Zanzibar: Poa kuchizi cama ndizi! ('Cool like a banana!')

I cannot describe how wonderful our trip to Zanzibar was. It was just the escape Mama Ju and I needed to manage the last 4 weeks of the volunteer and Arusha experience.

I have never felt so at home in another country as I did in Zanzibar. The locals were SO friendly, and were interested only in having a friendly chat (compared with Arusha, where the constant hustle and bustle from tourist touts can be overwhelming!!!). The beach where we stayed, Bwejuu, was straight off a postcard. Loong stretches of white sandy beach, with coconut palms dotting the coast. Even on overcast days the ocean was an iridescent turquoise colour. Urgh - I sound so cliche...but seriously, the place was PARADISE!!!

Our first accommodation was Mustapha's Nest - which was just like walking on to the set of gilligan's island!! Despite the laid back rasta atmosphere and friendly staff at Mustapha's, on day three we moved into the bungalows next door, which offered hot water in the showers, and sunbeds on the beach.

We spent a day in stone town, a beautiful ancient city with winding arabian alleyways and a bright blue bay filled with fishing dhows. The ride home to the beach where we were staying was more terrifying than my waterfall adventure, but that deserves its own post!!! The rest of our trip we spent taking long walks along the beach, lying prostrate like basted turkeys in the sunshine, too many kilimanjaro beers at the local rasta bars, African dishes cooked for us by our new friends from Mustaphas (despite losing our business, they invited us back to hang out with them every day!!), and enjoying the most glorious sunset I could ever have the privilege of watching.

And of course, no holiday is complete without a summer romance. Mama Ju bewitched a local chef, a rastafarian muslim (I know, that's a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it!) by the name of Dula. He declared his love for her and asked her to meet his family. I have been having a chuckle at Mama Ju's expense ever since.

We're both going back again for a week at the end of November. Our friend Omi from Mustapha's has offered to take us swimming with the dolphins, and another woman, Perninna has invited me to a rasta party on a Friday night. I cannot wait!!




Pictured: The beautiful beaches; our friends enjoying the sunset; African bushwoman helping her new mates cook dinner; kev the kangaroo, hangin' with the boys; Mama Ju and I with Dula and Omi, emerging from a pub.