Stone Town, Zanzibar Sunset

Zanzibar could not be more beautiful and picturesque. The turquoise coral beaches, and the endless dome like sky filled with cloud patterns that often turn dark and stormy are the ingredients for spectacular sunsets. We went to the African Hotel for front seats and cocktails.

Stone Town

Moved to the other side of the island today to Stone Town to explore the world heritage UNESCO site. Comprised of a labyrinth of narrow streets with architecturally significant dwellings,the city has a rich history; it flourished as a center of the spice trade as well as the slave trade in the 19th century. Spent the day wandering the maze like interior seeking relief when the heat became oppressive or thunder signaled an oncoming downpour. I was charmed by the children who followed me asking for a photograph and fascinated by those who call this island city home.

Children of Stone Town

They followed me down the narrow streets, at first I thought they were speaking Swahili, but then I recognized the word "photograph". They posed alternating smiling and pensive grins. They moved from the light to the shade, giddy after each shutter release to see their image.

Siblings

As they played in the sand, undisturbed by falling raindrops, the boy was teaching his little sister how to count in Swahili, then English, followed by Spanish. She mimicked him perfectly. They posed for my lens, but it was the unconscious moments in between that captured their essence.

The Rock

A stone's throw from our house on Michanwi Pimgwe Beach which is mainly populated by locals living in cement thatched roof dwellings is a structure out of a Grimm's fairy tale. During high tide it floats like a boat house moored in the Indian Ocean, but when tides are low it explodes from the coral and sand like a fantasy. When we learned it was a bar and restaurant it joined our list of activities (along with walking out to the sand bar and reading by the pool). At sunset we swam to the The Rock, sipped cocktails and watch an orange orb rise from the distance waves and ascend into the sky.

Sunrise Zanzibar

Rented a spectacular house on the west coast of Zanzibar for our first few nights, an amazing setting to acclimate, soak in the sun and surrounding beauty. Although a little tired, when the sun started to break through my shutters which opened onto the beach I couldn't remain in bed any longer. Took a peaceful stroll as the sky entertained and realized we were in THE house on the beach. Poor villages on both sides of our property were much more common in this fishing village and we become increasingly aware of our white, ex-pat status as the days unfolded.