Stone town
Betty..
It is 3:10 am.
I’m awake cause sleep just took off. And I’ve to be in the office first thing tomorrow morning. My vacation is officially over, as if there’s any other way to be over.
Oh Zanzibar, was that really us?!
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I first went to Zanzibar in January 2019, seems like eons ago. The trip was planned around my birthday and a few colleague’s time off.
To say the least, I fell in love with what I saw, how I felt when there.
In my then twenty something years going to Zanzibar hadn’t really clicked in my head or in my circle… it’s an island, very close and it’ll always be there, similar perception of other things I’ve taken for granted like visiting local national parks or hiking mountains around here.
So after that first trip (stone town, forodhani food market, nungwi beach and kendwa rocks) the plan has been to keep returning to Zanzibar as often as possible, to the different sides of the island and to do things differently each time. Or not.
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Thanks to Rona, I’d been quarantined at work for 3 months and some weeks- saved enough to splurge on an all inclusive resort for a week…of course at a packaged price I would be a fool to overlook.
Usually I’m a planner but for once I let someone else handle all the logistics and Boy, was I blown away!
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Secret is early booking, and open communication with the said hotel to know exactly what they offer so that you’re well prepared when you get there.
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We stayed at the Reef and Beach Resort (I’m poor with island directions…ni kusini ya Zanzibar) at Jambiani, a little over an hour’s drive from the airport, of which the hotel offered airport pick up and drop offs, saving around 60,000 for each round!
It’s a pristine property under paradise and wilderness adventures… the seclusion and privacy makes the hotel the best place for total relaxation on a reef and yet on the beach, with a breeze that plays the tides such that I’d be walking on the ocean floor and in a few hours the same spot would be covered 5-7 feet under. I spent most days watching this beauty.
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The days revolved around the sun.
Sun up and I’m out to do some much needed morning reading and meditation. Then a long breakfast that would not put me anywhere near a weighing scale for now, actually all meals had this effect.
A swim, or sunbathing by the pool while enjoying a cocktail and the view. Here I tried to read but it’s a tough competition when the waves are literally on your finger tips needing to be felt and admired. Oh well, tough luck!
Lunch, er, a chance to enjoy whatever seafood that was on, 4-5 course style.
Afternoons found us lounging by the jetty bar, wine at hand …a bar literally on water, perfect for its majestic sunsets and openness for water activities- kayaking, scuba diving and swimming. And napping, not after all that delicious lunch.
Tide is high and strong in the evenings and so is the wind, time to pack up and move to Mango Bar for a chat with staff and other guests or room balcony to read, readying for dinner- another scrumptious palate affair.
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Their management offers a variety of activities on different days; during our stay we had water aerobics in the morning, kayaking, games in the lounge area (pool table and cards) and a dance night.
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The aha moment for me was day two morning when I woke up and realised I don’t have to do a thing…not cook, clean, talk or even think. I just had to be there.
Lesson learned: be spontaneous. Do things in the now. Moments go by so fast, and rarely do they come back in the same essence. So don’t miss out on yourself.
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Until next time, dear Zanzibar!
Cheers!!
catracarol 