USEFULL INFO |
| TRANSPORT: East African Safari Air and Kenya Airways both provide a connection from Europe direct to Zanzibar Intl Airport. KLM, British Airways and Swissair fly to Dar es Salaam from where your journey can continue easily via local airlines or by ferry. The local flight will take 20 min. to get to the island and costs Usd. 60. The ferry offer a variety of choices to suit different budjets and schedules. The boats range from the 9 hr. trip (The Slow Boat, Usd. 25) to the fastest at 90 min and Usd. 35-40. However you travel, arriving in Zanzibar, you will go through immigration and customs. You can have your visa on arrival as well. The entrance fee is Usd 20. Once in the island, your choice are either to rent a car or a motorbike or to use taxis. These range in price in relation to comfort and speed. The Dalla Dalla , the transport's system of local people consisting in a small truck with covered backs and benches, are the cheapest option. The most common choice of tourists are the minibus taxis. Alternatively we'll be happy to pick you up with our taxi, by prior agreement. The transport by taxi to Stone-Town takes about 20 min. and costs from 8 up to 10 Us dollars. |
| CURRENCY: The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. You will find many exchange bureaux and a number of banks in Stone-Town as well as accredited hotels throughout the island. Although most vendors well accept Us dollars and Euro, it should not be taken as a given. It is also a good idea to ask, when changing, for smaller denominations (5000, 1000 and 500 Ths.) to avoid the no change situations. Credit cards are accepted in some restaurants, shops and hotels, including our guest house. At this time 12. 2003, the currency convertion stood as follows: USD 1,00 / TSH. 1000. |
| SEASONS: Although predominantly hot all year round, with an everage temperature of 25C°, Zanzibar has 4 distinct seasons, 2 rainy and 2 sunny ones. The heavy rain season lasts over April and May while the short rains occur in November. |
| SWAHILI
CULTURE. Blown by the Monsoon different people and cultures met in this island, also famous in the past as one of the most important slaves trade centre. In Zanzibar the three main cultures are the arabic, the indian and the swahili one. The predominant religion is Muslim, as the island have been ruled by omanite sultans untill 1964. There remains an atmosphere of tollerance to all people and their respective faiths. It is important, as a matter of respect, to follow some guidelines: revealing clothing as bikinis, miniskirts, vest tops should not be worn in villages or in town. Topless sunbath is not considered appropiate, Public displays of affection such as kissing should be avoided in local surroundings. Ramadhan is celebrated over the 12th lunar month of every year. At its end comes Idi el Fitre , a huge party lasting up to four days, celebrating not only the end of Ramadhan but the new muslim year as well. Swahili time is another concept worth being aware of. In Zanibar the day begins at 6 am along with dawn, therefore 7 am correspond to 1:00 and 8 am to 2:00. This continues for 12 hours till 12:00 swahili time or 6:00 pm. Then it starts again from 1:00. If you get confused, just add or subtract 6 hours in order to convert swahili time in european time and viceversa. Some words and usefull phrases: hallo = jambo - goodbye = kwaheri - how are you = abari - I am fine and you? = huzuri, habari? - May I have a soda? = naomba soda? - thank you = asante - how much does it cost? = shilingi ngapi? - yes = ndiyo - no = hapana. |
| Paje by Night Hotel & Bungalows, Paje, Zanzibar south east coast, Tanzania. P.O. BOX 0000 Telephone 00255 (0)777 460710 info@pajebynight.net |
|
|