Day 28, 2011/05/29 Dar El Salam to Zanzibar on the ferry

Day 28, 2011/05/29 Dar El Salam to Zanzibar on the ferry

Day 28, 2011/05/29

Since it is sunday, the city appears relatively slow in comparison to the last couple of days. We are up early since, we have to catch the 930 am ferry to Zanzibar. We also leaving all our stuff in Makida beach, so we have get all our stuff in order to store. Once everything is packed, we walk to the main road where we catch a local minibus taxi to the main ferry and then take walk from there to the fast ferry terminal. It is organized chaos. There are all these guys trying to convince you that that you have reserved with them, and trying to win your bussiness. Can be very frustrating at times. Eventually we find the correct ferry office, and after parting with 70 dollars of our cash we are able to board. Like most things in Africa, it is running late but, we manage to get going eeventually. It is a lovely ferry, well air-conditioned and comfi seats. The trip across is about an hour and I try catch up on some sleep. They show some videos onboard, one of which is Leon Schuster's, Mr Bones. It was actually amazing to see how his movies, simple and stupid as they are, are so popular here. The people were laughing there headed off. Very interesting to see and perhaps now, I can understand why he has made soo much money from his movies. 
We arrive and are subjected to passport control. Yes, Zanzibar although part of Tanzania thinks it's self a country of it's own. They even ask us for our yellow fever certificates! Fascinating! 
David and decide to not catch a taxi but rather walk to our accommodation. Stone town has thousands of little allies and, there is no logic to the way they run. So we get very lost and eventually come across a food market. Most interesting to see and experience. We end up buying lovely fresh dates and end up drinking some freshly squeezed juices. Amazing!
Eventually, after seeking assistance, we find Jumbo Guest House. A lovely clean place, and for 15 dollars, including breakfast we have found home for the next three nights. 
After dropping off our bags, we make way to the old fort in search of things to do for the day. We come across a museum which covers the history of the Swahili culture. Very interesting. It shows how the Arab, Indian, Black and 
Portueges cultures have combined to create this amazing melting pot and culture. 
We also find the dive centre and book both a dive and snorkel for following day. 
Then it is back to the guest house for a quick shower and then off to the open air food markets we have heard about. These markets, are held in the main gardens near the fort. It is amazing to see. The food on display is amazing. The fish stalls are full of all sorts of fish including lobster, barracuda, king, and squid. I eventually try a Tanzanian pizza. It turns out to be an omelet and is also, like most things here friend. Nothing really to write home about. Seconds involves trying some the fish. We get soo ripped off that we decide never to do them again! 
Then it is off the guest house for some well deserved sleep.