The best sunset I’ve ever experienced… Zanzibar Island, Tanzania, December 2009.
The other day I was reading this post on Brenna’s blog This Battered Suitcase
where she shared a beautiful picture of a sunrise that she recently witnessed while travelling in India (she is currently doing a 6-month backpacking trip through South and Southeast Asia- awesome!). When she asked her readers to share the location of the best sunrise or sunset they had ever seen, I only had to think for a millisecond before giving my answer: Zanzibar! I had the good fortune of spending two weeks travelling through Kenya, Tanzania, and the island of Zanziber in late 2009. I wrote only briefly on my experience there (maybe I should do a more thorough series of posts on my Africa trip, whaddya think??), and wanted to share this post with those who didn’t catch it the last time around. What a fantastic (but exhausting) trip!
Destination: Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar during the Christmas break.
Kenya: Two days exploring Nairobi after a harrowing 14 hour flight with a faulty entertainment system. Stayed for two nights in a hotel where we feared getting malaria and slept with mosquito nets on, went to the markets, mentally prepared for what came next.
Tanzania: Started a 7-night camping trip where we had to set up and take down our own tents. Went to the Serengeti and watched a wildebeest migration. Camped on the cusp of the Ngorongoro crater. Celebrated Christmas in a tent as the heavens let loose and launched torrents of heavy rain. Ate camp food and African specialties. Was mistaken for a local. Visited a Maasai village and marvelled at their haunting beauty. Had cold showers. Saw every animal imaginable. Ate more food. Got sick. Lived a little. Laughed a lot. Was thankful to have such an experience.
Zanzibar: 4 days of relaxation on the gorgeous beaches there. Danced a lot. Went on a tour of the spice fields there. Had lots of beach-side massages and long, lazy days at the beach. Survived sketchy internet and frequent power outages. Discovered that Eastern African beach-side sunsets are probably the best I’ve ever seen. Rang in the New Year with a wild full moon party on the beach and a late-night frolic in the Indian Ocean.
Conclusion and realization: I hate camping and love hot showers. It was beautiful to be around people who look just like me and see my face reflected in those of strangers. I am blessed to live this life. Coca-cola cures all stomach troubles. There is no hurry in Africa. Black Africa is more beautiful and diverse than I could have ever imagined. I love long bus rides, excessive humidity and heat, and pitch-black skies.
Africa is unreal.
Can’t wait to go back.
64 Comments
Beautiful photos! I so want to see the Serengeti someday!!
Oh Oneika! You're making me all nostalgic for Tzed…I've been "lurking" on this blog for a little while. It's so cool the way you're living your life– it takes a lot of guts to leave your home & live as an expat. Anyway, I just felt moved to comment for the first time reading this. I studied abroad in TZ for a summer and it was such a lovely experience. My class spent a four day weekend in Zanzibar and I have to concur about the sunsets. Just stunning…makes you feel so small and yet incredibly alive and precious to be a witness. It's impressive to have well-traveled person like you say it was the best sunset you've ever seen 🙂 I'd love to hear more about your time in TZ.
Gorgeous pics as always. Tanzania and Zanzibar are on my must see list.
I miss the food!! Those plantains looks so delicious. Yum!!
SO jealous of the picture of the Zebras! One of my fav animals. Was this a specific tour you booked? Details, I want to go!!
That looks like it was great trip. I'm so jealous. LOL.
First off…I love your photos and I'm so putting you on my blog lists
and also tagging you with "one lovely blog award." You can check back on my blog for the rules…
I love traveling and i'm definitely coming to you for tips in the future
Love love love these pics!!!
I'm speechless, that was one heck of a trip you took! You've just fueled my wanderlust to visit that part of the world even more and I thought that was impossible!!! Look at you rocking that bikini!
@Jennie: Thank you! The Serengeti was an amazing experience. I'm going to have to post about it!
@Adey: Tanzania is more gorgeous that I could have ever imagined and the locals are soooo lovely. Zanzibar is definitely a must-see so we have to spread the word to others to encourage them to travel there! Thanks for reading and I'll be sure to blog more about that trip- can't believe I didn't get around to it before!
@Shea: Thanks! South Africa and Egypt are usually more on people's radar (I was no different), but my trip to East Africa opened my eyes to the beauty of the region!
@Nathanz: Oh man! The bbq chicken was even better… 🙂
@Melissa: The zebras were my favourite as well! They are adorable. There were TONS of them everywhere. We went with a tour operator called "Absolute Africa"- the tour was amazing and dirt cheap!
@Flaming: It was fab!! You and your hubby should go for your honeymoon… 🙂
@Stella_Kodi: Aww thank you! So nice of you to award me! Any questions about anything, just ask! My email addy is at the top of the page… 🙂
@Opal: I love yours too! You are living it up in gay Par-ee!
@Andi: Girl, you need to get over there! Best beaches ever and the people are so open and friendly. The food is great and the music and dancing meant that the parties were rocking… As for the bikini pic, thanks!! You are too kind! I'm going to Bali in a month so am trying to work on my bikini bod!
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