2/13/14: ZANZIBAR: OLD TOWN

2/13/14: ZANZIBAR: STONE TOWN

The evening before we went to the Hilton Doubletree Resort where many, many tourists stay and which has a package deal that includes all meals, drinks, etc. Though it took over two hours with their wifi, we finally managed to upload all of our blogs, so we are current!  There was a great band, lots of dancing.  I got up for a salsa.  There were some fabulous dancers on the floor of different nationalities, so I gave it my all and stayed dancing for as long as my stammer lasted. Consequently, I, Joanie, slept well, even though my body itched from the sun, whatever small bites from sand flees, etc. and woke up refreshed.

the delighted cook requested I take this photo!

The cook had promised us pancakes "with eggs" and mangoes, plus some oranges, tea and coffee.  He delivered, proudly, in a fancy blue shirt.  We wrapped the mangoes in the two large pancakes, which looked like large chapattis with more egg in them, and they were delicious.

Walked to the daladala stand and got on the one leaving.  Cost was $1.25 each for the two hour ride into Stone Town, which, by taxi, had cost us at least ten times more, $25, but only lasted one hour.  Felt like we were back in the swing of things.  Many police stops harass the drivers but keep the passenger count lower, so the vehicles aren't so crowded and everyone has a seat.  Three women from Canada we walked with waited for the traditional daladala which is just a flatbed truck with a low roof and  has open steel window grates and people sit facing each other on long benches.  We saw one in particular speeding along and were happy we weren't on that one.

back of traditional dala dala

 

We are now at our hotel in Stone Town, 1001 Nights, in a room with two single beds, sharing two bathrooms among four rooms, so, not bad.  Very clean, with wifi, good fan, really kind, pregnant, young receptionist, for $40 per night for the room, which includes breakfast.  Yo went off to get money at an ATM, and water while I showered and did laundry, putting the stuff on a ladder on the roof.  Stuff will dry in an hour.  

She recommended a restaurant next door, Passing Show (named after a brand of cigarettes that are no longer sold), which turned out to be listed as the #1 place for locals in the Rough Guide to Zanzibar, for some lunch. Then we explored the waterfront buildings, museums and parks of Stone Town and arrived early at the Old Fort for the first night of the concert, which goes from 4 pm to 2 am.  We shall see how crazy it is!  We have tickets for just one night Yo got in advance, of 4 nights, but we have heard that there's music everywhere, so tomorrow night we will see about that.  Tickets are much more expensive for muzungus than locals, like $15 for the whole weekend for locals and $125 in advance for tourists. What a surprise we got, when the woman looked at our printout and put "All Festival" Bracelets on our wrists, a $400 value!  We then walked down Kenyatta St., checking out the numerous souvenir shops, to the park in front of the newly restored African House Hotel for the opening activities of the festival. This consisted of numerous performances by small groups before they would lead a parade to the Old Fort. 

We watched for awhile then went ahead of them to get some good seats at the Festival.