Right then….back again…..typing this in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, after two weeks of no internet on the train. Internet is a bit slow so only going to do short blogs as have lots to catch up on! Typing this looking out of bedroom window at the mist rising from the falls. More about that later.
Back to Zanzibar (which seems an eternity away)…..
Hotel is slap bang in the middle of Stone Town. Check with European owner that it’s safe to walk about given the anti-western feeling that has been reported in the western press which included a headline of the USA’s Newsweek “Terror in Zanzibar” – which regurgitated the British girls’ acid attack story.
Am told it’s perfectly safe and given a map of all the alleyways. Venture out and it rapidly becomes apparent that it’s perfectly safe. Everyone is so friendly. Keep hearing “Jambo” (Swahili for hello) and plenty of smiles from locals going about their daily routine.
Prevented from going inside the “House of Wonders” by a wisened old bloke sitting on a ubiquitous white plastic chair. Closed for refurb though judging by the state of things it’s a wonder it’s still standing. Built in the 19th Century it was the first building to have electricity and a lift. The colouring of the stonework of the adjacent fort reminds me of Gondar palace in Ethiopia. Dirty black stone.
Lunch overlooking the Indian Ocean on a hotel balcony. A boat load of local men approach the beach and dive off the boat in quick succession and swim ashore. Hotel security very wary and keeping an eye out. Is it a raid? No. They’re fishing.
Approached by another “guide”. He’s of the scruffy vagabond type. He’s fobbed off. But he follows me so have to do a few quick turns to shake him off. After 10mins he finds me again. And wants money. For something to eat. Call me heartless but he’s fobbed off and I walk off in the opposite direction with him muttering to himself. He later sees me again in a completely different part of town about 20mins from where we were. I’m being stalked. He’s not getting the message is he.
