Little walk around the resort, the gardeners are quite busy.
Nothing much planned for today, simply relax and making the most of the pool and hot weather.
Actually the weather turned quite grey in the afternoon but of course still very warm.
This evening it was Swahili dinner and Masai dancing show time.
I got roped in some of the dancing
Awake quite early, probably too early in fact. I intend to take it easy today and I know exactly the right spot for that.
Up relatively early so I have the pool to myself (click link for the video)
Another nice day weather wise by the looks of it. Quite windy in fact which is nice.
Quiet morning at the pool and now it is time for this local but excellent cool beer.
Despite the very hot sun ☀️ I went for a walk along the beach. Not too many people around.
We are being picked up at 16:30 to go to the famous restaurant “The Rock”. It takes 1h30 of potholes avoidance. But it is worth it even if you need to get your feet wet.
Someone might recognise this northern Catalan person.
Dinner over, we are driven back to the resort. Not the most comfortable ride. It is pitch black and the pole holes 🕳️ do not advertise themselves. It is BBQ night and live music time when we get back for a nightcap.
Awake early. My plan for the day at the moment is a lot of doing very little.
But first it is breakfast 🍳 time
Followed by some pool time
A light lunch in the shade
Followed by a nap in another place watching the tide slowly coming in
It is however not too long before retiring in the air conditioned bedroom. Simply too hot 🥵 out there.
Earlier start today as we planned and booked a guided tour. It has been raining 🌧️ overnight but it is already quite hot.
It is an hour’s drive to the south of the island where we shall get our boat.
We spent the morning island hopping, in and out of the very warm sea.
Found this beast crawling up a tree. I wonder if it could be for lunch?
Changed my mind. That was lunch.
Back at the ranch, so to speak, late afternoon and in time for a splash in the swimming pool before heading to the bar for a few cocktails 🍸, an acrobats show and a light dinner before retiring to bed.
End of a good day
I really like the idea bare foot idea, as for WiFi 🛜 if your accommodation is near enough the main building you are in range. With WiFi and my tablet, I have TV if required.
THIS IS THE ONLY RESORT IN ZANZIBAR BUILT AND PROJECTED FOLLOWING THE PRICIPLES OF BARE-FOOTING PHILOSOPHY. ALL THE PATHS ARE IN SAND, PAVEMENTS ARE IN TIPYCAL ZANZIBAR MATERIAL MADE WITH COLOURED PIGMENTS SAND AND CEMENT, ALL THE FURNITURE IS MADE OF NATURAL MATERIALS. YOU DON’T HAVE WI-FI OR TELEVISION IN THE ROOM SO TO AVOID DISTURBING A GOOD SLEEP, MATRESSES ARE IMPORTED FROM ITALY AND LINEN ARE OF EGYPTIAN BEST COTTON. YOU CAN AVOID TO USE SHOES EVERYWHERE IF YOU LIKE, EVEN IN THE COMMON AEREA OR AT THE RESTAURANT. WE ONLY REQUIRE TO AVOID BATH SUITS IN THE EVENING BUT FOR LUNCH THEY ARE OK IF YOU LIKE.
Anyway, after a pleasant breakfast, it is time to hit the pool area.
The property is really well kept and maintained. The vegetation is abundant and thriving.
It is thirsty work swimming around. Better to retire to the bar / lounge / restaurant area.
A short digestive walk along the beach and in the shallow waters after lunch
Before retiring in the cool and the obligatory daily afternoon nap 😴. It is also the ideal time to catch up with the news, write emails and update blogs.
Went out for dinner in one of the hotels further along the beach. Not too impressed with the food, just average.
The plan today is an hour’s taxi drive to cross the island to our next destination of Pongwe Bay. We are booked at the resort on the eastern coast & by the ocean for the next 10 days.
But first it is breakfast time at the hotel’s roof terrace.
Our chauffeur arrived on time and we departed at 10am as planned. A relatively slow drive due to the state of the roads. Had couple of near misses which the driver managed to avoid.
The trip was very much worth it when we arrived at our destination.
We bumped into our friends R & L from Carcassone by the pool. A quick dip in it and it is time for lunch followed by a walk along the beach.
The restaurant is not bad either. The lobster 🦞 only costs 24€. I might live on that.
Today should be a relaxing one. It is our last day in town before crossing to the other side of the island tomorrow morning. Maybe some shopping 🛍️ is a good idea.
Our guide through the labyrinth to the local chemist / pharmacy.
Shopping done, found an ATM to replenish, time to find our way to the sea front via the Old Fort for our lunch reservation.
Lobster lunch at an extremely reasonable price
Internet is quite capricious and in the best of cases very slow. That does not stop me from having a pleasant breakfast on the hotel’s rooftop. I think we have a new friend.
Today is more exploring on the agenda
There are 2 cathedrals to be investigated. One Catholic and one Anglican the latter being located at the slave market from yesteryears.
We paid for a tour of the slave market and it was worth it. I learned a few things. I was not aware that the Arabs from Oman 🇴🇲 were in charge and responsible for it all.
The rest of the day was spent visiting and re-visiting water holes and restaurants including a very good Indian one in the evening.
Actually the first full day on the island and some exploring of Stone Town is on the cards. It is in fact a lot of work in the intense heat.
The sea front is only a few minutes away and I can recommend the « Cape Town Fish Market » for a break and a coffee.
We found a very pleasant spot and restaurant on top of the Maru Maru hotel.
Then it is back to the hotel to cool off and take a digestive snooze.
For dinner, we had been recommended the Tea House at Emerson Spice for which I had made reservations before leaving France.
The plan is to arrive at 6pm for a sunset cocktail 🍸 followed by a 7 (relatively small) courses. Quite pleasant.
I do it my way 