Zanzibar was just amazing. We had two wonderful days on the beach and could easily have spent a handful more (though thankfully for our bank balance we didn't). We went to stone town, did a spice tour and it was fantastic to see the raw products of so many things I use in my cooking on a daily basis. Seeing the slave market was interesting, but a shame the site isn't being invested in an maintained as a sight of such importance in Zanzibar's history. But it was being in stone town for “Eid al-Adha” has been a real highlight of my tour thus far. We were at the night market after having a few drinks during sunset at Africa house when we discovered masses of people dressed up in their brightest and beautiful attire celebrating together in the square. Such a family friendly atmosphere – children were running about, playing and making that wonderful sound that kids make when they are happy. The colour – the women wore such beautiful attire – I am so disappointed with my photos – so I'll have to make a conscious effort to keep the colours vivid in my memory. The food was amazing – locals and foreigners eating in droves from the market stalls. I had a Zanzibar pizza and a falafel which were both pretty amazing. Afterwards Bernard and I retired early to the hotel room and fell asleep whilst watching Kung Fu Panda on his laptop. It was a pretty blissful day.
The next day we went back to Dar Es Salam in the most impossible humidity I have ever experienced. The entire bus didn't sleep well that night at all – no relief from the heat in our tents – we were all up before the call to prayer – tired and extremely grumpy. We drove over twelve hours that day to a farm house half way between Dar & Lake Malawi. The farm house was a big estate that grew all types of produce. Bernard and I upgraded and slept a blissful sleep in our hut. It was the cruelest thing Mark & Lindy have done to us thus far on tour – making us wake up at 5am and leave the comfort of those beds!!!
Yesterday after another relatively long day and a border crossing we arrived at Lake Malawi. Bernard and I bought a Malawi table. I found the one I liked and Bernard was responsible for the haggling. He was at a stalemate with the man for nearly half an hour – Bernard sent me away within three minutes because my haggling technique wasn't good enough! I slept relatively well last night and we are now at Kande beach and will be here for a few days longer. My tummy has been (touch wood – a lot of wood) really good this week. A full week happiness it has been. My mood is fabulous at the moment. We're half way into our stay in Africa and I'm feeling good, so its not a bad way to be at all.
No comments:
Post a Comment