Zanzibar (2) On the water at 6 am.

This morning we had to get up early (4 am) for a hours taxi ride to our destination. Once there it was lovely. Early morning crisp air, yet still warm and it promised to be a very hot day. Still I enjoyed the cool breeze and the sun coming up to greet us.

Heading out to the boats

All quiet

Early morning sun rise. 

Robin and Bianca  getting ready 

The boats that took us out to look for Dolphins 

On the water

Loved the ready made red sail.
Heading out for the day.

These two fellows off to catch
their meal with a huge basket.

Dawn and still cool.

jennybphotolife: Zanzibar - (1) - Prison Island - Tortoises

jennybphotolife: Zanzibar - (1) - Prison Island - Tortoises: First of all let me say Happy New Year to everyone who reads my Blog. I do hope that 2016 will be a good and wonderful year for all. With ...

Zanzibar - (1) - Prison Island - Tortoises

First of all let me say Happy New Year to everyone who reads my Blog. I do hope that 2016 will be a good and wonderful year for all. With the world in such disarray I hope you can find a spot where you are happy and settled with great friends, family and a bottle of wine at the end of the day as the sun goes down. Wishing you all the very best.

I have just spent a week in Zanzibar with my husband Robin and my daughter Bianca. It was fun and full of unusual things. In the next few days or weeks depending on the electricity and connections here I will upload my photos and  little stories.

I will start with my visit to Prison Island which is only 20 - 30 minute boat ride from Zanzibar. This island was once used as a place where slaves were detained and after this period, it was turned into a camp where people with deadly diseases were sent. Now it is a pretty island which is a nature reserve for the giant tortoise. The original tortoise came from Seychelles -  starting with only two and now they have more than a few. Our guide informed us that there are only three things these creatures love. Food, sleep and lots of sex... His words and he was not wrong about the sex. These creatures live for ages and we were told that their heart beats only 6 times a minute. No wonder they live for ever.

Coming up to the island

Pathway to the main building... interesting walls. 

The new bar in the restaurant area.. used to be a holding cell 

The old bars looking out to sea

Stairs down to the front of the island.... the gate used to
be locked at all times. 

This room used to be a holding cell - Now a  ladies bathroom. When the Arabs took over the island they would put the slaves who did not respect their
masters into this room and chain them to the floor.
You can still see the bolt ring in the floor.

A deep pit where the tortoise sleep, eat and breed.

 Here Bianca is giving the tortoise a scratch which
apparently they love and in appreciation they
stand up on their legs.. Funny that.

This is the biggest tortoise and he is 800 kg's and 154 years old... Wow!

The main prison which is now a restaurant. The island was first called KIBANDIKO
(signal island) and then called CHANGUU (red snapper). In 1890 the British bought
the island and made it into a new prison but it never held any prisoners. 

Here I am scratching his head - he thought this was great
and even got up on his legs for me. There skin is supposed to be
"super" sensitive. I think he thought I would give him a kiss
as the closer he got to my face. Sorry, no such luck. 

Riding home

                                Riding home on the country roads - often coming across obstacles to
                                avoid. Does not seem to be a problem though for either the rider of
                                the cattle.

The Giraffe....

   The Giraffe is such a lovely creature. Nosy at times                                                                                      but always with its head held high. 

A happy family. 

"lets see what is going on over there"..

Cape to Cuba restaurant

We walked into this restaurant not expecting much only to be

really surprised at the decor and the general ambiance. It was amazing and we were told that everything was for sale. The colours and the tables were colourful and simple. The chandeliers were "to die for doll". I loved the whole experience including the food. It was just such a change to the usual restaurants we come across.

Just what the place needed 

Just loved the swing which was set up in the middle of the place.
The the young waiter told us that it was used often as we could well imagine.... who would not want to be swinging between the chandeliers?

Side entrance. I never did find out what the green
figure near the door represented. 

The other side of the restaurant with a bar and sea view.
The casual area.. 

Our view from our verandah.
The train did pass by and made a huge noise

Our table and chairs. 

Loved the swirl of the floors which was an unusual
paint technique .

The main entrance into this restaurant of character.

Blue lights on the road.

A blue light flickers
on and off along the fence

Although I am not good at taking pictures in the evening I thought I would
give this a try as every evening when I drive past I think how lovely it looks along this road. It is a school sign which flickers all night. The blue is vivid and bright against anything else.

Early evening when the blue light is switched on. 

Early eve 

Straight along the fence

Early eve  with the sunset in
the distance.

As the sun goes down the blue filters across the road..

All dark now with the town lights
in the distance.