13. The Spice Island

Warm breeze from Indian Ocean white snapper crystal clear water.

Charming and ancient World Heritage site. Narrow maze like street mixing Arab, Indian, Europeans. Calls to prayer from 40 some mosques in town. Frozen two centuries Ago Like a movie set. Persian Portuguese and Omani and Swahili cultures. In hovels and grand mansion fruit and fish market. Former slave market for 300 years. Lunch at Dr Livingston I presume? Before he explores inner Africa. On the beach under the fig.

African. Arab. Indian. European,Omani behind elaborate carved doors.

Market meat and chickens

Dhows floating on the Indian Ocean. spicy cooking. Calls to prayer. Young western era reading novels alone under a fig tree or opening a hotel. Matilda attracts much attention with her sketching.

Dinner by the lapping sea at Eddie Mercury's spot. "We are the champions". Stiff breeze. Serenade. Lantern light. King fish and chapati.

Rough ride in 6 foot swells to swim with 50 dolphins

Dispatch#1 Arusha

Jambo from Arusha,Tanzania Olisiti Lodge. Maasai Daniel leads through coffee plantation. Shanga (amaze) River House Workshop for the physically disabled. Brain and heart child of white Tanzanian Saskia. Walk through teeming colorful market. Oh the fashion statements make Matilda drool. She buys kanga cloth wrapping in Maasai style.