Tips 1 - 2 of 2 Zanzibar Town Warnings Or Dangers
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Warnings Or Dangers: THE NIGHT FERRY TO PEMBA
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A friend I met in Stone Town took the overnight ferry to Pemba in first class. Several 'gentlemen' sat next to him and ignored other empty seats. When he asked to see their first class tickets, they just laughed. And when he fell asleep they tried to steal his bags. Luckily they were prevented by other tourists. Apparently this happens often. Watch your bags!
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 Visiting Zanzibar Town? Read reviews about Zanzibar Town Hotels Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
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Warnings Or Dangers: THE BEACH BOYS
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Street Touts are often called ‘Beach Boys’ even when they are 40-50 years old. The local name for them is ‘Papasi’ the Swahili word for ticks. So what do they want? Most are friendly, definitely persistent and can be downright helpful sometimes. They will approach you just about anywhere. If you truly do not want any service of any kind, then be prepared. Here is what services they provide:
• Tour of Stone Town
• Other tours (Jozani Forrest, Spice Tour, Prison Island, etc.)
• Souvenir shops/crafts
• Taxi
• Hotel
• Help with bags
• Directions to a specific place (they walk you there)
Be polite. If you tell them ‘I already have’ and list several of the items above, they start to realise that you know how things work. I ‘hired’ one, or he hired me and I paid $7 for a 2 hour tour of Stone Town. I was shown everything and had a fascinating explanation of local life. They work on a commission. So if you go to ‘my brother’s shop’ and you buy something they get paid a small amount by the shop owner later. Always keep some small coins on hand. If you get lost or really need help you be able to give them a small reward for their assistance.
If you are here for a short period of time or just off a cruise ship, seize them up first. Persistent, but polite is ok
On the other hand.
I did have an older one who kept talking to me in a bar. I am pretty sure he had a substance and/or mental health issue. The next day he saw me and was convinced that I had agreed to pay him for a tour of Stone Town. I had done this with another Beach Boy 2 days before. I even tried to hide in a shop who told me the obvious problem with our little friend. I ended up having to have a security guard running him away. Other than that episode I had good relations with these guys and they would always shout ‘Jambo’ at me when I was out and about.
Please note: This tip is also on the ‘Cultural Tips’ as I found most of these guys were OK
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Join a Discussion Zanzibar?
(2 replies, Friday, Jun 6, 2008, 10:41 PM UTC) atm
(2 replies, Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006, 11:30 AM UTC) Backpacker accommodation
(3 replies, Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006, 1:59 PM UTC) » All Zanzibar Town Posts
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 Comments for DAO about Zanzibar Town | | | | |
PierreZA Fri May 8, 2009 05:23 UTC
What a great page! Will be going in June, thanks for very good info! | lynnehamman Wed Apr 8, 2009 00:55 UTC
Asante Dao- we are stopping off in Zanzibar & Kenya on our visit to see family in Cape Town in March 2010- your pages are a wealth of information. Love the Masai pictures- they sure are colourful people! | glo39 Sun Mar 22, 2009 16:45 UTC
Oooo I want my picture taken w/the Masai too please. Gail aka Gail-the-VA | junecorlett Tue Feb 3, 2009 18:58 UTC
I want to go to Zanzibar!!!!!! |
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on Mar 21, 2007
