He decided to give us a quick tour of downtown Arusha. It is amazing that it is a major city and there were only a couple of paved streets off the main drag. He drove us past the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda which was interesting to see.
The airport was by far the smallest airport we've ever been to. It had two ticket counters, and the line was determined by where your bags where placed when you came into the airport. Kassim waited with until we were checked in and we said our goodbyes again. We waited outside for about 30 minutes and walked through the one security line and down the runway to a small plane.
It was a quick hour and 10 minute flight and we landed in Zanzibar, getting our first glimpse of the bluish/greenish Indian Ocean from the plane window. Zanzibar is a relatively small island about 25 miles off the coast of Tanzania. We picked up our bags and got harassed/stalked by the local taxi drivers who wanted to take us anywhere "for a special price - just for us." We declined special offers for 30 minutes and then called our driver (arranged by the safari company) who told us he was on his way. After politely declining another 100+ offers our driver (Omar) finally arrived.
Omar was a really nice and knowledge middle aged man who loved his island. The island was gorgeous. We were blown away by the lush environment (especially considering the barren landscape we experienced on the mainland). It was green everywhere, with palm, banana and other fruit trees lining the streets. The luscious greenery contrasted with the palm huts, children in dirty rags and continued poverty. Again, however, people seem happy and there is plenty of food for everyone due to the fertile soil and plentiful Indian Ocean.
Zanzibar is primarily Muslim, and it was Ramadan while we were there. Out of respect, we were asked not to eat or drink in public since most of the island residents were fasting for their religious holiday.
When we arrived at Matemwe Beach Village, which is located on the north eastern part of the island, we felt like we had stepped into paradise. White sand beaches, crystal blue ocean, African music, friendly staff, palm frond cabanas, hammocks, pillows for lounging, a pool, showers and flush toilets -- what more could we dream of?!
After receiving freshly squeezed juice and cold towels, we were escorted to our room. We both asked separately if there was hot water, and the guy laughed at us. But, hot showers have become a luxury, and we just had to be sure.
Our room had two beds with mosquito netting, a full bathroom, and a large porch with relaxing chairs and a table. We'd step off the porch and into the sand, passing a cabana and a hammock on our 20 steps to the beach.
Every night, the staff came in to light out mosquito coil (like incense that keeps mosquitoes away), put down our netting and place a printout of a traditional African bedtime story on our bed.
We walked around the grounds and on the beach before making our way to the main open air building for dinner, which was just off the beach. Because we were on the "spice island" we were excited to try all the different dishes...especially the seafood, which Zanzibar is know for. It was interesting to watch the lights in the dining room undulate from the different power surges as we ate.
We casually strolled back to our room by way of the beach. The moon was so bright and its reflection from the water was picture perfect. Once we climbed into our beds and arranged the mosquito netting to our liking, we noticed that there were mosquitoes everywhere. They were even trapped inside our nets! We slathered on bug lotion and declared war on the mosquitoes in our nets. We slept well, but were awakened by the occasional buzz of a mosquito flying by our faces. To our disadvantage however, the mosquitoes were probably female...who come out between dusk and dawn and carry malaria. Males on the other hand do not carry malaria and come out during the day. Just perfect!
We loved listening to the crashing waves just outside our window as we fell asleep.
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