5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

All aboard!  This ferry is headed to Zanzibar so as soon as these peeps get their buns on board we’re off. 

I have heard nothing but great things about Zanzibar so I cannot wait to get there and see for myself. In addition to taking in the spectacular scenery, relaxing on the beach, and mingling with the local people I am counting the minutes until I get to luxuriate on a proper bed! That’s right folks, we’ll be staying in a hotel for the next 4 days in Zanzibar and I’m so excited I can barely stand it.

Our ride to Zanzibar definitely started off on the right note when we learned that Janet got us hooked up with an upgrade to the 1^st class section of the ferry, which means air conditioning, baby! Oh yeah, bring it on. I cannot even begin to describe the elation that spread through the group upon the delivery of this truly wonderful news. We were all at our breaking points after the epic journey from Malawi so we were more than ready for some creature comforts and a lil’ luxury. Janet, you are the bomb!

Our first stop in Zanzibar was beautiful and historic Stone Town.

We immediately headed for our hotel to drop our bags and sloth on our beds until our little hearts were content. After some mega relaxation in the room, Line and I ventured into the town to do a little sight seeing, shopping and of course eating! We met up with our crew at Africa House, which has the most fantastic balcony overlooking the sea, just in time for sunset.

After enjoying a few frosty beverages and taking in yet another spectacular sunset we headed over to the night market to chow down on some delicious food!

The next morning we were up bright and early to head to Nungwi, which is undeniably one of the most spectacular beaches I have ever visited both for it’s stunning scenery as well as it’s intensely rich culture. I really cannot stop gushing about this place, but before you get to see it for yourselves, we must first visit a spice plantation. I’ve been on a handful of spice tours in my year + on the road, but this is the first tour where we were given grass accessories,

a serenade from the top of a palm tree,

as well as samples of all the tasty fruit. I’m not going to lie, the mango I had here was the best mango I have ever eaten and because I was so enthusiastic about this mango I even got seconds. That’s right, peeps, a little enthusiasm goes a long way. OK, I admit that I don’t really do little in the enthusiasm about food department, but I think we can all agree that gratitude is a good thing.

Here are some pics from the tour. Does anyone know what this is?

If you said ginger you are correct. And can anyone tell me one of the things ginger is known to enhance?

It’s something that will put a smile on your face.

For those of you with your mind in the gutter, congratulations, you nailed it. According to our guide, ginger is known to enhance “horizontal refreshment” so remember next time you are making dinner for your special someone, add some ginger. You’re welcome.

After the spice tour we powered on to the beach. Not far now…

When we arrived we learned there was some kind of a mess up with our rooms, but the error was in our favor and we ended up in these gorgeous rooms overlooking the sea complete with a balcony and air conditioning. I know I don’t have to tell you, but I will, I was in complete and utter ecstasy.

Quite a step up from tents, huh? Enough talking, let’s bask in the breath taking beauty of this place.

After doing the happy dance to my favorite booty rap jams,

I busted over to the restaurant

for some lunch and in the process, made a new friend.

With my full belly I headed back to my balcony to drool on myself and take in some more of the gorgeous scenery.

Don’t you love it?! Literally, everywhere I looked something beautiful or interesting was happening, especially in or on the sea.

These women looked so majestic as they dragged the fishing nets through the water.

I just loved seeing the Maasai warriors walk along the beach.

Before I knew it the sun was already setting.

What a spectacular day! I can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow.  Good night, Birgit.

Day 2 in Paradise:

After swimming, lounging and eating I decided to take a walk along the beach and visit some of the Maasai shops along the way. I’m so glad I did too because I met so many wonderfully kind people.

Allow me to introduce you to my first new friend, Barak.

When he found out I was from the United States he actually let out a scream, enthusiastically clapping his hands and doing the happy dance while telling me that, like our President, his name was Barak (spelled differently) and he loved the US and Barack Obama! Not only did he name his shop after the President

but he also wore an American flag necklace that he made himself along with a Barack Obama yes we can keychain around his neck!

It was without a doubt one of my favorite I’m proud to be an American moments I’ve had on this trip. Barak and I chatted it up for a while and even exchanged email addresses.

Believing that personal touches matter and miracles can happen, I forwarded Barak’s email address and pictures to a friend of mine who is no stranger to the White House on the off chance that these pics and the story of one of the President’s most ardent supporters from across the globe might make its way to the right people and somehow Barack might receive a reply from the White House thanking him for his support. It certainly cannot hurt to try, right?  Fingers crossed, friends.

Here is another friend I made who went by the name of Luca Air Conditioned Shop. He was hysterical and so proud of his clearly air conditioned shop.

I could have continued yapping with these guys until nightfall, but I had to say my goodbyes so I could jump in the shower and make it on time for the beach wedding we were throwing for 2 of our fellow travelers who had recently gotten engaged.

Of course the bride cannot see her groom until she’s walking down the beach so the girls and boys separated to get ourselves into a celebratory mood. 

You remember Line, my skydiving buddy!

These are my German buddies.  The lady to my left is Caroline AKA my secret pal who hooked me up with awesome jewelry for the holidays. 

And here’s our chief, chief, chief…Janet!  Yay Janet!!! 

We even had a mother of the bride,

music,

and a priest?

The vows were exchanged just in time for sunset. These photos are courtesy of Gan.

Woo Hoo!!!

Yay for the happy couple and hooray for another spectacular sunset. I really just can’t get enough of these.

After the wedding we headed further down the beach for a BBQ (insert the jingle, I want my baby back, baby back, baby back ribs…barbeque sauce) and who should go walking by, but my friend, Wendy, who I met on my Egypt and Jordan trip. No way!!!

I knew Wendy was living in Zanzibar, but she was in Stone Town so my hope was to catch up with her tomorrow when we returned to Stone Town. As luck would have it, Wendy was up north with her friends and just happened to be walking along the beach where we were having dinner. What a small world!! I love it. We screamed our faces off for a few minutes, hugged incessantly, and then gained our composure briefly enough to catch up on the past few months before hugging and screaming some more. How wonderful!

As if I wasn’t feeling all warm and fuzzy after running into a friend, I took it up a notch with this adorable puppy.

Of course we all had to take turns holding the puppy and then it was time for a little bit of this

and a whole lot of dancing. My night got even better when Luca Air Conditioned shop showed up.  You know we busted some serious moves on the dance floor. What a fun New Year’s Eve Eve.

The next morning we headed back down to Stone Town for some more sight seeing and chillaxing before our New Year’s celebration.

Can anyone tell me which famous and larger than life singer was from Stone Town?  Here’s a little clue for you. 

If you said Freddie Mercury, you are correct and should raise your arms in triumph while singing We Are the Champions.

There is also a bar named after him where Line, Birgit and I enjoyed some lunch before continuing our sight seeing extravaganza.

Stone Town is a wonderful place, but it has a history that makes one shudder.

It is estimated that slaves were sold in Zanzibar between 1830-1873. How horrifying to think that this was ever considered an option or even remotely acceptable in any way, shape or form.

Many of the homes near the slave market had holding cells in the basement. Hideous!

Today, Stone Town is beautiful with narrow alleys, interesting architecture, colorful markets, and warm and friendly people.

I’ve never seen this many dried octopuses or octopode in one place.  Yes, I had to look up the plural of octopus.  There seems to be quite a bit of rage surrounding the incorrect use of octopi so if you’ve been throwing that word around cut it out because it apparently drives people nuts. 

 

How about a closer look at these octopode. 

Did you know that an octopus is the most intelligent invertebrate?  Here’s a story that supports that fun fact.  My brother, Rob, did an internship in Bermuda and one of his many duties involved studying the octopus’ ability to solve puzzles.  Rob’s octopus was a bit crotchety in her old age, and to the extent possible for an octopus, conveyed with every fiber of her being her extreme distaste for these stupid and humiliating puzzles.  She would confine herself to the corner of her container refusing to even consider such a demeaning endeavor and then out of boredom or pity for my poor brother would nonchalantly make her way towards the puzzle and solve it in about 2 seconds flat. 

In addition to being a bit cranky, she was also notoriously cunning, making several attempts to secure her freedom.  Armed with this knowledge, Rob dutifully ensured that the lid was affixed securely each night, but apparently we humans are no match for a determined, angry, and crafty octopus.  Rob arrived at work one morning and discovered that his octopus had escaped.  They searched the grounds extensively, but never found a body.  There was a drain that led to sea not far from her enclosure so the assumed outcome is that the octopus is now enjoying her freedom back in the sea. Crazy, huh?  Who knew octopuses were so smart?  I guess we do now. 

Where were we?  Oh yes, Stone Town. 

It’s an easy place to be and time just seems to disappear. Before I knew it, the sun was beginning to set

and the countdown to 2011 was underway. We had a delicious dinner complete with fire dancers and snake charmers, but what made my night even better was another unexpected reunion with a friend.

Yep, it’s Amar! Woo Hoo! I knew Amar and I were going to be in Tanzania at the same time, but we had already done the math and realized that we’d miss each other in Zanzibar by one day so you can imagine my surprise when I heard someone call my name and turned around and saw Amar standing there. Wow! Of all the bars in Zanzibar we just happened to be at the same one. As it turns out Amar’s tour leader got the group to agree to a punishing day of travel so that they could celebrate the new year in Zanzibar instead of Dar es Salaam. Obviously the group was fully supportive of an extra day in Zanzibar, especially NYE. Two unexpected reunions in two days….what a small, small world. I love it!

Amar and I spent the next few hours catching up on our African adventures and rang in the new year with a toast on the beach. Goodbye 2010 and thank you for a truly unforgettable year. I am filled with an overwhelming gratitude for the many gifts I have received during this wonderful, eye opening, and awe inspiring journey. While I’ve still got a long way to go, I can tell that some healing has taken place because I can actually refer to myself as someone who feels grateful, lucky, and appreciative again. After my mom’s passing I had a very difficult time with these words because I definitely didn’t feel any of those things and while I obviously don’t feel any of them with respect to losing my mother, I can see the rays of sunshine again and truly believe that the future is going to be a bright one.

A huge thank you to my friends and family who have stayed in touch and been my champions along the way. My world is a better place because of you and I wish you all health, happiness, inspiration, and love in the new year.

Here’s to you!

Next stop is the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater so get fired up for some serious wildlife action, friends!

Big 5 or bust!!!