December 16 Zanzibar Tanzania

Today we headed for the Mbweni Ruins and Hotel site. Not that far away and should not have taken long to walk but got lost so took almost an hour. We ended up having a policeman show us the way. Very nice as I expected just directions, but he walked us to the gate. I think that he had to ask a couple of times along the way! But we made it.

The ruins are a chapel and old Arab house dating to the 1800s. They are on the grounds of a 13 room hotel.

The grounds are huge! They are right on the beach so we had a quick look at the ruins and then to beach. For an entry fee you get a free drink and a chair for the day. We had lunch and a drink and lounged. The tide was out when we arrived. It goes out a long way but by the time 6 pm got there the water had come up a long way and was deep enough to swim. When the tide was out you had to go a long way out but it was through sea grass that was full of sea urchins.....I did not want to step on one of them so did not spend much time in water!

Today was sunny all day.... the sun is very hot! But still nice.

We had dinner at the restaurant and then went to catch a taxi back to hotel. Turns out the General Manager was waiting for one as well so he gave us a ride! Very nice. He is South African and has been in Tanzania for 3 years. The hotel used to be owned by a SA company but the Marriott chain bought them out recently.
A great day!


December 15 Zanzibar Tanzania

Poured rain all morning and into early afternoon. Just sat and watched the rain! Very nice.
Then when stopped I headed out for a walk up the street. I found a place that sells ground coffee! Wow what a discovery! I went in and they have coffee packages as well as machines. I found some and it smells great. I thought a 135 gram package at 1700 shillings was very expensive so just went to buy 1 to try it..... I ended up getting it free! Bonus! Actually 1700 shillings is less than $1! Brain was not working! I will have to go back for more a the hotel only has instant!

On return I stopped at a Korean bake shop... lots of good things here as well, including nice coffee. I had a coffee then bought some things..... cinnamon rolls, pizza donuts and cupcakes... this is supper! In the end they gave me a free cream filled bun! Wow what a day of freebies! hahahahh All good and especially the eating of the fresh stuff! All very good.

A very slow relaxing day but that is ok.... we have been on the go and there is no rush to see everything here!


December 14 Zanzibar Tanzania

The plan was to get to bank to get money for hotels.....no one takes credit cards only cash. We did find a bank, after a few tries that would give us US $. Good thing as it would have cost 2 million shilling.... and the highest bill is 10,000... so it would have been a lot of bills.

We got the money and then walked into Stone Town for lunch. We ended up at the Mercury restaurant.....dedicated to

Freddie Mercury. Apparently he was born here and spent a few years here but then moved. Great place, good food, and right on the water! We have been here 3 days and I have had fish 4 or 5 times! Marlin, kingfish, red snapper life is good!

Walked a bit more into Stone Town and came across the Dhow Countries Music Academy. This is housed in the Old Customs House. Another beautiful building that dates back to mid 1800s.

There was a concert at 4 pm so went for coffee and then back to listen. We were met by the Music Director who is from New Jersey. Great voice and when the guys friends joined in it was great... but there was a definite political message to the music.
Decided to stick around Stone Town for a Traditional concert later. Dinner at small cafe along the sea wall.....entertaining again as the local boys were showing off their diving styles again. Not as busy as the night before but still good.

The traditional music was great. 6 band members and a male and female singer. 2 violins, 2 manolin type instruments and a then a harp that sits on the players knee! This did not finish until about 9. Walked back to bus stop, about 15/20 minutes and caught the bus back! Well the bus was packed, 23/24 or 25 people in a 15 seat van.... heads in armpits packed! People standing, sort off! Good thing not a long ride!