Day 2 in Zanzibar has us back on the water with the Cruise Critic group which used Across Africa for this tour. Across Africa then uses a local company, Safari Blue for our days excursion to the Menai Bay Conservation Area. This area has been designated as a conservation area since 1998 due to its outstanding natural beauty. The ride out there is on a Unesco protected designed Dhow sailing vessel and included two snorkelling sites and swimming off an impressive sandbar. After our swim and snorkelling we stopped at a ‘desert island” (Kwale Island) for a freshly caught seafood lunch. This was not a boxed lunch but a fully catered prepared lunch served on crockery and table linens. Beer, wine, soft drinks and shots of Amarula (similar to Baileys Irish cream) all included. After our lunch we did a short walk to the biggest Baobab tree on the island which fell hundreds of years ago, but it is still standing and growing today. We ended our day back at the Sandbar for one more swim before our beautiful Dhow set her sail and cruised us back to the beach. Just a fantastic tour.
We left at about 3pm for the, what should have been 30 minute drive back to the port and the tender but as we entered the city, the traffic just stopped. Remember when I mentioned the busyness of the port with all the ferries? Well our guide then says to us, that a big ferry is now in with lots of commercial goods and people, so it is busy. So, yes it was and we could see our driver was getting a little nervous as the 4pm hour approached (4:30 pm is last tender). He began honking his horn even when there was no chance to go anywhere. Then we are inches behind a car that just sat there as room was opening up in front of him, he just leaned on the horn. One of the passengers just put his arm out the window which led to more honking. The driver then came out, I’m thinking oh oh (I’m in the front seat by the way) he approaches our driver just when the two other doors open up and two men come out, oh oh again. Our driver chats with the other driver when the two other go to the back of the car and begin pushing as the driver returns to his car to help steer it off the main road. So, they ran out of gas. Thumbs went up as we passed. The traffic began moving when we also recently learned that all traffic did have to stop because the Vice President came off that ferry and the procession had to go past delaying everyone by 15 minutes. We were on the 4:20 tender, so we did make it in time.
A great full day as we left the ship at 7:30 so basically the beginning of tendering to almost the end. A few pics of our day on the water, hope you enjoy…
Quote of the day, “Live life with no excuses, travel with no regret.” - Oscar Wilde
Real beach bum’s M&S
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