Swahili readings / Beginner 2 / Travel Experiences

Trip to Zanzibar

Safari kwenda Zanzibar

Nilisafiri kwenda Zanzibar wikendi iliyopita. Nilitoka Dar es Salaam kwa boti ya abiria asubuhi mapema, na safari ilichukua karibu saa mbili. Bahari ilikuwa ya buluu na tuliona mawimbi madogo yakicheza. Nilipofika, hewa ilikuwa ya joto lakini upepo mwanana ulipunguza jasho. Nilikaa karibu na Mji Mkongwe, sehemu maarufu yenye barabara nyembamba na majengo ya mawe. Siku ya kwanza nilitembea kuelekea Forodhani na kuona mashua za mbao. Nilitembelea Ngome Kongwe na kuingia kwenye makumbusho ya soko la watumwa, nikajifunza historia ya kisiwa. Baadaye nilionja chakula kitamu: pilau, samaki wa kuchemsha na nazi, pamoja na juisi ya ukwaju. Watu walizungumza kwa adabu na walinisaidia kupata mwelekeo, hata nilijifunza maneno machache ya Kizanzibari. Siku ya pili nilienda ufukweni Nungwi. Mchanga ulikuwa mweupe sana, na maji yalikuwa wazi kama kioo. Tulipanda dau jioni, na tulitazama jua likizama polepole. Nilinunua vikapu vidogo na viungo kama mdalasini na karafuu. Kabla ya kurudi, nilipanga ratiba yangu, nikahakikisha nauli, maji ya kunywa, na kadi ya simu. Zanzibar ni mahali pazuri kwa msafiri wa bajeti, na nitarejea tena nina nafasi. Nilipiga picha nyingi za majengo na pwani tulivu kwa kumbukumbu.

English Translation

I traveled to Zanzibar last weekend. I left Dar es Salaam by passenger boat early in the morning, and the trip took about two hours. The ocean was blue and we saw small waves playing. When I arrived, the air was hot but a gentle wind reduced the sweat. I stayed near Stone Town, a famous area with narrow streets and stone buildings. On the first day I walked toward Forodhani and saw wooden boats. I visited the Old Fort and entered the museum of the slave market, and I learned the history of the island. Later I tasted delicious food: pilau, fish boiled with coconut, together with tamarind juice. People spoke politely and helped me find the direction, and I even learned a few Zanzibar words. On the second day I went to the beach in Nungwi. The sand was very white, and the water was as clear as glass. We boarded a dhow in the evening, and we watched the sun set slowly. I bought small baskets and spices like cinnamon and cloves. Before returning, I planned my schedule, confirmed the fare, drinking water, and a phone card. Zanzibar is a nice place for a budget traveler, and I will return again when I have a chance. I took many photos of buildings and the calm beach for memories.