zanzibar cont...

From Stone Town we went up the coast to Nungwi via a spice plantation and a lady's home for lunch. The spice plantation was very informative but humid. We got to see how ginger is grown, took some bark from a cinnamon tree and tasted lovely coconut and jack fruit.
Lunch was an interesting event... we went to a local village en route to our hotel and we were cooked a lovely traditional meal. The children in the village all came to say hello and we were constantly handed little bouquets with flowers in a leaf cone. Some of the group played alongside the children and showed the kids pictures of themselves... and I just wish I had a second camera with me to have shown you their reactions. Chris was showing a little girl a photos of herself and she was so surprised and excited to see herself on the screen. It is an image I will never forget. (here is a photo of our fellow traveller Danielle doing the same).

From here we drove to our accommodation of the next few nights in Nungwi and where the sea is crystal clear and the sand white. We swan with some of the children in one area of the island and it was interesting to see that they were using the plastic water bottles tied under their arms for floats. They loved having us arrange games for them and taking the time to chat to them.

It was Simon's birthday while we were here (along with many other family and friends) so I called to wish him a happy birthday. He asked me if I was excited about coming home for a week and I can't wait to see family and friends, but I'm not ready to finish our travels yet.

Chris and I left earlier than the rest of the group on the Friday to get to Stone Town for Chris' dental appointment. Nothing could be done in the amount of time we were here, so instead, we had a walk around the place. Another trip to the market was in order and then some last minute shopping.

Zanzibar is a place which at night looks beautiful and exotic and during the day dirty and run down, but it's a place which will be remembered for its inhabitants who are helpful and friendly.