Where the heck is Zanzibar

October 31 – November 1, 2010

There’s been no time for jetlag on this adventure. Shortly after breakfast yesterday at the SeaCliff Hotel we found ourselves on a large ferry boat named Kilimanjaro headed out into the Indian Ocean for the island of Zanzibar. Zanzibar is famous for its blend of Indian Ocean cultures derived from being a major trade route for over 1000 years. It also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and it and the surrounding islands provide fantastic fishing opportunities. Unfortunately we didn’t have time for fishing and this was just a quick side adventure from making our tigerfishing film that we will begin tomorrow.

Another interesting thing about Zanzibar is that today, November 1st, is Election Day. This is a terrible time to visit Zanzibar because during the last elections major violence broke out and led to mass bloodshed in the streets. Of course, when we planned this trip we had no idea about the election and really didn’t become aware of the situation until yesterday. Fortunately everything turned out ok. There was definitely tension and we actually watched locals run from the military on one frightening occasion, but overall our visit was good.

First of all the 21/2 hour ferry boat ride to Zanzibar was one to remember. The Indian Ocean appeared clean and healthy and teaming with life. Flying fish scattered from the ferry nearly the entire trip and if you kept a watchful eye you’d spot porpoise leaping in our wake. When we arrived on Zanzibar the streets were quiet. Locals peered from shop doors and homes and stared at us. Very few made much attempt to speak to us or even stranger try to sell us anything, something you normally can’t get away from in the far corners of the globe. Jim Klug whom I introduced in a blog earlier this week had us booked into the famous Africa House. We checked in then hit the town to see the sites and film the people.

The previously curious folks of Zanzibar seemed to warm up to us fast. They were very friendly and wanted to meet us. The kids were especially fun and we had a couple of highlights with them. One was a big game of soccer which Jim Harris and I played. I haven’t really said much of Harris because I didn’t meet him until the trip. He’s a good friend of Klug's and Chris Patterson's (I introduced Chris a few days ago also) and great photographer. He’s along to help with the film. Harris and I were on opposing teams and I started as the goalie for my team while he played the field for his. I made a couple great saves (I thought they were) then Jim went and scored on me. The kids pulled me from the net and stuck me on the field immediately. We must have played for 15 minutes. Jim and I ate dirt and sweated to death. Miraculously I scored on his team and my teammates yelled good shot cowboy which as one of the most hilarious things I have ever heard in Africa. The best part about it Chris filmed the entire game and a few seconds of it will likely make our film. We spent the sunset watching kids practice back flips off an old tire on the beach. It was absolutely incredible!

I’m afraid it’s time to meet the boys of Tourette. Rather than me save this a week I’m simply going to say we had a great night and then today on Zanzibar. We visited the fish market and spice market and then things got sketchy with some showdowns threats from military. I don’t mess around when the political heat cranks up so we went back to the Africa House and packed it up and headed for the ferry back to Dar es Salaam.

That’s it for now. In the morning we leave early for the African bush and hopefully some huge tigerfish. Expect full day to day stories in a week or so when I have internet access again.

Special Note - Because I am in the Confluence Film I will be very limited on taking my own pictures. A special thanks to Jim Klug, Jim Harris and Chris Patterson for providing most of what you see on the blog from this Africa trip.

First of all the 21/2 hour ferry boat ride to Zanzibar was one to remember. The Indian Ocean appeared clean and healthy and teaming with life. Flying fish scattered from the ferry nearly the entire trip and if you kept a watchful eye you’d spot porpoise leaping in our wake. When we arrived on Zanzibar the streets were quiet. Locals peered from shop doors and homes and stared at us. Very few made much attempt to speak to us or even stranger try to sell us anything, something you normally can’t get away from in the far corners of the globe. Jim Klug whom I introduced in a blog earlier this week had us booked into the famous Africa House. We checked in then hit the town to see the sites and film the people.

The previously curious folks of Zanzibar seemed to warm up to us fast. They were very friendly and wanted to meet us. The kids were especially fun and we had a couple of highlights with them. One was a big game of soccer which Jim Harris and I played. I haven’t really said much of Harris because I didn’t meet him until the trip. He’s a good friend of Klug's and Chris Patterson's (I introduced Chris a few days ago also) and great photographer. He’s along to help with the film. Harris and I were on opposing teams and I started as the goalie for my team while he played the field for his. I made a couple great saves (I thought they were) then Jim went and scored on me. The kids pulled me from the net and stuck me on the field immediately. We must have played for 15 minutes. Jim and I ate dirt and sweated to death. Miraculously I scored on his team and my teammates yelled good shot cowboy which as one of the most hilarious things I have ever heard in Africa. The best part about it Chris filmed the entire game and a few seconds of it will likely make our film. We spent the sunset watching kids practice back flips off an old tire on the beach. It was absolutely incredible!

I’m afraid it’s time to meet the boys of Tourette. Rather than me save this a week I’m simply going to say we had a great night and then today on Zanzibar. We visited the fish market and spice market and then things got sketchy with some showdowns threats from military. I don’t mess around when the political heat cranks up so we went back to the Africa House and packed it up and headed for the ferry back to Dar es Salaam.

That’s it for now. In the morning we leave early for the African bush and hopefully some huge tigerfish. Expect full day to day stories in a week or so when I have internet access again.

Special Note - Because I am in the Confluence Film I will be very limited on taking my own pictures. A special thanks to Jim Klug, Jim Harris and Chris Patterson for providing most of what you see on the blog from this Africa trip.

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing web site