Zanzibar: Ringing in the New Year in the Land of the Setting Sun

If the island of Japan is referred to as the land of the rising sun then the island of Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania can definitely take the title of land of the setting sun. The “spice islands” as it is referred to is predominantly muslim (conservative) and has so much charm, so much character that it is literally bursting from every nook and cranny of every alley.

Touring the labyrinth of alleyways that make up the maze that is Stonetown, the main of attraction of Zanzibar town, you couldn’t help but become engrossed. Its as if you’ve been transported thousands of miles back into some ancient Persian city. The streets are so narrow that cars can barely pass and most of the traffic is on scooters. Every building is so tightly packed and is so alluring that they each seem to have their own story. It brings a different meaning to the phrase ‘if buildings could talk’. Children run through the streets everywhere, all with smiles on their faces, and each storefront seems to have old men or women sitting in front looking as if they could tell you a thousand stories.

Walking through the alleyways it was easy to see how someone could get lost for days in there without knowing their way around. But sometimes its fun to just get lost and see where the road leads you to. The first evening in zbar we hitup a popular expat bar that sits high up on the Indian ocean to see the sunset (I think it was actually called sunset bar). A great atmosphere (with somewhat pricey drinks!) but we’re all there for the main attraction. Don’t ask me how, but when the sun finally did set, the crowded bar broke out in applause as if we had all just seen a once in a lifetime show rather than something that has happened everyday since the dawn of time. Zbar is a unique place, there are sandbanks of white sand in the middle of the ocean which you can reach by hiring a boat which takes you 20 minutes out into the ocean to what is basically your own private beach surrounded by blue/turquoise ocean. The only catch is that you have to vacate before the high tide engulfs the beach!

We took a day trip up north to Kendwa for more sun and sand, and then returned to Stonetown to ring in the new year on at a beachfront bar. It was one countdown I will never forget! The best things about Zanzibar are the simple ones. Wandering the streets, or just sitting and watching. A couple mornings I ventured out to a nearby café while everyone else slept and sat on the patio to see what went by. Vendors, tourists, sellers, buyers, everyone living their life. Evening street food markets entice you to sample a wide range of sea food, breads, Zanzibar-style pizza, and dessert pizza (an amazing dessert made of banana and chocolate). Zanzibar is full of legends, be it the spirits that supposedly walk the streets and overtake the human body, or evil beings that invade the island during times of stress. Its quirky in its own special way, you’ll shake your head, or even laugh at the stories that come out of this island, but the irony is that you can’t help wanting more.