Zanzibar - the beach

We have had three days at Nungwi Beach in Zanzibar, a resort type beach area. Catching up on some sleep, reading, snorkelling. The water here is absolutely beautiful, crystal clear and warm. Yesterday we went for a sunset cruise and snorkel on a traditional boat, the dhow. Today we went out with a boat full of divers to Mnendi Island. We seniors settled for snorkelling while everyone else dived. It was interesting snorkelling, because although the coral reef was not in good condition, bleaching tragically seems to be occurring everywhere, we got to swim along the edge of the shelf of the reef and look down on the divers, and diver territory - great schools of fish wheeled up from the depths. Lots of beautiful fish to watch. And dolphins!

Also, I forgot to tell you about our contact in Tanzania - for months I have been corresponding with Achmed in Arusha, who organised our safari and our Zanzibar layover. Boy were we surprised when he turned up at our hotel to meet us. He is, in fact, an eccentric, beer guzzling, chain smoking, Maasai blanket wearing Englishman with a big handlebar moustache. He married a local and had to convert to Islam, and changed his name from Phil to Achmed! He plied us with beer and lots of Tanzania tips and amusing conversation. I recommend his company, Basecamp Tanzania, to anyone considering a safari in Tanzania or a Mt Kilimanjaro climb.

Highlights:

1. Chilling at the cafe hanging over the sea.
2. Sleeping by the pool.
3. Snorkelling - boat rides, with ginger tea (these are spice islands) and fish watching.
4. Swimming with a pod of eight dolphins!!
5. Grilled Octopus - had it for four meals.