Our Year in Kenya: October 2013

Driving around the island, I was able to shoot some pictures from the car to give an impression of what life is like for the people living outside of Zanzibar Town. My general impression was positive. We saw people at work but also playing games or gathered in groups socializing. Food didn't seem to be an issue as there is the ocean to fish, the lands to farm, and coconut and banana groves everywhere. We heard alot of Reggae music and the African version of that - the laid-back island flair was definitely there. Interesting is the contrast of the mud huts hidden in the banana trees and the internet/cell phone savy population living in them. According to one taxi driver, most of the younger generation has a computer with a USB stick internet connection as well as a phone. Like in Kenya, cell phones are more sophisticated than in the Western World: they have amazing reception despite literally being in the bush plus they function as a payment vehicle.

rice patties in the middle of the island

a store

traveling vendor - plastic containers are very valuable in this culture

Is there a place in the World that coke hasn't found yet?

Woodworking company

Livestock and especially cows are a sign of wealth in the African culture and that is no exception here.

Nice tree-lined roads on the south of the island.

Baobab tree

A common sight: young men playing games at the side of the road. This one is like a mini game of hockey.

Daily market in a small town in the middle of the island

a group of family huts

We rented a car while on Zanzibar, spending an extra $20 on a temporary drivers license for Gerard. Good thing!! The first time we were stopped by a policeman, Gerard searched frantically everywhere to find that precious piece of paper to no avail. But, he put on a great show and used his negotiation skills plus extensive African experience to force this poor policeman into a position where he had no choice but to let us go. The man just wanted a few extra bucks and wanted to make a deal with us: if we gave him $50, he would not send us to the court for a $100 ticket and a lot of hassle. After Gerard gave him a hard time about the "friendly offer", and reminded him that the friendly and best thing for the island's reputation would be to let us go back to the hotel and get the forgotten document, the guy finally gave up and wished us a pleasant stay. Defeated!! Needless to say, that piece of paper didn't leave Gerard's wallet the rest of the time. And indeed, we were stopped again the next day but left a disappointed cop in the dust that time.

We took a few trips around the island.

Up north to Nungwe - the backpackers' and party mecca on the island. Not only visitors party there. The Zanzibari youth hit the clubs on the weekends, as a young taxi driver told me with a sparkle in his eye.

We visited the Jozani Forest which was created to protect the last remaining virgin forest and its inhabitants, the Red Colobus monkeys.

Watch out for flying monkeys

A monkey crossing

And, the spice tour. Zanzibar is one of the Spice Islands and is famous for its production of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric, pepper, vanilla, ginger, and the list goes on. I didn't expet the tour to be so fascinating and fun. While we were going from one plant/tree to the next, trying to identify what spice it might be, two local guys were making us surprises from palm leaves. Palm trees are the most useful plant of all for the locals and they apparently use every last bit of them. We also learned how to climb them and I don't kid you, Sascha came home and is now climbing everything in sight, including our avocado tree. I wouldn't be surprised if she even managed to get up a palm tree by the time we leave Africa.