I want to write this post for a few reasons. Number one, I had the best time of my life there, second, I fell in love in that city and with that city, so I want to remember every little thing🌿
And maybe I might be able to prepare a casual guide for the people who think of exploring there.
I met someone in Turkey just a few days before he had to go to Africa for his job. We get to spend three days with our group of friends, we got attracted to each other a lot and wanted to pursue it, and he asked me to join him in Tanzania with him, probably thought I wouldn't do it, but I did! :) So Zanzibar holds a special place in me since our first memories as a couple are there.
I am sure Africa is a place everyone wants to see. And it was for me too. And I can say sincerely, there is no other land I might love more. I loved the food, I loved the sights, the lifestyle, the people, the weather, and everything else, you name it.
I hope one day I get to visit this continent and have the chance to see other countries of Africa as well.
So let's get the first things first. To go to Zanzibar, there are two ways. You can fly to Dar Es Salaam, the former capital of Africa, and take two hours ferry ride to Zanzibar, or you can directly fly to Zanzibar. My journey was a little crazier; I was in Dar Es Salaam for one day and went to Dodoma, the current capital of Tanzania, stayed there, and then flew directly to Zanzibar, so you can use that way too :)
If you take the ferry first thing you will see when you land La İsla Bonita will be these beautiful old mansions;
I loved walking past them every day, but my personal favorite of welcoming sights of Zanzibar was a big tree called ''Mtini'' in Kiswahili which means ''the place of the tree''. It is found near the Old Dispensary,a beautiful mansion on Mizingani Road and was planted by a Sultan in the early 1900s. And I can assure you the photo doesn't do the justice of showing how magnificent this tree was.
We found a place in Stone Town, where the ferry drops you off, a beautiful old house. My boyfriend was working, so my days were spent exploring the city; I walked every day, almost every street having the best time.
We usually ate at a local restaurant called Lukmaan Restaurant, where I got the chance to try local food, which was more delicious than heaven. I will never forget you coconut sauce with rice!🥥 Simply the best.
At night we would go to Park Hyatt for a drink or a good Wifi connection :)
It had a nice view of the Indian Ocean that I really enjoyed.
Garden of Park Hyatt Hotel
Park Hyatt Cafe
I believe one of the best things about being in Africa is to taste the delicious coffees.
There were many kinds; unfortunately, I got the chance of trying only a few, and my favorite was Kilimanjaro coffee.
Best Bakery of Stone Town🥯
A coffee house where you can pay with Bitcoin. My hometown needs these too!
The famous street where all the tourist shops are.
Stone Town is the main city of Zanzibar but around the island, there are many other places like Jozani Forest, Spice Fields, tiny islands, and beaches like Nungwui.
The first place you must see other than Stone Town is Jozani Forest in my opinion. If you ever want to see a monkey in its natural habitat :) They are even more beautiful and lovelier than I could ever imagine.
We went to Jozani Beach in a friend's car from Zanzibar. Unfortunately, you cant bring a car from outside to Zanzibar, but you can rent a bike or use tiny taxis.
After you arrive at the forest, a tour guy will show you around. Walking around by yourself is prohibited because people might try to harm the monkeys.
Famous Red Monkey of Zanzibar
They were trying to pick the fleas off of each other. Maybe the most lovely act I have witnessed.
One of the other things I witnessed that was very unusual for me was a lizard's molting process in Nungwi Beach.
Nungwi Beach is at the top of the Island. It has that dreamy white sands that you never want to leave. You can rent a bike to go there as well.
The Slave Market Memorial to remember the victims of Slavery...
I can not imagine what the victims of the chambers went through and seeing there made me think how far we still have to go to achieve a world ruled by solid human rights.
One of the other highlights of the trip for an animal lover like me was the first time I saw the giant Aldabra Turtles on Changuu Island, also known as Prison Island. They are all around Zanzibar and under conservation like the Zanzibars Red Colobus monkey. To reach this tiny island, you can rent a boat in stone town.
It is called Prison Island, and there is a building there that was intended to be used as a prison, but it never came to life, and the place was used as a hospital instead. The building is now a tourist attraction, and one of the best rooms is used as a cafe- bar.
After we went back home that day we walked past by a seemingly regular hotel but there was a sign in front of the door called a garden, and it got me intrigued, usually I walk very fast and never notice things, I said I want to see it and I am glad I did. If you want a place to have a romantic night out this is it. The ambiance and the architecture of the mansion and the garden are a sight for sour eyes.
I will finish with my happiest road riding photos, I hope you liked reading this, and I hope if you haven't seen it here already you'll one day. Thank you for everything Zanzibar!
Thank you for reading...🍍🍌🍇