Day 25

I just got "home" (aka the guest house) from one of the most beautiful places in the world! It's also one of UNESCO's official world heritage sites. Zanzibar was definitely the best way to celebrate my 19th birthday. It was possibly the best day of my life - it started out with breakfast on the roof top of our hostel with a beautiful view of historical Stonetown. Next, we started our day-long tour. 

The first stop was Prison Island - also known as Changuu (Kiswahili for red/white snapper) or Quarantine Island. In the late 19th/early 20th century, it was originally established as an island for rebellious slaves to be imprisoned at. However, as communicable diseases began to take over the British decided to use it as a "rest & relaxation resort" and quarantined area for sick British people living in East Africa. While on the island, we visited the tortoise sanctuary where we saw over a dozen, century-old tortoises. We even saw a couple of them mating, and one of them decided to chew a hole in my skirt. Can't say that happens to you every day!

After leaving Prison Island we drove the boat to the other side where we had the chance to snorkel. There was virtually no one else around, other than a few fishermen near the shore. It was 10-30 feet deep where we were, and it looked untouched. There was so much coral, tropical fish, and undersea creatures that I have only ever seen in pictures. It was incredible, definitely the peach of my day :)

When we returned to shore we hopped into the van and drove to a local home where the Mama made us a traditional Tanzanian meal. One of her daughters shared a birthday with me, so they sang happy birthday to us both. It was adorable. Straight from there we went to a national monument - a 100 year old bathhouse made by the Sultan of Zanzibar for his wife. Our last stop was a spice farm, where we saw every kind of spice imaginable - ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, and a bunch of others that I couldn't even pronounce the name of! The day was wrapped up with a delicious dinner and a night of fun with the whole group :)

Getting on the plane in Dar. We flew with Precision Air, which is  Kenya Air's equivalent of Air Canada Tango, so it was very safe! And only a ten minute flight!

This is the boat we took to Changuu Island (also known as Prison or Quarantine Island)...we even got to set sail!

Such beautiful water!! This is Jennifer :)

One of the most beautiful places in the world!

Tortoises that were over 100 years old!

The place where we stayed - Princess Salme Inn. Great roof top view!

Alex and I waiting to board the plane home

Jen and I made peanut butter-oatmeal-chocolate chunk cookies when we got home tonight - gloooorious!