After arriving on July 9 early in the morning in Stonetown, Zanzibar, I left my bag at the travel agency for the day and started to explore the beautiful Stonetown. My intention was to walk around the main sights while waiting for my parents who would arrive in the evening from the Mafia island. However, relatively soon I met three girls from Finland who work in Tanzania as journalists for a few months. Two of them, Jenni and Eeva, were going to a few not-so-touristic places in the town and invited me to join them. It was great to see places that I would have never found alone on that day. Photo Collection 1

In the early afternoon, the two girls were invited by a local family, whose ancestors were form Yemen, to their home for lunch. I was very happy that the invitation was extended so that I was allowed to come, as well. The family was extremely hospitable! The two parents with their five children, aged 2-17, made us some excellent food, which we then traditionally ate at the floor with our hands. Now when the vacation is over, I may say that this was one of the four highlights of the whole trip! Photo Collection 2

In the evening, I met my parents and went with them to the east coast of the island. The next three days we were going to stay in the Kempinski Hotel Resort. There was absolutely no action. Rather, it was a chance to get rid of all stress and tiredness on the beach, on the swimming pool, under the palm trees, and with good food. The only exception to the quietness was a visit to the local village just next to the beach a kilometer or so away. This was my first contact with the culture of black Africa. Photo Collection 3

Moshi, Aishi, Kilimanjaro, Machame trail, HC meeting, Rwanda-Burungi Court Tribunal, Arusha, Tarangire, Swala, Lake Manyara, Gibbs farm, Ngorongoro, Kusini south Serengeti, Oldupai Gorge Maasai village, another game drive, Olekira, Western Corridor...

To be continued...

PHOTOS COMING SOON...