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Goodbye Bi Kidude, legend of the Zanzibari music

admin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:09:55 +0000

Not everybody know abroad, but Zanzibar has its legendary personalities. Just yesterday, we lost one of the biggest icons of the local music.
We’re talking about Bi Kidude, the queen of taarab, a traditional music style of Zanzibar. Her age has been a mystery for long time – probably she was over 100 years, and still singing and performing with the energy and passion of a young girl.
People who had the chance of seeing her live on stage, maybe during festivals and music events, experienced for sure the great charisma of this tiny woman. This is the reason why not just people in Zanzibar, but people from the whole Tanzania, will keep of her the most lovely memory.

Stone Town in 10 steps

admin — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:18:36 +0000

A long walk around Stone Town, the historical center of the island on the western coast of Unguja, is an amazing exploration – to discover history, to see stunning glimpses, to shoot impressive pictures… This area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is rich in architectural landmarks, museums, but also markets and art & craft laboratories. Here you are an itinerary in 10 steps, to enjoy the trip as much as possible!

1. House of Wonders

The House of Wonders, located on the seafront, is probably the most well-known building in Zanzibar. Built in 1883 as the Sultan’s residence, it became the seat of the Afro-Shirazi Party after the revolution. It’s the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity and the first building in East Africa to have a lift. It actually hosts a museum about Swahili and Zanzibar culture.

2. Old Fort

Located just next to the House of Wonders, this is a heavy stone fortress built in the 17th century by the Omanis. The internal courtyard is now a cultural centre with shops, workshops, and a small arena for live dance and music shows.

3. Old Dispensary

Built from 1887 to 1894 to serve as a charity hospital for the poor, it is one of the most finely decorated buildings of Stone Town: large carved wooden balconies, stained-glass windows, and neo-classical stucco adornments. After falling into decay in the 1970s and 1980s, the building has been accurately restored.

4. Churches and Cathedrals

As first, the Anglican cathedral of Christ Church, located in a large area in centre Stone Town that previously hosted the biggest slave market of Zanzibar; the place was deliberately chosen to celebrate the end of slavery, so you’ll see a monument to the slaves, as well as a museum on the history of slavery just beside the church. Then the Roman Catholic cathedral of St. Joseph, whose facade is famous because two high spires.

5. Hamamni Persian Baths

A complex of public baths built at the end of the 19th century by Shirazi architects, that have been functional until 1920.

6. Darajani Market

The main bazaar of Zanzibar is one of the main visitors attraction of Stone Town. A colourful, chaotic maze of stalls selling everything from kangas to exotic fruits… It is located in the surroundings of the Anglican Cathedral.

7. Forodhani Gardens

A small park in the main seawalk, right in front of the Old Fort. Every evening after sunset the gardens host a popular, tourist-oriented market selling grilled seafood.

8. Palace Museum

Another former sultan’s palace, on the seafront, to the north of the House of Wonders. Built in late 19th century, actually hosts a museum about the daily life of the Zanzibari royal family, including items that belonged to the princess Sayyida Salme.

9. Livingstone’s House

David Livingstone’s House is a small palace that was originally built for the Sultan, and later used by European missionaries. Livingstone lived in the house while preparing his last expedition to the interior of Tanganyika.

10. Prison Island

A small island offshore Stone Town, formerly used as a prison for rebellious slaves but also as a coral mine. More recently the island has become a government-owned tourist resort and houses a collection of endangered Aldabra Giant Tortoises which were originally a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles.

Employer of the month 3

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:32:49 +0000

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Employer fo the month 2

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:32:18 +0000

Employer of the month 1

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:28:20 +0000

The not so easy to solve… the dreaded Nungwi road

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:38:52 +0000

Our first attempt to resolve this ended with us getting our fingers burnt and it has been a difficult project to revive ever since. There are enough hotels within the area to pay for the road between us but the problem is getting everyone, including the local government, to agree on a way forward. So I’m afraid this is another space to watch but we will endeavor to get it built for everyone’s benefit.

The Z hotel is also looking to expand and open its second hotel in Zanzibar, it is in the very early stages, but it is looking like we be opening a small 10-15 room boutique in Stone Town, we have looked at several amazing old buildings and we are presently just deciding which one and also searching for the energy to start another project. We will post regular updates on our website or facebook page.
So to wrap up, we just wanted to give a brief insight into what we and the Z Hotel is trying to achieve here in Nungwi to anyone who may be interested, as it is important that we are all aware of where we are doing business and indeed taking holidays.

If anybody would like to make any donations you can do this at reception or if you would like any further information regarding our ongoing projects in Nungwi, please feel free to email us on thezhotel@btinternet.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and we look forward to welcoming you to the Z Hotel in the future.

The future for the Z hotel and Nungwi…

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:37:16 +0000

At the moment our biggest objective, apart from making sure the Z Hotel is run to the best of its ability and always a great place to stay, is to try and improve the Nungwi Primary School. Whilst, the secondary school is now excellent, the primary school is far from acceptable: there are too many pupils per classroom and they are all sitting on the floor, many in potholes. There is no access to books and they only have classes for half the day as there are too many students for the classrooms. As well as the refurbishment, the school also needs to expand its classrooms by approx 25% which will mean building at least 6 more classrooms to make sure every child is at least sitting at a desk. We also want to sponsor 2 English speaking teachers to run the English classes, which is a must if a student wants to advance passed primary school or move into the tourism sector when they are older; the tourism sector is by far the largest employer in the Nungwi area and indeed on the island.

To achieve all this is no small order, we estimate it will cost between $80,000 and $100,000 USD to bring both schools up to an acceptable level. The Z Hotel will continue to sponsor and donate when possible and we are also planning a sponsored climb of Kilimanjaro and run a safari marathon in Arusha to help beef up the coffers…so please watch this space.

Keith Horan is also personally involved with the direct sponsoring of several orphans or children with severe financial issues which are hindering their educational development. This is achieved by paying for a child to go to private boarding schools in mainland Tanzania to give them a better springboard in life. To date this as been a great success with 2 students now at university, 1 in A level education, 2 in secondary school and one very bright 12 year old, ‘Willy’, informing anyone that will listen that he will be a doctor.. Or a footballer, but only for Chelsea.

Us and the community

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:35:01 +0000

From the beginning, it has always been our intention not to only open and run a successful hotel and business, but also to use it as an opportunity to try and make changes which could to help improve the lives of those living in Nungwi Village, especially the kids. We all appreciate that the problems facing the African continent are immense; however, we feel that by pinpointing specific, achievable projects in the local area, and being realistic, the Z Hotel can make a small but real and tangible difference to the lives of the local community.

To date, one of our biggest achievements is the extension and refurbishment of the Nungwi Secondary School. We worked in conjunction with the Minister for Education’s office to build 8 classrooms in 2 blocks, that each have desks for 30 students. Until these classrooms were open, pupils who wanted to advance to secondary school had to travel to other towns and even Stone Town, which is 90 minutes away by local transport. This left Nungwi with too many children not making it to secondary school and therefore unable to get decent jobs as young adults. We are pleased to say the new secondary school was opened by the Vice President of Tanzania in May 2011 and can accommodate up to 240 children, each studying at his/her own desk; something which we, from developed countries, take for granted but in Africa, this is not always the case. We realise that we cannot change the education system but we felt it was a basic right for a child to at least be able to sit at their own desk.

Another project we have initiated is a scheme to try to control the number of dogs and cats in the Nungwi area. If not managed carefully, this can be become a problem very easily and quickly. As it is not the norm for Muslims to keep pets, especially dogs, if their numbers become too great whilst roaming around free, locals will revert to their own methods to reduce them; this is what we try to avoid. So for the last 2 years we have paid for a vet to visit the area every 3 months or so spay dogs/cats which have not been done. To date we have neutered approx 60 dogs and 20 cats.

This has proven very successful with the dogs; with the cats it was always going to be a work in progress as they are a lot harder to catch! But we will continue to do our best. The Z Hotel’s cat “Kylie” has been spayed and is up to date with her injection so please don’t be afraid if you see her around the hotel.

We have recently managed to twin Nungwi school with Melling school in Liverpool. Melling school recently donated some 5000 books from their library to Nungwi school and also raised £1000 to build the shelves for the books. The books are presently enroute and we hoping for the new library to be open by June 2013.

Food “on-the-road”

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:31:09 +0000

For the most curious and open-minded gourmets on holidays in Zanzibar. Did you already have a walk around the streets, out of the hotel? If so, probably you already noticed some colorful local restaurants and stall selling “street food” along the roads and in the markets. And maybe you also wondered how does it taste!

We have good news for you. Some of the bites and snacks that you can find along your way, traveling around Zanzibar, are very nice and tasty. In most of cases, just a bit of attention is needed: avoid raw food and fish that doesn’t look fresh. About everything well cooked, you can dare.

So, why not to try… at least one time?

Urojo Soup

A tasty soup made with local spices, enriched with a choice of potatoes, kachori (spicy mashed potato balls), cassava, eggs, meat or even fresh salad – a real ‘Zanzibar mix’. Big feed, much fun!

Chipsi Mayai

One of the most simple and popular street-food combos in Tanzania. Fried chips, in an omelette. One portion, one lunch.

Mishkaki

Grilled meat on a skewer. This is one of the most favourite by local people! You can add chips, rice or ugali (cornmeal mush) aside… and boost the taste with a bottle of local beer.

Chapati

Traditionally Indian, chapati is a thin and round tortilla, good replacement of bread. A perfect take-away, to spread with your favourite ingredients.

Coconut to Drink

Young coconuts, still containing fresh and sweet water, are very easy to find and buy from sellers around the beach. They’ll cut off the top on the moment, and you’ll have a healthy and refreshing drink.

Sugar Cane Juice

Plain, or with some extra ginger. Here you are another amazing exotic drink that you can buy from sellers along the road. You’ll see how they extract the juice from the cane… then it will be all for your taste.

Finger Seafood

Where to find it? Typically at Forodhani, in Stone Town. You can choose among a wide choice of fresh fish just roasted on fire. It’s funny and tasty!

Vitumbua

Small fried cakes, made of coconut and rice. Crunchy outside, soft inside. Great aside a cup of Tanzanian tea.

Chai

Chai is the Swahili word meaning “tea”, one of the most common drinks in Tanzania. You can choose it with or without milk, plain or a bit spicy. It will be a reinvigorating moment, anyway.

Mandazi

Typical Tanzanian doughnuts. Sweet, soft… and of course, a bit caloric. Just an indulgence, at a very cheap price.

Mtori

A “different” breakfast, for very hungry people. Mtori is a soup made with bananas and meat… and even if you can’t believe, Tanzanian people love to eat this early morning. And if you want to dare, you’ll be the most welcome among the locals.

Wonders of nature. The Serengeti wildebeest migration

admin — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:06:18 +0000

The “short rains” season finally begun, in Tanzania and Zanzibar. Rain and sunshine are rotating day by day, so it is not always the perfect weather to enjoy the seaside. But something special is happening on the mainland in this period.

Let’s move to Serengeti! The great wildebeest migration, an amazing wonder of nature, happens every years around November and December.

Hundred-thousands animals living in the northern part of Tanzania use to move following the route of the rains, looking for food and new grasslands. They are mainly wildebeests, but also zebra, impalas and other species follow the same way.

Large groups move for many kilometers towards the south part of Serengeti and Ngorongoro, challenging the dangerous environment and the predators hunting food along the way. Watching thousands of wildebeests moving fast all together, as well as grouping again after a long journey, is an exciting experience that it is possible to see just in a few areas of the World.

A call to adventurers, photographers, and over… Despite the likelihood to have rainy days,
these weeks are quite a good option to plan an unforgettable safari. Have you ever though about it?