Spices and tortoise ( not necessarily together) - Stone Town, Zanzibar



Maybe I am finding my groove as I just walked all the way to the beach fro t for sundown and almost didn't need directions and none of the shopkeepers hassled me.

I am at Livingston's which is named after the famous doctor and quote. The lounge is in the sand. And we are surrounded by the little boats that head back and forth to the islands and a bunch of kids doing backflips off a truck tire. It was cloudy and we had a bit of rain, so not sure about the sunset.

The mojitos are 1/2 price (no rum to speak of) but the fish samosas are delicious. And the kids are quite entertaining.



I had an amazing sleep with air con on so low I had to put on a sweatshirt around midnight. And another nice breakfast up on the rooftop. Tummy is better but did a latte just to be sure.

I met my guide for the two most popular tours - a spice farm (this is the spice island) and Prison Island  (not really much of a prison but a tortoise sanctuary) the spice farm was interesting enough but we picked up a helper early on and it was clear he was entertainment would expecting a tip. We crushed a bunch of leaves and shaved some bark and it was interesting - but hot! The finale was a guy in a palm tree signing. And then we had some coconut water and moved over to the shop! I bought some sample packs so if you are reading, you know your gift. And we actually a fruit smorgasbord including jackfruit which I'm not sure I've ever had - a bit like pineapple.

(Some monkeys and a hat too)

Then we headed back to town and the little boat to Prison Island. Long and short of it, the British considered the idea of housing troublesome slaves here but slavery was outlawed and it never came to pass. However it was used as a quarantine base for incoming travellers. Throughout it all the giant tortoises made a home here and still inhabit it, under conservation. They are giant. Like an upside down wheelbarrow. Some of the barely move while other chomped on lettuce greens. Pretty cool.

 

 

I must say I was suspicious of the guide all day. He clearly was trying to make contact with westerners. I guess we will see where that goes. Hopefully nowhere.

Headed to the northern beach town Nungwi tomorrow for some real R&R.

Overall Stone Town is a nice little town. It's run down and not super pretty but they are working on it. The people are friendly but the hawkers are annoying. It is completely safe and no problem getting lost. There are pockets of western development for the tourists. And there are a lot of us. Not many Americans. Lots of Germans and a few Brits. Apparently Russia is big too.