Zanzibar and some yummy spices!

Well, the night before I left for Zanzibar, there was a shop right next to my hostel that did hair braiding and I had been wanting to get that done, so I decided to go for it. Unfortunately, they did not understand exactly what I wanted, so it's a little different than I expected, but it's already coming out, so no big deal. Interesting, though!

I took the Flying Horse Ferry at 1230pm over to Zanzibar. Met a group of about 15 people who are on an overland trip through Africa and ended up traveling with them for Zanzibar. WE also watched the Germany vs. USA game while on the ferry, so that made for a fun ferry ride, however sad, since we lost! Boohoo!

I tried to get a taxi ride at the port to my hostel and the overland group's leader told me they're going to the same place so I can get a free ride with them. Perfect! We had to go through immigration again and their leader took me in as one of their group. It has been so nice. We all explored the town last night and ate at the local night market which was extremely good. I had Marline and Tuna and we all had banana/chocolate pancakes, yummy! Then to the Sweet and Easy and Africa House for some drinks.

This morning I worked out my ticket situation and then we all headed out for a tour of the island and the spices! We hit all the main places including the Fort, the House of Wonders, the Ruins, the LIivingstone House. Then, we went to the spice farms where we smelled and saw cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamon, nutmeg, peppercorn. We also ate avocado, some kind of different apple, can't remember name, star fruit, ginger, pineapple, oranges, coconuts, passion fruit, and many more, too many to name. It was absolutely fantastic! This was followed by a just as brilliant lunch at our guide's home. Some pilou (sp?) rice and salad and juice, it was very delicious. As if that wasnt enough, a few of us got painted tatoos while we relaxed on teh couches and watched teh world cup. It was very nice to be in a real home and relax.

Well, off to the night market again for soem dinner and then the beaches tomorrow!!