this morning we had to pack up camp and stow everything on the truck. We are taking the ferry to Zanzibar. Zanzibar is not an island it is an archipelago, and the main island is called Zanzibar, and became part of Tanzania when they got independence. TANganyika, ZANzibar, Independent Authority Tan..zan I a. The capitol is Stone town and it was settled by the Arabs and Indians so is mainly muslim and was a major slave trading port.
Our guide is coming with us but he cant guide on Zanzibar sohe is just coming to make sure everything goes smooth and direct us to the ferry etc. The first ferry was across the harbor. Imagine what you thing and African ferry would look like and that was probably it. It looked a lot worse than it was. The second ferry was just like the ferries to Rotto. High speed, we all go seats, toilet, shop and bar onboard and it only took 1hr45min for the crossing. Zanzibar is considered an international destination so we had to show passports and go through luggage scanning but it was really basic and you could really bring almost anything.
Stone town is great, I love the place. There is a rabbit warren of alleyways with markets everywhere and they sell MEAT on a STICK. I had lunch, had a laugh and a joke with the old women and bought a couple of t shirts. ( yours is sooo fashionable Boy) It doesn't get better than this.

Last night a few of us went out for drinks and a meal. Drinks were at one of the most exclusive bars in town. You can sit on the balcony and watch the sun go down. It looked like all the beautiful people stay there and had prices to match. Well, 2 of the 3 beers were warm, one drink had to be ordered 3 times and they tried to charge us for an extra beer. When we tried to pay they said they had no change even though the place was packed and everyone was drinking.
The others decide to go to and Indian place for dinner but I had seen a night market on the way and I was going there. from reports the indian was good and about 23,000 per head. I can tell you the market was great. All seafood on a stick. Lobster, prawns, squid and fish. I had some kinda fish in a flat bread and samosa and it was very filling for 5,000 (about $3).
There is so much to see and do here in true Intrepid style we are moving today. We are doing a spice tour and heading north for 2 days. I don't know if I get internet but I am trying to keep up to date for when we don't have it for a few days.

Sunset Beach, Kendwa, Zanzibar
We did a spice tour in the morning on the way here. It was just a basic tour, and we didn't see anything I havnt seen before. It was like most things on this tour, an opportunity to tip a few more people. I have had my hand in my pocket nearly everyday to either pay someone, make a donation, or tip someone. Our trip leader usually tells us to take money for tip, or donation, they expect it now.
As I said yesterday, there is too much to do in Stone town so we have to leave. we are now at Sunset Beach Bungalows. This is really High End! It is full of Italian package tourists, here for an expensive exotic holiday. It is part of the tour so accommodation is paid for but meals are not. It is a stretch of beach with dozens of high end resorts. Prices are through the roof and there is no escape. They all know what the others charge and the try to keep it the same. They all have scuba and snorkeling and the usual water sports at crazy expensive prices. We are on a Camping holiday, a so called budget holiday and we have just spent 4 of the last 5 days hanging around on dinky beaches...why bring us here?
I spent the day trying to avoid the high prices and just hung around. we go back to Dar tomorrow. Prolly not be on again for a few days.
I will keep updating this post for a couple of days.