Zanzibar: Mnemba Island

This little day trip deserved its own post, mainly because of the number of photos I took. We wanted to do a bit of snorkelling, have a day out on the boat and possibly even see some dolphins. Mnemba island snorkelling tour seemed the best match and the boat picked you up from right in front of your hotel which was very convenient. The plan was to take a traditional dhow up to the reefs around Mnemba, then have lunch and a chill on on a beach on mainland and then maybe our way back for sunset.

Mnemba is a private island so you cant actually set foot on it unless you are staying in the very exclusive resort (think Bill Gates and Beyonce..), however the protected reef Mnemba Atoll around it is a divers favorite and thats where we were headed for a spot of snorkelling.

We headed off around 8am with 10 other people and it wasn't long until we bumped into some dolphins, my boyfriend is a huge fan and we were both quite excited about seeing this many! An incredible start to the day.

The water was just an unbelievable shade of blue, or more like a whole range of shades! I love the little fishing boats that are everywhere, the make the scenery even more beautiful and are of course responsible for all the lovely sea food I stuffed myself with.

I was a little bit disappointed by the snorkelling itself. There were lots of fish around but the reef wasn't very colourful. Maybe it's better for diving but both of agreed that we had seen better.

We got back on the boat and headed for lunch back to a stunning beach on the mainland. Lunch was a simple affair of tuna, rice and a cold beer.

We enjoyed a swim and taking some pictures, the water was very warm and the scenery breath taking.

Bikini Top: Calzedonia

Bikini Bottoms: New Look

Sunglasses: Rayban

We headed back happy and slightly sun burned napping on the dhow. We arrived just on time for sundown and sipped on frozen cocktails (me) and ice cold beers (him). What a perfect day! 

Zanzibar: Kendwa and Nungwi

We spent 5 nights at Kendwa beach in a hotel called Gold. The hotel was okay but not really the 5 star quality that we are used to. The pool area was gorgeous and the room was big, airy and clean. We stayed there on an all inclusive basis and I have to say that the food was not the best. Breakfast was pretty poor, lunch was decent and only dinners were delicious with lots of fresh sea food, freshly grilled meats and tasty curries. Drinks included were house wines, beers, a selection of cocktails and your basic liquors. The hotel had a private beach area with sun loungers that then joined onto the public beach. Beach vendors, beach boys and massage ladies were not allowed to the hotel beach but as soon as you stepped to the main part you were free game. It was quite a challenge to walk on the beach uninterrupted and if we went to a resort in Zanzibar again we would choose a one with a fully private beach or at least a much quieter beach. Other than a day trip to Mnemba Island (post coming up) we spent our days lazing around the pool and the beach, exploring the little beach shops and swimming in a quiet bay we found down the beach. In the evenings we would pop into the very lively neighbouring hotel Kendwa Rocks for a drink or 3. I will let the pictures do most of the the talking and tell you about our snorkelling trip in the next post.

The beach was absolutely gorgeous and the water clear and blue as can be.

There were lots of Italians in Kendwa and bizzarely lots of the beach boys spoke Italian, we found this quite strange and as I am quite dark I was constantly mistaken for an Italian.

Our evening swims in the little bay we found were a definite highlight. The sunsets in Zanzibar are some of the most beautiful ones I have seen.

Monokini: Ebay

Sunglasses: Rayban

The hotel reception and a lovely dinner (probably my favorite!) by the pool. The theme for the night was white and gold so I did my best...

Dress: Lolita Boutique Singapore

Bag: Accesorize

Wedges: Bershka

Jewellery: H&M and Dubai Souk

This was the only night we had dinner outside our hotel on Nungwi beach which is next door. I had had a delicious lobster here two years ago and wanted to find it again. I think they saw how excited I was and gave my two lobsters! Sea food heaven, fresh, barbequed and dunked in garlic butter washed down by lovely refreshing mojitos.

Dress: Forever 21

Bracelets: Masai Shop, Zanizibar

A typical sight in Zanzibar! Literally straight out of the sea and onto my plate.

If you are after a lively beach with lots of activities and a bit of partying, choose Nungwi or Kendwa, both are stunning but with lots going on.

I have so many pictures from our trip to Mnemba,  can't wait to share them in the next post.

Zanzibar: Stone Town

I spent most of my childhood in Africa in Ethiopia and Tanzania. Africa will always have a special place in my heart and I absolutely love it there. My dad did a lot of work in Zanzibar and I have visited more times than I can remember, it never gets old and I will never get bored of it. I love the smell of cloves in the air, the beautiful, narrow streets of Stone Town, the stunning beaches and the turquoise waters, the amazingly fresh seafood and the slow pace of life.

My best friend still lives in Tanzania and she recently got married in the Ngorogoro crater. My boyfriend and I decided to make a holiday out of the wedding trip and spent 6 days in Zanzibar. We had such an amazing time so I thought I would share some of it with you. 

We spent our first night in Stone Town in a lovely hotel called Maru Maru in the center of town. The hotel had a stunning roof terrace with amazing views and it was the perfect spot for some sun downers.

Dress: Forever 21

Bag: Accessorize

Sunglasses: Rayban

Jewellery: Dubai Souk

We strolled around the streets and grabbed a bite to eat at the night market before heading over to an indian restaurant for dinner. Zanzibar is known as the spice island as they grow every spice imaginable, you are guaranteed an amazing curry!

The next day we did some exploring, a bit of shopping and general wondering around. 

Dress: Asos

Handbag: Michael Kors and Stone Town Boutique

Sunglasses: Rayban

Bracelet: URU Diamonds

We could have easily spent another day in Stone Town and it's definitely worth a visit if you are going to Zanzibar. Remember to stop off at the buzzing spice market to pick up the freshest spices for next to nothing! Stone town has gotten a lot more touristy since my last visit and in a way lost a little bit of its charm with it. Bargaining in shops is a must and you can generally get it for less than half of what they are initially asking. We said our good byes and headed up to Kendwa up on the North West coast, about an hour away from Stone Town.