Kendwa and Nungwi

After spending a night in Stonetown, we traveled one hour north to Kendwa and Nungwi. Both villages are known for their beaches and touristy atmosphere. In Nungwi, I befriended the owner of a small hotel and later returned to his accommodation at the end of our trip. The Nungwi hotel was an ideal getaway in paradise--hammocks overlooking the Indian Ocean, stretches of endless beach, a fire pit, and freshly prepared meals of our choice. We called this hotel a hidden treasure due to its friendly staff (who treated us like family) and its tranquility, set a part from busy downtown Nungwi.

Every day in paradise, I walked into the villages to buy fruit, eat cheaper local meals, and talk to residents. Like other resort destinations, the contrast between the wealthy and poor was stunningly apparent and disturbing. Many locals are jobless and spend their days sitting at shaded shops. Job opportunities are limited in Zanzibar due to poor education and limited foresight of future. Many Zanzibarians solely rely on agriculture for survival. They farm every day in their villages and do not travel to other areas of the island. Lack of travel means lack of exposure and experience. Lack of travel is obvious due to the fact that there are no cars on the Zanzibarian roads with the exception of taxis. Ultimately, extreme poverty exists everywhere on this island. Locals are struggling to survive, while tourists are enjoying the comforts of their hotel and Zanzibar's immaculate beaches.