For a long time i have seen pictures of Zanzibar and it’s white sandy beaches and turqoise water so now was the time to go. It was ”on the way home from South Africa”-ish anyway. After the very hectic tourist agenda in South Africa it was fantastic to lay down in a sun chair reading a book and only movement was 10 meters to restaurant and a roll down the beach to the sea or swimmingpool. For me 4 days was enough to wind down and to feel relaxed and also enough to gain some extra kilos. But now some facts about Zanzibar!

There are 85% muslims, 4% christians and the rest being hindu and other smaller religions living on the island. There is also a small group of Masaii people from the mainland that manage hotel and restaurant security on the island as well as trading goods on the beach. Everyone live in peace and you can get married across religions - no problem. My driver was a muslim and he proudly told me he has 2 wifes and 6 kids! They can have up to 4 wifes if they want.

The main town is Zanzibar Town and Stone Town being part of Zanzibar Town and inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Behind all the beautiful beaches, hotels, resort and rich marine life, Zanzibar and Stone Town has a dark history with slave trade during a period of 400 years. It started in 1600 and ended 1909. It was the Portuguese and Omanians that captured native people from East-Central Africa and brought them to Zanzibar - less risk for escapes. Children, women and men were traded but before they were sold, they were tested who was the strongest and were locked into small dungeons in darkness under the ground. People died of all sorts of diseases but those who survived and didn’t complain were sold at a high price.

In mid 19th century, England abolished slavery and they sent missionaries to Zanzibar to work for abolishing slavery. They managed and where the slave market used to take place they built a church which is used today and is part of the guided tour that I definitely recommend everyone to do when in Stone Town. It’s an incredibly cruel but interesting history that will make you walk away from the place touched to tears and with stomach pain.

This artwork is created by a Swedish artist called Clara Sörnäs and funded by several Swedish companies. It was placed to the site in the 90s.

The island has a very relaxed feeling and the downside for a person coming from a big city and used to fast pace environments - everything takes double or triple the time! It even feels as if people walk slower! But instead of getting stressed, try to get into the island mode and sit back and relax! People are friendly and helpful and on the beach you will be aproached by the beach boys and people selling goods! You will also feel that they fooled you when you negotiate prices but if it makes you feel better - you have supported a poor person who is most likely supporting a poor family!

Hakuna Matata!

 I travelled to South Africa with extremely high expectations but also with some worries over the high crime rate that everyone talks about and of course omikron. The trip wasn’t confirmed until i sat on the plane. Luckily nothing was cancelled. With the crime I learnt it’s like any other big cities - move around with common sense and omikron was rapidly going down in South Africa so didn’t see any of that.

I left Sweden 27 December with a temperature of minus 8. My skin was white and dry all over. To say the least, i was excited to go! Weather in South Africa is very unpredictable and we experieced some chilly and rainy days and evenings and some days with over 40 degrees. So what i didn’t know; pack clothes for almost 4 seasons.

I joined Nomad Adventure Tours in Durban and we travelled approx 3500km via Drakensberg and garden route to Cape Town during 13 days. A country and people that has (like many other) suffered from loss of tourism incomes over covid. That’s why it felt so incredibly good to do this trip and to support local companies and people in villages selling souvenirs and services. We have been treated with love and appreciation wherever we have been! Lodge owners that haven’t seen groups in 2 years were so happy we were there!.

The group that i travelled with, from mainly European countries, but also USA consisted of very well-travelled people. People that do not worry, complain or get stressed if situation is not exactly according to plan or not as comfortable as to what you are used to at home. People with social skills that are contributing to a nice and warm atmosphere. We spent the whole days together and i am surprised how well we all got on. I have made some friends for life!

South Africa has an unemployment rate of 40%. The townships (kåkstäder) are crowded with people without jobs. They do however get some help from the state. I find the country being hugely segregated with many of the countrys’ black people in the townships and white in the well organised towns and areas. It’s just an observation I have made but there is probably a lot more to it that i don’t know about.

The infrastucture in the country is well developed apart from maybe trainline and public transport such as busses, tubes and trams in the cities. It’s a well developed country in general and it’s not until you drive past enormous townships you realise that there are a lot of poor people in the country.

The prices in South Africa for Europeans are extremely low. The flight here is long and expensive but once you get here it’s sooooo cheap and for the quality you get it is really good value for money!

The country reminds me of America with all the chicken fast food restaurants and very large portions wherever you go, Australia because it offers a lot of adventurous outdoor activities and some places where surfers get together, New Zeeland because of big areas with green hills and of course Africa with all its culture, wild animals, wine and history. So much to explore and so much to do.

Two (or maybe three…) main problems they are struggeling with are poverty/inequalities and illegal hunting of wild animals - trofé hunting. The third quite irritating problem is that the toilet paper is too thin….. everywhere you go…. if you know what i mean, but with extremely clean public toilets everywhere and with soap and water to wash your hands it was not a big issue.

So thank you wonderful South Africa for showing me the best of what you can offer! It worked and I will definitely be back!