If you’re still not sure what New Year’s resolutions you want to set yourself for the coming year, we put together 9 reasons to visit the little island off the eastern coast of Africa and jump into 2016 in style!
1. YES, THESE ARE THE TROPICS!
The interplay of high and low tide in the sleepy fishing village of Paje in the south-eastern part of Zanzibar creates two large and shallow lagoons lapped by impossibly turquoise waters, while fun waves roll off the reef 2km from the shore. And to top it off, perfect 15 to 20 side-shore knots of wind blow over them in January. We would hardly need any more reasons to go but let’s continue.
2. SHARE YOUR BREAKFAST WITH A MONKEY
If you want company during your daily portion of coconut or mango for breakfast, our closest relatives will be more than happy to join in. :)
3. WHY NOT TRY A PIZZA WITH A TWIST?
Local food ranks among the best in Africa and has a touch of Indian, Arabic and African cuisine. Numerouse spices are usually added to it but it’s never too spicy so it’s suitable for us, soft Europeans. Zanzibar is also known for its pizza, which is not really a pizza but more of a pancake with various toppings, such as nutella, shrimps, chicken or cheese.
4. GET LOST IN THE LABYRINTHINE STREETS OF STONE TOWN
You can wander the narrow streets of Stone Town, UNESCO's World Heritage Site, stroll along the promenade along the seafront or visit the old slave market and Sultan’s palace. In the spice garden, you can breathe in the heady smells of spices growing in nature: cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many more.
5. FREDDIE RULES!
Town locals are very proud of their most famous son – it is exactly here where Faroukh Bulsara aka Freddie Mercury was born! So, while walking around the town, you can sing Queen’s greatest hits: Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? ... Lalalala ... Because I'm easy come, easy go, little high, little low, anyway the wind blows, doesn't really matter to meeeee…
6. GO FOR A DRIVE AROUND THE ISLAND WITH A BIKE OR SCOOTER
Zanzibar is 90km long and 50km wide so innumerable local secrets are only a short taxi, bike or scooter ride away.
7. DISCOVER LOCAL SECRETS OF PAJE VILLAGE
Paje is built in traditional Swahili style and if you venture into its dusty streets, soon kids asking for sweets or biscuits will be following right behind. The locals usually spend their days collecting seaweed, which ends up in your face cream, make ropes out of coconut fibres or repair and build their traditional boats or dhows.
8. SUP AMONG MANGROVES or PLAY FOOTBALL ON SAND
You could also grab an SUP and paddle through the mangroves, go diving along the reef, admire dolphins, walk with monkeys under baobab trees or go fishing on the open sea. Every evening, you can also test your skills in very serious football matches with both, locals and tourists, young and old, that are usually followed by an obligatory drink or two.
9. PARTY BAREFOOT UNDER THE STARS!
Close your eyes and imagine sounds that are some sort of mix of African, Arabic and Indian rhythms, sky sprinkled with stars, wind rustling in palm tress and your bare feet sinking into fine sand... Mmm, downright magical, isn’t it? We find it hard to imagine a better place to party.
Well, these were our African dreams in short and we invite you to make them true right at the start of next year. Check out our offer, a couple more places are still available. See you there!
