Indigo everywhere, with an Arabic twist, shove in a few Indian spices, African friendliness and you've got Zanzibar all summed up! (i'll also secretely add in the fact that to sum Zanzibar up completely you've got to admit that even the finest map reader will get lost in the depths of stone town...)

I had an amazing time on the exotic island- full of History (managed to make it to the former slave market-so interesting and sad at the same time), tastes (love the free tasting on the spice tour) and sun (Kendwa beach was a picture!). I had a great time in stone town including wondering through the fish/meat market where every part of every animal was for sale (alone with the free flies 1:100000000) hung on huge hooks (think murder movies) - believe it or not it was fascinating as was the smell... I also stepped back 20 years and found the awesomest fruit ever- anyone who knew us when we were still at the backpackers, or had the (ultimate) pleasure of looking after us when we were little angels may remember the amazing (or maybe i just thought it was amazing) guava tree that was in the garden opposite the main stairs....for those who don't thy were amazing- think huge and PINK and juicy...basically heaven in a mouthful (Hey M&D, remember how you built room 4 & 7 then the tree DIED??!! -may still have slight grudge)...anyway more to the point i rediscovered them in a random alleyway and basically lived off them for three days...and the local kids were very helpful in making sure i chose the right ones with out only common english being 'good' or 'not good'...universal enough for me!

Also discovered that bubbles seem to entertain kids worldwide and had great fun (actually probably more than the kids) playing with some soap detergent and wire loop chasing them down the streets... Which also lead to the discovery of 'Palace Hotel' which i reccomend to anyone who goes to Zanzibar (can't give you directions thuogh) for it actually had FAST internet- bascially a miracle although when i wanted to come back to upload photos is had dissapeared...hmm....

The trip back to Dar meant getting on the fast ferry. Question- why on 90% of my journeys do i manage to place myself next to the spewy kid?! Seriously! Do i have some sort of attraction in an odd manner or something- most of the trip involved the searching for more and more plastic bags whilst Mr Bean (with the ODDEST subtitles) was playing in the background...interesing.

I'm now in Arusha and the journey here was a long one at that.. Somehow managed to get on a bus with no chickens (rather a dissapointment after usually being crammed in with them in the Dalladallas the last few weeks!) and only me and two others sharing a small bench while being wedged between 1000 sacks of rice! But the scenery was gorgeous..green..then desserty...then cute little towns... ooh and before i foget i've almost (note ALMOST) mastered the art of bus buying (well whatever you call buying goods out of a bus window called.)
For those who haven't had the pleasure of being able to play (i say play cause its basiaclly a game) it involves
a)you seeing the tout with either sunglasses, water, fruit or some other tasty snack
b)you don't want them so say no and the bus slows down
c)the keep saying 'sister' and looking at you as though 'why wouldn't you want this piece of rubber ive crafted into a key ring thats supposed to resemble and elephant with 5 legs
d)you refuse again
e)the pus picks up speed and starts to head off
f)you realise actually you do want it
g)you speed bargain (5secs max), fumble for your money and you wont have the correct change
e)thrust the money at the jogging tout while he yells at someone else for change
f)he thrusts the good into your hand then thows your change through the window while running at olympic speed alongside the bus
g)done.

Arusha has ended up being a cute place at the bottom of the stunning Mt Meru- i'm definitely in tourist territory when i hear "taxi?!?!" in every second word, i'm battling with the "you come" "how much??" "you come" "no, how much" "you come" debate, i'm forever saying no, i don't want a safari, yesterdays newspapaper, a necklace, a scary wooden mask, or a litre of water (even if your constant hissing did manage to finally get my attention).. I'm assured that 'looking is free' at every street corner although they never seem to mention that the escaping part isn't so easy... I also got to spend an hour convincing a bank manager yes, these are real travellers cheques and even though i did get them in NZ i am British, my passport does not lie, i live in England (shhh) and i think it would be awesome if you could get me a good rate on these...

And tip #10253, no, they do not have hot water and i will never see hot water out of a tap before i get home, even if they insist thats the reason i should pay the ridiculous amount for the room. But in saying that i shouldn't be complaing because its so hot i don't need it! honestly heaven. The fruit- amazing. I'm embracing bucket showers like there's no tommorow (although i'll admit priority washes have occured), the discovery of Ugali is life changing, i'll never get sick of the beans and the corn bets any of that nasty ash version in Nepal! And most of all, after escaping some slick talking operators i findly found a safari and am off to meet Blue & Tusks ancestors tommorow as well as visiting Simba, Timone and Pumba on the way.....
"From the day, we arrive on the planet.....the circle of life"