Zanzibar (9) - Seed Weed

While walking on the beach we kept seeing women picking up things in the green sea weed along the edge of the water and putting it into a bucket so we decided to ask them what it was all about..

Mostly women collect this seed weed.


In Stone Town our Guide told us that this weed is
used for 'Hallucination' to get rid of evil and also it is used like a drug. It is dried and the powder is used. "Very Strong" he said.

A young girl with her hands full.

A full Basket - a good days work. 

 Even very early in the morning the woman are
out looking for the weed and any fish they
may find.

This little girl was  lovely and at the end of the evening her bucket was full. 

           Robin holding the weed. It is like rubber and
a little sticky. 

The hotel guard said that this weed was used
for soap in China and..... "other things". He was
not happy to tell us what.

                     Up Close.....              

                 

Zanzibar (8) Transport

Where ever we traveled there were bicycles, motor bikes and Dhalla Dhalla's galore.  

Cycling through the dust and
into the sun... This picture was taken
through the front windscreen...

Bikes in a peaceful setting. 

Dhalla Dhalla's is like the local bus - everyone uses
it to get from A to B as it is a cheap mode of transport. The fellow standing up on the back step of the vehicle is the conductor. He takes the money and calls for people to use his Dhalla Dhalla. They drive all over the place and it seems that first come first served.

The Dhalla Dhalla is also used for carrying anything and
everything in its roof. 

Dropping off the wife.

All modes of transport used to take bananas to the market 

                      The conductor is leaning out
                     calling for more passengers. The
                     roof of the vehicle is not very
                     high and everyone sits on benches.

Chatting along the way was all par
for the course. After all no one was
ever in that much of a hurry.

Friends racing home and the lower one got the better I suppose. 

"NIPERIPOTI"  written on this bus means
"Give me the news" which I thought was fun. 

Zanzibar - (7) - WATER

Water is very precious here in Zanzibar. Many folk walk miles to collect a bucket or can of water. In Stone Town you see pipes running above your head which go from house to house so that they too can have running water. I thought about our water systems in our homes which we take for granted most of the time - we are very lucky

With his shopping basket too.. all in a days work. 

 Water, water a much needed commodity and a daily chore for most folk on the island.

I would hate to think how heavy these
"chigubes"  plastic containers weigh and the balance on the bike he would have to achieve to move with out falling all over the place.

Not so clear but you get the picture.

 (Picture taken from the car through the front wind screen) 

Zanzibar (6) Darajani Market

We arrived at about 9 am in the morning at the market expecting it not to be too crowed but we were wrong on that thought. The place was buzzing with people, chickens, bikes and flies. It was very hot which did not help.

Our guide here is talking about dates. These were covered
in flies which did not seem to worry them but it sure
worried us - hence we did not purchase any.

Outside market getting ready

Bianca put one of these "hats" on her head
only to discover they were food covers. Beautifully woven.

The local cobbler

The bread man

All the different spices

In the very, very smelly fish market. The meat market was
no better where the smell was concerned. 

                                                  Fresh...                                                                           

These banana's are huge and the
guide said they call them
"elephant tusks"

Zanzibar (5) Henna painting.

Today Bianca decided to have her hand painted with Henna. The designs are beautiful and it takes time to decide what one wants.

Bianca sits patiently and still
while the lady paints

Beginning

All done.

Unfortunately due to the heat and the oils in the skin
this design soon seeped into the skin around the paint
and melted ... such a pity and very disappointing
for Bianca. 

Zanzibar (4) Octopus

On our little excursion snorkeling we came across a star fish and an octopus which our captain caught.

Bianca with the Star Fish. It was
beautiful in the sunlight.

With the Octopus and touching its smooth head.

Up Close

The star fish was heavier than
I thought it would be.

Here the Octopus gets hold of our hands and before
we know it the tentacles are moving up our arms at
a rapid speed. Very creepy.

The guide informed us the the first thing they do is to head to a face to block the nose and mouth. The
suckers are very sticky and cling like crazy..

We put both the star fish and the octopus back into the water and the passing goodbye from the
Octopus was a cloud of blue/black ink. Gone in a flash. 

Zanzibar (3) Beautiful colour

Everywhere I went there were women dressed in various combinations of patterns and colour. It was so cheerful to see in this hot climate. Due to their religion many woman have to have their heads and shoulders covered. I did try to wear a shawl over my head and shoulders but omg it was so hot and humid that really I don't know how these woman do it. It may have kept the sun off my shoulders but it sure make my face red and I am glad I don't have to do it on an everyday basis..

Most of these pictures were taken from the car window as we buzzed along so some of the clarity is missing but you will get the general idea.

Here I am with my head covered
but oh my it was so hot and we
were standing under a red plastic
cover hence the very red glow
to the picture.

Even her make up was bright and suited her so well. 

Yellow was one of my favourite colours. 

Beautiful girl. 

This lady standing here was ready
to sell the piles of wood in a floral outfit which
reminded me of the 70's prints.

Happy Days.