Steppes In Africa; A Disney-inspired Safari-A is for: Adventuring Among the Fish (11/22)

[pkondz]

WHOA! I had no idea!!! Holy cow!

I was surprised too! I knew it could last a while, but... up to 40+ years?!?!?

I figured. I remember living in Thailand where natural materials make up a fair amount of the construction and we heard giant lizard wars (with literally screaming) every night. It was terrifying.

Yikes.
But the main vermin mentioned was... rats.

Fiji is still a bit higher on my list, but I'd definitely go to Hawaii given the chance.

Not sure if they do leis there?

For sure. And not in an altogether great way.

I guess not.

LOL!! Interesting you should mention that.... I have an entire chapter, or a lot of one on that exact subject, coming up at the end of this TR.

I think any opportunity for business is taken seriously there. Especially when it's not during high season.

Very good point. In a high poverty area, you'll jump at the chance to make a bit of coin.

OH, trust me. It was sooooo rich and spicy and flavorful.

Soooo close.

Darn!

Exactly! I want local and authentic.

 

[missjackiemcg]

Ever the intrepid traveler!! I love how brave you are! I won't even walk to the park down the street at night, and here you are traveling around and following (friendly) stranger/servers to closed dinner locations! Seriously though, look at that incredible meal you were rewarded with for your bravery! I am always so impressed.

This day sounds like it was a lovely reset before you hit the ground for more adventuring. I'm exciting to hear about what other kinds of animals are coming up next!

 

[Steppesister]

A is for: Adventuring Among the Fish
May 15, 2025​

After a wonderful day of luxurious rest, it was time to find some more adventurous activities to enjoy. I’d heard that the snorkeling is world-renowned and I wouldn’t have passed it up for anything! As you’ve probably noticed the water is about the clearest on the planet and the most sparkling blue you’ve ever seen.

(Sunrise and coffee!)​

After hours and hours of research, I found not one but two companies that run snorkel and dive tours; finding the right balance of good reviews, a reasonable price, and a good itinerary can be tough at times.

Scuba Blue Diving seemed to fit the bill and off I set to the little business location not too far away and got checked in. It was very early as tours and boat rides are dictated by the tide times. Getting up at 6:30 was a small price to pay for getting some time in nature. As with any company that takes you out, legal releases and agreements are signed. That didn’t take too long but while I was waiting for the truck to have the final equipment loaded, I made a new friend who was hanging out above me. To be sure, it was hugest Golden Orb Weaver I’ve ever seen- easily as big my hand. Honestly, the colors on her were splendid and brilliant.

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Soon enough, the things were all loaded and the driver and I were off. On the way, we passed through small village and roadside stands selling colorful fruits and vegetables and he stopped at one to purchase my breakfast.

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The beach where we’d launch from came into view, and was obviously one where hordes of tourists use to set out from. There were countless stalls selling over-priced knick-knacks, street foods, and clothes. My suitcase was already stuffed to bulging so didn’t purchase any. Instead, the guides who arrived 10 minutes after us and took the cooler and life vests out of the back of the truck, led me to one of the many small boats bobbing on the gentle water.

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I climbed in and one of the 2 guides led the boat out to where it was deep enough to use the small engine. After 15 or so minutes they anchored off and I spent about 45 minutes paddling around seeing some of the most dazzling fish I’ve ever encountered. It was spectacular in the shallow reef waters and I saw dozens of varieties of tropical fish. Underwater photos are hard to get. And apparently, I didn’t bother to take any on this day’s adventure. So, instead I’m going to split up the photos from the next day’s adventure and put some here in this chapter as it was nearly identical in terms of fish.

(Powder Blue Tang)


(Moorfish Idols)


(Black-spotted Rubberlip)


(Teardrop Clams- they were enormous!)


(Red-hind Grouper)

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But fish weren’t all that was below the surface! While I didn’t get any photos I did see some other super cool creatures. Probably the most amazing find was the Banded Sea Krait. Yes, they are deadly. No, I wasn’t scared. 1) They are not aggressive unless provoked, 2) Their teeth/fangs are very tiny and they don’t pierce human skin well and have to actually kind of “grind” to do damage, and 3) I didn’t linger too terribly long.

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I also saw briefly a Stonefish and a Scorpion fish, also both deadly, but again, kind of boring as they just mostly sit around on the bottom.

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What did get me though was an invisible jelly. It was not a deadly variety, like those I snorkeled amongst in Australia, but my hand did sting a bit for an hour or so afterwards.

Did I mention I bought my own new snorkel gear for this trip? Sadly, I've struggled with EVERY mask I've ever used with that spot. They either leak or bruise me.

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Once I got out, a huge platter of fresh cut fruit was laid out on top of the cooler and I enjoyed some of it. But not bananas. Bananas are disgusting. Full stop.

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Some local fishermen were fishing the shallow waters for barracuda, kingfish, and snapper.

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The next part of the tour sadly, was just not fun. I guess either I hadn’t understood what the tour entailed or it wasn’t really advertised in a way that accurately gave me what happened. Apparently, there is a large sandbar just off of Mnemba Island, which is actually owned by a Bill Gates’ research entity and forbidden to go to, that is a huge tourist attraction. The guides headed that way, which was deceptively far away. The tide was VERY low and it took a long time for one of the guides to actually hand-tow our boat there (most of way, anyway). The bottom was littered with thousands of sea urchin (no exaggeration) and he had to gingerly navigate along the way. Stepping on one would be no joke.

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We arrived at this sandbar where a fairly large crowd was walking around, but I also saw that there were a few Instagrammers doing what they do there as well. One lady in particular was absolutely disgusting. I mean, I honestly believe she and her male partner were filming chapter one of their upcoming p0rn movie. It was super gross with her no-shame posing and their totally excessive PDA. Like, folks, if you’re in a place where the culture expects a level of modesty, RESPECT THAT! Heck, I’m not really an over-the-top prude, but I wish there’d be a bit more in most places here too. Anyway, it was just super icky and after about 5 minutes I was more than ready to be headed back to shore. Had I known that this was going to be part of the tour, I’d have asked if we could just spend a bit more time out on the reef and I’d have taken another 20-minute paddle around with my tube.

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The driver picked me back up and took me back to the Zanzibar Queen and dropped me off. With that, it was time for some more time laying by the pool. I’d had enough being in the water, so just enjoyed the nice area and relaxed. It was about 1:00 and time for lunch. A server was nearby so I ordered a Mule and a plate of samosas for a light meal. These were hands-down the best samosas I’ve ever had. They were full of delicious veggies, not just pea and potato like Indian samosa, and were nice and light. The sweet-chili dipping sauce was perfect with them! I may or may or may not have fallen asleep and dreamt of perfect samosas.

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Around 5:30 I decided to get dressed and head down the beach to find a place for dinner. I had hoped to run across another local spot where I could get a catch of the day, but low-season means fewer options. About 15 minutes away from my own resort, though, I did find a place that was open and seemed to cater to tourists. Not exactly what I was looking for, but it fit the bill. It was built up onto a craggy outcropping and I had to follow a bit of an uneven pathway to find the entrance. It definitely had a beautiful setting and the sunset would be lovely from the open-air eating area up the stairs.

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(Remember its name)

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While the waves gently broke on the white sand and the boats bobbed on the water below me, a server took my order and brought some bread. I chose a “drink of the day”, which was tasty, and an appetizer. Had I known it alone could have fed 3 people, I’d have foregone this. But it was very interesting! When in Rome…. right? I’d heard of, let alone had, a seafood pizza. This large masterpiece has scallops, crab, and shrimp atop an unknown, but tasty, sauce and cheese. I ate a couple of pieces while I sipped at my cocktail and listened to the somewhat noisy conversation of the group of Russians at the table to my side. To my right was a couple who were just finishing up and looked as though they might be staying at the resort that this restaurant was part of.

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Soon, my main dish came out. I really needn’t have ordered it, but how could I pass up fresh fish caught that day? I’d never heard of “Trevally” fish before, but that’s what I was told this was. It was out of this world! A simple recipe, but it didn’t need to be fancy, the fish spoke for itself.

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I was on my way to down the beach around 8:00 stopping for pedestrians along the way.

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I also took a few minutes to see if any night sky photos would turn out. Sadly, there was quite a bit of light pollution so they weren’t quite as good as I’d hoped. But the walk back was so nice. It was a warm, tropical evening with clear skies and gentle seas taking me back to rest. I’d only have 2 days left on this amazing trip; it was hard to believe it was all coming to and end.

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[pkondz]

I’d heard that the snorkeling is world-renowned

I did not know that!

It was very early as tours and boat rides are dictated by the tide times.

Makes sense. I've never really given that much thought, but... duh!

Did you walk into her parlour? The prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy

On the way, we passed through small village and roadside stands selling colorful fruits and vegetables and he stopped at one to purchase my breakfast.

How cool is that.

There were countless stalls selling over-priced knick-knacks, street foods, and clothes.

Some things are just universal, I suppose.

(Powder Blue Tang)

Dang. Nice Tang.

(Moorfish Idols)

My favourite fish.

(Teardrop Clams- they were enormous!)

Cool!

Probably the most amazing find was the Banded Sea Krait.

That's really cool. Although I don't want to get bit by one.

Yes, they are deadly. No, I wasn’t scared. 1) They are not aggressive unless provoked, 2) Their teeth/fangs are very tiny and they don’t pierce human skin well and have to actually kind of “grind” to do damage

Um... they don't have to "grind"... they're highly venomous. One of the most venomous snakes in the world, actually. (10 times more toxic than a cobra, for instance.)
But... they rarely bite people. When they do it's often because they've accidentally been caught in fishing nets.

I also saw briefly a Stonefish and a Scorpion fish

Also venomous and also totally cool.

What did get me though was an invisible jelly. It was not a deadly variety, like those I snorkeled amongst in Australia, but my hand did sting a bit for an hour or so afterwards.

Ouch.

But not bananas. Bananas are disgusting. Full stop.

Yes, she had no bananas... she had no bananas, that day.

Apparently, there is a large sandbar just off of Mnemba Island, which is actually owned by a Bill Gates’ research entity and forbidden to go to, that is a huge tourist attraction.

I had to read that a few times... I was thinking "You can't go to it, but it's a huge tourist attraction... why?"
Then realized you meant the sandbar.

The tide was VERY low and it took a long time for one of the guides to actually hand-tow our boat there (most of way, anyway). The bottom was littered with thousands of sea urchin (no exaggeration) and he had to gingerly navigate along the way. Stepping on one would be no joke.

I also saw that there were a few Instagrammers doing what they do there as well.

Strike a pose. Vogue.

I mean, I honestly believe she and her male partner were filming chapter one of their upcoming p0rn movie.

Hopefully there weren't any kids there. Sheesh.

Cool shot.

it was time for some more time laying by the pool.

Vacationing at its finest.

a plate of samosas for a light meal.

mmmm... samosas...

These were hands-down the best samosas I’ve ever had.

Really!
Now I want some...

I may or may or may not have fallen asleep and dreamt of perfect samosas.

Like this shot.

Don't know if I'll remember Matemwe Rock Local (or maybe without the "Local") but I do like the "Now we are open" part... I sure hope on the flip side it says "And now we're not"

This large masterpiece has scallops, crab, and shrimp atop an unknown, but tasty, sauce and cheese.

Looks (and sounds) really good!

I’d never heard of “Trevally” fish before

I have.

I was on my way to down the beach around 8:00 stopping for pedestrians along the way.
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I hope there was a traffic light for it.

Maybe light pollution, but it's a really interesting contrast!