[Travel] Doing it tough in Zanzibar

Another hard day in the office…

Current location Zanzibar – nicknamed ‘the spice island’ – a sun-soaked archipelago situated some 70km off the coast of Tanzania. I am currently sitting here in front of the beach (Along with hoards of European tourists on their summer holidays) unashamedly taking it rather easy after returning from the summit Mt Kilimanjaro 3 days ago.Right now things are fairly quiet in Stonetown (the main town of Zanzibar); it is the middle of the month of Ramadan (96% of the island population is Muslim) which has its advantages – most of the touts seem to be laying low, perhaps too lethargic from lack of eating to bother you too much. However it also means many of the restaurants and bars are closed, at least until after the sun goes down. The numbers of tourists is still very high at this time of year although many head out of Stonetown and to the northern beaches where the partying happens.

Each night down by the waterfront the lively food markets spring into action with dozens of competing stalls offering an array of freshly bbq’d fish skewers, octopus, prawns, plantain, samosas, chapati and much more, seasoned with a variety of local herbs and spices. Also delicious is a local drink made from freshly squeezed (using a hand operated iron press) sugar-cane juice mixed with lemon and ginger.

Glorious nightly food market in Forodhani Gardens

Spoilt for choice..