p><\/div>\n

Depending on the sea that morning, boarding a handmade traditional wooden dhow is an adventure on its own. Tour operators inform you to dress in costumes, carry sunblock and wear flip flops. They\u2019re right about this \u2013 take as little as possible and don\u2019t take anything that could be damaged by water.<\/p>\n

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A sandbank in the middle of nowhere offers a chance to swim, stroll and indulge in good fruit and refreshments.<\/p><\/div>\n

With the wind on our backs, our\u00a0captain could switch off the engine as\u00a0we sailed to a reef where we snorkeled at leisure. Calm seas,\u00a020m visibility and an abundance of sea life around us made for breathtaking snorkeling. The adventurous ones snorkeled all the way to a sandbank not far off, where the boat stopped for fresh fruit and refreshments and bit more swimming.<\/p>\n

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At high tide these rocks are almost entirely submersed.<\/p><\/div>\n

Mangrove lagoon<\/h2>\n

Next stop \u2013 a mangrove lagoon. It was low tide so we could wade or swim through shallow water and enjoy the scenery. There is an abundance of these lagoons around the islands and with their weathered rocks, beautiful\u00a0coral and clear water, they are truly a beautiful sight to take in.<\/p>\n

Word of advice – if you’re venturing out on a Safari Blue, beach shoes are a good investment. Flip flops are convenient, but don’t protect you from the sometimes sharp and dangerous weather beaten rocks.<\/p>\n

Young mangroves growing on a rock formation eroded by the sea.<\/p><\/div>\n

Finally, we stopped on a small island for our lunchtime picnic \u2013 a seafood braai \u2013 and a bit of retail therapy (because wherever there is a tourist there is a chance to sell something). At last the partner got his picnic on the beach and he was not disappointed. Lunch was phenomenal \u2013 the highlight being the braaied lobster and local beer.<\/p>\n

As we rounded off our meal and shopping, the tide began to come in and people began packing up. These islands are almost completely covered by the sea at high tide, and you will only find people on them when a sea tour visits.<\/p>\n

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A lobster braai on an island rounded off a truly memorable sun and sea experience.<\/p><\/div>\n

While we enjoyed the sun, sea and copious amounts of food through the day, I marvelled at how aware people are of preserving their environment. Even cigarette butts get scooped up and taken back to the mainland for proper disposal. The only thing we left\u00a0behind were our footprints on the sand.<\/p>\n

Jambo Bwana<\/h2>\n

As our sun-baked, happy group headed back to Unguja, our tour guides led is in a round of the song you hear everywhere in Zanzibar. With its catchy tune and immortal phrase \u201chakuna matata\u201d (no worries), Jambo Bwana<\/em> (Hello Mister) is an internationally recognised Swahili song that is entrenched in the tourism industry in Zanzibar.<\/p>\n

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A content group after a fantastic day out at sea.<\/p><\/div>\n

Despite our poor voices that could not compare with our guides’ voices, we all joined in. And as 12 people from four different countries sang on that dhow, music truly brought us together in one common voice. A perfect end to a fantastic day.<\/p>\n

Listen to Jambo Bwana <\/em>here:<\/p>\n