Reflecting in Zanzibar & Celebrating Differences.

My favorite moment:  while the world around me is being torn apart by religious & cultural differences specifically western / eastern , Muslim/Christian -  two cultures, from two different places, were coming together to share a meal, make memories, and celebrate differences.  I will forever cherish these moments as they have forever changed the way in which I will set out to live my life.

Thank you Africa!

Swahili Cooking Class in Stone Town – Thank You KV tours!

Zanzibar is interlaced with so many fascinating things.  But as with much of Tanzania finding a locally owned and operated tour company can be a bit challenging.  However, with a bit of research and a bit of patience I promise you they are there. 

One such company/foundation is KV tours! I fully support their efforts.  If your in Stone Town you cannot miss hitting these guys up.  They provide unique tours that benefit the community.

Our journey included a Swahili cooking class at a local Zanzibar home.  The owner of the company, Sima was our guide.  He was an excellent source of knowledge and was fully versed in the history of the community. 

Futhermore,  his dedication to his community was so inspirational.  One of his major efforts include teaching English to young kids and adults in this community.  This provides them with a greater chance at finding employment.  He has worked with two western individuals to establish the KV Foundation.

Zanzibar: THE BEST FOOD OF MY LIFE – THANK YOU JOHN KING!

Take this from a NYC food snob – the best food I have had in my life was in Zanzibar and cooked by non other than the Chumbe Island Chef John King!  (and all members of our party agreed).  This man was able to make some of the most magical & tantalizing creations I have ever had from the seafood masala to the grilled fresh fish.  His unique combination of flavors allowed me to taste things  I have never had in my life.  I was too busy drooling over the food to take pictures! Sorry. 

In general Zanzibar cuisine is amazing – it’s a perfect blend of flavors all rolled into one: Middle Eastern, Indian, African, and Western!

TRAVEL TIP:  For any of you with the money to back up restaurant, hire John King as your chef.  I promise you instant success!

Chumbe Island: A little bit of Paradise in the Indian Ocean

We took charter plan from the western Tanzania to arrive in Zanzibar.  From there we caught a tiny boat that would take us to Chumbe Island.  It is serene, private, & has a healing peaceful quality about it.

Chumbe Island is a small island off the eastern coast of Zanzibar.  The island itself is privately owned but locally operated.  The majority of the staff are from the local African community. Only 12 people are able to stay on the island at once in bungalows that fit two people at  a time.  There is no electricity except for at the main lodge.  Everything else is eco friendly and has been built with renewable products. 

The island does an amazing job of carrying this theme throughout including composting toilets, naturally made shampoo & insect repellant.  

The island works with the local community to develop sustainable fishing strategies and its conservation projects makes for some of the best snorkeling around! We were able to follow an old sea turtle for about 20 minutes.  He was huge & a joy to watch.

My Fav:  At the end of each season they close the island down and the workers families are invited to come and stay at the island for a weekend of fun and exploration!

Zanzibar: Where the East Meets the West

If your in Tanzania you cannot miss Zanzibar! 

For so long this place seemed like a far off land that I would never reach, but in continuing with making dreams come true after our safari , I was able to go to this complex and beautiful island in the Indian Ocean where the flavors of the east meet the flavors of the west.

The history of Zanzibar has always interested me in that is one of the oldest ports in the world, some say dating back to the early 1100's.  Its' cultural richness is infinite as it has been the central location for the intermingling of Middle Eastern, African, Indian, and European cultures.  While it is divided by its differences it is united by its unique multi cultural make up which is reflected in  complex culinary cuisine.

 My only regret, not having more time to spend. 

TRAVEL TIP: GET OUT OF THE BIG TIME RESORTS WHICH IS WHERE MOST PEOPLE GO TO.  SEE THE PEOPLE AND EXPIERENCE THE ISLAND!

I will never forget the sunsets, the busy beach evenings, the kids yelling Mazunga (white person/tourist), and the poverty of the island.  What is most frustrating is seeing a village in front of a 5 star resort that hasn’t even attempted to engage the community at its doorstep.  Something as simple as building a road is foregone.  Hats off to the private hotels that are working to make a difference.

Tanzania: The best guide in town!

There are a ton of a companies out there doing safari’s at all different price levels.  From budget to luxury (if you go budget just make sure you do your research & that you know what your getting into, people have been known to be left in the middle of nowhere!).  

Finding a locally run and operated tour company in Tanzania is challenging but not impossible.  I was delighted to find out that our friend had found the perfect pair of guides for our trip:  Baba (a Masai elder) & a young Tanzanian on his way to building his business.

Our guides were beyond perfect.  Baba, was like a grandpa figure throughout our entire journey.  He had a watchful eye and a tender heart.  Each morning he would greet us with “Hello My Children” and each evening we would end it with “Asanti Baba”!

Our main guide, Rob, was an inspirational young Tanzanian man who is in the process of building up his safari business employing local people.  He himself had grown up in an area of Arusha known for danger but dreamed big and has done everything in his power to push for a better life.  Through good fortune he was able to go to school for wildlife & environmental conservation.  He now owns and operates  safari tours and treks up Kilamangro.  If your going, let me know, I would gladly recommend you.

These two individuals are so inspirational and really made our journey the best it could have ever been!

Safari Planning

A Safari Adventure.

Having someone on the ground to help with the logistics of planning this safari was key.  Our friend in Arusha was able to get the skinny on where to stay, when, and who the best guide in town was (more on that later). 

Our journey:

Ngorongoro Crater where we stayed at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge.

This is a must when you!  It’s packed with animals.

Ndutu where we stayed at Ndutu Safari Lodge

This most beautiful stars gazing while a campfire burns.  Highlight: seeing a mama lion play with her cubs.

Serengeti - we stayed at two places:

Serengeti Serena Lodge

Serena Hotels Mbuzi Mawe tented Camp

Waking up and seeing giraffes at both of these locations was stunning.
Highlight: being told that once sun sets you have to call for an armed escort as to avoid getting eaten by animals while walking back and forth from the dinner tent.

Tanzania: Arusha has the best Indian food ever ...I swear!

Arusha - It’s chill and laid back.  Our first day consisted of hitting up a local African restaurant where had our first taste of Ugali.  It’s made from corn and its consistency a bit sticky, a bit like mash potatoes.  If you get the technique right you use your hand to make a ball, your thumb to make a dip, and then you scoop in your food.  I was a totally mess by the time I was done – but you gotta give everything 1 shot.  Right?

In the evening we headed for an African/Indian chicken joint situated in the back roads of Arusha.   I loved this place!  It is a mechanic shop by day and one of Arusha’s most popular chicken joints by night!  It was yum yum good! My favorite quote of the night, “I’m a chicken man”.

THE BEST INDIAN FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD WAS IN AFRICA.  Ok that statement might seem a little odd but I swear to you, as someone who has been to India and lives in NYC, this little Indian restaurant in Arusha was the best I have ever had.

Tanzania: A dream come true…my long awaited journey to Africa.

For as long as I can remember I have dreamed of going to Africa.  There has always been something inside of me that has drawn me to this continent.  I still can’t wait put my  finger on it – maybe it’s the people, maybe it’s the history, the origin of man, maybe its Serengeti, maybe its all of those things.  But I finally got a chance to discover just a sliver of this vast continent with a trip Tanzania. 

It’s hard to put into words just how amazing this part of the journey was for me.  It's an experience that at times left me speechless and has left me wanting to return since my departure.  We were so blessed to have met the people we did along the way – so inspirational.  The animals are beyond words.  The best food of my life.  I now understand  when people I have met before told me, “go to Africa, there something totally different there, unlike anywhere before, it changes you, it touches your soul”. 

I don’t yet have all the words to do this trip justice so I am hoping that pictures will inspire you and that highlights I do cover will push yourself to make the journey as well.