Jambo Zanzibar: The beach and the wildlife

Introduction: The Day I Missed the Train to Dar Es Salaam
Part 1: Zanzibar, Tanzania: Wandering Around the Historic Stone Town

The beach at Prison Island. No edits, no filter.

Walking around Stone Town, locals would often call out "Jambo!"

Jambo here. Jambo there.

Jokingly, we respond "Mambo!" You know, from the Mumbo Jambo. Little did we know we were giving the right answer.

Apparently, jambo is an informal Kiswahili word which means hello. Mambo also has the same meaning. Only, both are slang words and are not respectful enough. We were also taught that we can respond with poa, meaning cool.

After learning that, we cannot stop ourselves from saying jambo to everyone. The word has a nice ring to it. Jambo!

Day 2 of our trip was reserved for wildlife. We set forth early in the morning and joined a group bound for the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park located within the Jozani Forest. The goal is to go see the red colobus monkey, a rare specie that has been inhabiting the island in isolation.

It was a well organized tour. Upon reaching the national park we were introduced to our guide who briefed us and gave us initial instructions. We then set forth on our assigned trail in quest of this famed monkey with a red coat. Different groups were assigned to different trails to avoid crowding each other.

These sleeping monkeys just can't be bothered!

Ten minutes into the trail and we had our first glimpse of the monkey. It is beautiful. Probably, the most beautiful monkey specie that I have ever seen-not that I have seen that many. They've got kind faces especially when asleep and a thick, shiny coat.

The famed red colobus monkey with its unique red and black color.

A few meters away and we again saw a tribe of them- frisky young ones shouting and jumping from one branch to another. I am glad that this attempt at conservation is succeeding.

Everyone wanted a photo

There is also a mangrove conservation close by. My friend and I begged off and just wandered around the park, getting amazed at how tall the trees and how large the ferns are.

After lunch, we decided to go to Prison Island. Initially, this was not part of the plan . However, we were convinced by another guest in the lodge whom we were talking to over breakfast. He got us excited to see the tortoises. Boy, was it worth it.

I just had to stand beside it for reference!

Those giant Aldabra tortoises were ginormous! Big and OLD. By old, I mean ancient. The oldest is 157 years old or something like that. Just like their movements, they age slowly. Are they lucky to be blessed with such lifespan? Or cursed? To live that long and witness most creatures around you pass away, it does not seem encouraging. Not for humans anyway.

It was a delight watching number of tortoises, munching on greens (maybe the secret to their old age) and moving ever so slowly, grunting like pigs. Just like the monkeys at Jozani Forest, these creatures are also under conservation. I hope to see their tribe increase.

Before we headed back, we strolled for a while at the beach. I take pride in our Philippine beaches but I guess since Prison Island is privately owned, there are less crowds so it remained pristine. Standing on the white sand, staring at the sea, the seafoam waters looked so inviting but I refused to step into it for fear I would disturb the tranquility. I remember telling a friend that it looked "photoshopped." It really does.





Just like the tortoises that inhabit the island, I could live there forever. How I wish! As they say, all good things must come to an end. Before the setting of the sun, we found ourselves boarding the boat and heading back to Stone Town.