More Zanzibar and end of 2024

 A few more pics of  Stonetown, Zanzibar .

 

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As there was no public transport from our hotel location, we hired a guide who drove us, showed us around but we asked him to make the guide short and leave us for the rest of the morning to explore alone as we wanted to see everyday life rather than tourist hotspots.

At the beach: (it is illegal to take shells from here, but I wouldn't anyway, they are far prettier where they belong and are much needed homes for fish and crabs).

After we had got back to our routine at home, before we knew it was the run up to Christmas.  We didn't have much time for decorating but I did make my wreath for the front door and decorated our fake tree with my vintage baubles.  Hubby puts the fairy lights at the back of the housed so we can enjoy them from the conservatory.

We did small secret santa pressies this year as we wanted the family gathering to be focused on spending time together rather than spending money  (I got a rubic cube).   We had roast chicken (much cheaper than a turkey 2 chickens for £8) plenty of veg, all the trimmings, pigs in blankets, mince pies and some nice wine.  We watched Gavin and Stacey on tv - I think the whole of the UK was watching!  and I shed a few tears at the ending :)  This is the last time they will film for this much loved series.

We went to London to see the shop windows and Christmas lights.

I will be working late shifts 31st Dec and 1st Jan so will take this opportunity to wish everyone who follows my blog a Happy New Year 2025.

Betty 

  

Zanzibar

 Hello Blogland. Here I am in Zanzibar, Tanzania.  You will need a cuppa and spare time as this is a long post!  The journey here took about 15 hours,   travelling via Dubai then  a 1 hour road trip to arrive at this beautiful, Sun soaked paradise with white sandy beach, tropical climate and relaxing surroundings!

We live close to the airport, and our son (who works there) knows the flight timetable so well, he sent us the  pic above of our flight taking off, view  from our garden! 

We are staying all inclusive on Pwani beach, with a beautiful room, with wonderful staff, great food... and a fabulous beach!  I have never swum in a sea that is literally as hot as a very hot bath!  Its weird.

This is the new me. I had my hair low lighted back to my natural dark brown and left the  grey that has crept in at the sides, no point in fighting it.  I'm also testing out dark eyebrows before taking the plunge shortly to have them tattooed.

The necklace I'm wearing is Indian gold. Hubby bought it for me in Dubai about 43 years ago!  I don't wear it often as it's so special.

The hotel is in an undeveloped area. There is no transport infrastructure outside.  But everything we need is here.

We spend most of our time on the beach..there's a coral reef about a mile out, sandbanks to explore at low tide and swimming in a gentle. Hot sea when the tide is in.  We also have a lovely pool.

As we are staying all.inclusive we are enjoying a huge variety of food including local dishes and quite a few very nice vegetarian curries at breakfast, lunch and dinner!

When the tide goes out you can walk with a hotel guide to find starfish and coloured fish.  They also told us the local women plant and harvest seaweed, a government initiative to create employment, the seaweed makes soap and beauty products sold to tourists.... I stayed by the pool but hubby bravely waded through the shallows to take pics.

There are Masai people here who have done their best to sell us trinkets on the beach, the hotels create work for them as entertainment (authentic dancing, acrobatics).

Lady harvesting seaweed to make soap

We have visited Stonetown, the biggest town and market on the island.  We went to see the house where Freddie Mercury lived.  We also explored the narrow streets and the market.

Above: a great way to recycle plastic bottles!

Freddie Mercury's family home

Doors here are interesting, some of the houses in Stonetown are over 100 years old.  The carving of flowers at top of doors indicates how many families shared the house; doors carved with chains down each side indicate the house/premises of a slave trader.

We visited a spice garden and learned the medicinal uses for some of the plants growing on Zanzibar. In particular, iodine and aloe Vera.

Mangoes

ginger

mace

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red dye for lipstick

We're still here!.... if you read this far, congratulations,  it was a long post.