June 22nd, 2016 Best of South and East Africa

My favorite part of the trip was Serengeti, which was a must-visit destination.
Other than that, the journey was difficult, but necessary. Zanzibar was a nice vacation spot.
If I were to go to another park, it would be Etosha. But the landscape at Serengeti must be unmatched. Other than the cost and the rather crude conditions, it was an awesome experience.

Chobe was great. I saw the Milky Way. But it is no Serengeti. I must visit again to pet the lions.

June 22nd, 2015 Financials

My total expenditure was only $4955.08, making it the most expensive trip on which I have embarked.

May 21st, 2015 Out of Zurich, Switzerland

May 21st, 2015

6AM I arrived early in the morning and had an upset stomach and nausea. I bought a Starbucks coffee for 7.9 CHF or 8.3 USD for just a grande vanilla latte. Getting out of here!

7AM Even though food on the Swiss flight looked good, it couldn't have made me feel any worse. I had nausea for the entire day after the plane had landed.

May 20th, 2015 Out of Zanzibar, Tanzania

May 20th, 2015

6:30AM I woke and my driver was here at 7AM, about 30 minutes late. We drove for more than 1 hour to the dolphin tour. I borrowed some shorts, masks and fins for 5000 TZS. I couldn't touch a dolphin after 4 dives, and only saw one 30 feet away. I also paid 50 KES for the shower.

10AM We were back and I went ahead for the city tour. It was a young man. I went and paid a 3000 TZS entrance fee for the slavery chambers. We then toured the market until we ended at the fort.

Swim with Dolphins

1PM After the tour was finished, I walked to the left and saw someone offering tours to the prisoner's island. I negotiated a little bit for 15 USDs, without entrance fees. A guy said okay but then switched when we were in the middle of the ocean. He wanted 2000 TZS more and I okayed it. We toured the tortoise island, with a view at the prison, which really had nothing. We went back and got back at 3.

Lunch

3:30PM My driver was waiting for me. I toured the city for another 15 minutes and left for the airport.

Slave chambers

Fish market

Tortoise at Prison Island

Prisoner's island

Taxi driver

5PM I flew to Dar es Salaam. It was a small airplane and I arrived at the airport. However, I found that the international airport was about 3 kilometers away. I asked the captain who flew me and he found someone to drive me to the international terminals. I met this Korean military person who just got engaged. I noticed when I saw his military backpack. We talked about Iraq and private vigilantes hired for private companies.

10PM Swiss port flew me to Zurich.

May 19th, 2015 Zanzibar, Tanzania

May 19th, 2015

6AM I woke to realize I didn't have enough money to go to the airport.   I exchanged for another 475 KES and got to the airport.

9AM This airport is so empty. I think there are 6 people here.

12PM I arrived at Zanzibar. I spoke to some girls about where to go and joke around.

1PM I found Flamingo, a guesthouse. I shopped around for another one but their price was the best at 25,000 TZS. I then walked around looking for old town. I started talking to a student, who found me someone who claimed to be "a guide". He offered the spice tour for 10 USDs and 5 USDs for him. He walked me through to the fort but he knew nothing about the fort. So I abandoned him to go to the official tourism office at the fort. They offered me to go to the spice tour and the city tour for 40 USDs.  I agreed for 25 USDs for a private spice tour now.

3PM My driver took 30 minutes to drive to the spice farm. I saw mostly fruits, including star fruit, or Carambola, which was delicious, in addition to some spices like cinnamon. I tasted a lot of good fruits and paid them a tip. I then negotiated with the driver for 30 USDs to drive me 1 hour to the Rock restaurant.

5PM We finally got there and I had some squid and drinks for 30 USDs.

Squid at the Rock restaurant

7PM We drove back and I got back to Flamingo. I then went walking around until I reached the fort. I paid 12,000 TZS for some skewers of fish, octopus and squid, and lobster. This salesman came and talked to me about Muslim life and his failed attempt at an old white woman as a young 20 year old. I found it amusing.

10PM I called a few people about the dolphin trip and ended up choosing my old driver for $60 for the entire trip, including the city tour and driving to the airport. I went to sleep.

Street food at Zanzibar old town