Zanzibar has been absolutely lush. We (Me, Nick, Dave and Nick's 2 sisters Anna and Lucy) started in Stone Town (mini capital). In keeping with tradition we kept up a constant diet of fresh delicious seafood. We headed into the markets and hunted down 5 realistic England shirts and many metres of beautiful african material.
4 clear events stick out on this island so I'll try and describe them (briefly)
1. England's opening match
We were based at the northern tip of Zanzibar for england's opener, we headed down the beach to a recommended local bar, 2 english supporters dressed in red fake england shirts with a big red cross on each of our faces. The bar was empty so we made the decision to RUN 3km to another place along the beach in the 25 minutes before the match began. We arrived, after being chased by dogs and stamping on coral and starfish the sweatiest people in the bar but I feel we showed true patriotism that evenin, shame about the score.
2. Crab search
In the north of Zanzibar decided I wanted some crab. We went on a wander to the fish market up the beach but it was closed. So a local guy took us through the winding alleys of the maze that is the village of Nungwi. After trying many places we ended up some guys front yard where 2 deep freezers sat and at the bottom of one sat a freshly caught blueish pink lobster. We had to go (me lobster in hand) to the local football pitch to find the lobster owner. After some bargaining I got it for 5000 Tanzanian shillings = 2 pounds 50. Cooked it with ginger and garlic, gert lush. (And didn't even get ill from it!)
3. Shooting Star
Stayed in a luxury honey moon hotel thanks to the generosity of Nick's dad. Me, Anna and Lucy shared a mini castle and spent the last evening taking a roof top, sun set bubble bath. The food was incredible and in Nick's words 'literally made you sigh with pleasure from every bite'. Loads of fresh fish and the best chocolate mousse ever.
4. Spice/fruit tour
If any of you ever come here make sure you do a spice tour. We ate ginger root straight from the ground, pepper corns from the vines and star fruit from the tree. Had a mini fruit tasting session my new/equal favorite fruit (after the custard apple) are the seeds of the cocoa bean, try it, their immense.
So that's it for Zanzibar and Africa and Nick and Dave who will shortly be flying down to South Africa for a little bit of football. I'm heading to Melbourne tomorrow to join Julia D-A, Rosie Gosling and Rachel Read for some FUN.
Love to all, Grace x
