On the way to Paje we stopped at a reptile conservation center (see above) and learned about all of the endemic snakes and turtles and tortoises of Zanzibar and the threats they face.
In Paje, we stayed for three nights in a guest house right on the beach. The water was crystal clear and morning swims (and afternoon and evening) were a necessity. Unlike most tourist beaches, Paje's beaches were frequented by the locals - seaweed farming is a common occupation for Zanzibari women, as well as octopus hunting. Children also come to the beach, searching for seashells to bring back to their mothers for dinner.
Though dogs are not revered in Muslim culture, rather considered evil, our guest house was home to three puppies who were fed by the owner each day. We were all very excited to have some dogs in our life after just a week...I don't know what four months is going to do to us.
On the way home we visited a very cool butterfly conservation center. The center paid local farmers to harvest butterfly pupa, and the center then exported some to clients worldwide and kept the rest in their butterfly garden. Having the farmers convert from regular crops to butterfly harvesting is beneficial because the butterflies can only lay their eggs on endemic plants, which increases biodiversity and discourages monoculture. Really interesting place!
We move in to our homestays this afternoon, so it's time to rest up and prepare for that. Talk to you all soon!
Brooke and Becky
Yay dogs!! Looks like a great time so far :)
ReplyDeleteI might find it hard to be sympathetic to the plight those huge snakes!
ReplyDeleteI have heard that seashells there should be preserved so you should not collect or buy them.