We never thought we would end up there, in Zanzibar. It sounded a little too much like a dream. Maybe a little too much like a animal dream. But then what happened ...
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Unrest in Kenya
We booked cheap flights to Nairobi and packed our backpacks. The year was 2007 and it was Christmas time. People were dressed up in their best clothes and wished us 'Merry Christmas'. But the elections, which were about to start, escalated into savage violence (another story) and we managed to get a taxi to Tanzania.
We crossed the border on foot, without even having a guidebook... So started a dramatic journey, through a normally beautiful and peaceful Kenya. We, who never planned to go to Tanzania, ended up there. We started the journey to Tangabefore we decided to travel to Zanzibar.
By bus and boat to Zanzibar
We took a bus to Dar es Salaam and then a boat to Zanzibar. What a dream! Here were the paradise beaches we otherwise mostly saw in pictures. Here were the palm trees, the turquoise blue water and the quiet boat trips.
Sun, swimming and water sports
Zanzibar may be a destination for sunbathing and swimming, but its beaches are also ideal for water sports such as kite surfing. You can fish, dive and make excursions to different islands. We made a trip to an island where there were lots of giant turtles.
Stonetown
There are also guided tours of the spice farms, and of course you can visit Stonetown, the small stone town where Freddy Mercury grew up. Although the most beautiful beaches are not next to the town, we found a cosy hotel, consisting of small houses on the waterfront.
Travelling to Zanzibar
We can highly recommend Zanzibar, and if you're willing to travel light and book excursions on the spot, it doesn't have to be insanely expensive. You can book flight tickets directly to Zanzibar, or fly to Dar es Salaam, and from there take the boat out to the island.
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BP says:
Zanzibar is on our to do list... Also. Have only read positive about the island! Oh the smell of the spices attracts, the turtles too for that matter:-) But the drama that you were involved in I think we skip;-)
14 October 2013 - 8:20
Mrs Eriksson says:
Ooooo... I've been there... It's lovely 😀.
Thank you for letting me relive a bit through your beautiful photos <3
/Kram Kram
14 October 2013 - 10:39
Ditte says:
What drama and adventure for you! But it went well anyway!
I would love to go to Zanzibar, I also want to see more of Africa. South Africa is also on my list of countries/places I would like to visit. Probably have to get going now ...
Wonderful photos!
14 October 2013 - 11:00
Annika says:
It's crazy nice in Zanzibar! High-level paradise!
14 October 2013 - 12:03
Horns says:
What an adventure! How nice it looks.
14 October 2013 - 12:45
admin says:
BP, yes, you can skip the drama. Otherwise super nice!
Mrs Eriksson, it's great to hear that you have also been to this beautiful island!
🙂
Ditte, we also want to see more of Africa. Every time we go there, we want to go again!
🙂
Annika, can only agree! Truly paradise!
14 October 2013 - 15:53
Across the board says:
It must have been cool to see the turtles in real life - they are really big. In retrospect, it just sounds like a little extra spice on an adventure when something unexpected happens. That's when things can get a little unnecessarily exciting....
14 October 2013 - 18:54
Ulla & Torgny says:
You are so tough to just go off like that and hope that everything will work out. And most of the time it does. You're probably well prepared anyway.
14 October 2013 - 20:02
Deciree says:
What a wonderful trip you have had. These big turtles are powerful. Our son swam with such big turtles in Australia last year. It was powerful according to him:) Great memories:)
14 October 2013 - 21:01
BLOG IN THAILAND.SE - Follow our life through the world says:
Wonderful!!! Glad you write about it, we have thought about it after Christmas!!! 🙂
15 October 2013 - 9:58