Zanzibar, The Spice Island

If you are looking for a destination that is quieter than but just as intriguing as Mauritius then Zanzibar is the place to go. This awesome destination is full of life and diversity.

I stayed at what was the Protea Hotel and is now called the Zanzibar Beach Resort, what an amazing setting. Each room has beautiful views, you step out of your room onto the beach sand. The bar and restaurant area are right on the beach, so every morning and evening you can enjoy a variety of meals from fresh fish, meat, fruit & vegetarian buffets whilst watching the sun rise or set.

You can happily spend the day lying by the pool, drinking cocktails, getting massages and henna tattoos, or you can drive around the island to see historic Stone Town and many other beautiful sites. My personal favourite was Nungwi Beach – a “hidden paradise” We spent many afternoons and evenings there. They have a bar on the beach that is made out of the bow of a ship with a bonfire and a grill on the edge of the water. A lot of locals meet at Nungwi Beach at night, but guests from all over the island which are of different nationalities mix in as well and it makes for a night of getting to know the world and enjoying the festivities.

If it’s adventure you’re looking for then Zanzibar is fabulous. You can go snorkelling on the reefs or if you’re lucky you could swim with the dolphins even though it is a rare occurrence. One of the most popular outings is the famous Zanzibar Spice Tours.

Driving in Zanzibar is an adventure on its own, with barely any tarred roads, you find yourself driving along the sea sand through palm trees and wild life. They have strange rituals where they put their brights’ on when approaching other cars and indicate as if they are going to turn in front of them, it is their way of saying “Jambo” – “Hello”. Getting from place to place in Zanzibar takes a minimum for 45 minutes, but along the way there are loads of interesting places to see. I loved driving through the local towns, where the houses are made out of coral and the windows are made from palm tree leaves. Families sit on their doorsteps waving as you go by, and you are more than welcome to stop and spend some time with these humble people.

Zanzibar is full of surprises, go and explore it – you won’t regret it!