Tanzania - My love at first sight

After having lived in the city of Karachi, Pakistan for the whole of my life, I could think of no other place that I could call home, until I got married and stepped into the lands of Tanzania. Tanzania, at first sounded like one of the poverty driven countries in the African continent, that I did not even know existed on the world map, (please excuse my lack of geographical knowledge) before I got to know my husband.

However, having travelled to this beautiful place, all my preconceived notions came tumbling down, as I was completely wow-ed by the natural beauty, and the great food of this amazing place; truly it was love at first sight!

While talking about the things I love about Tanzania, here is a little list of the things that made me instantly realize why I love to call this beautiful country my home now.

1   1) The delicious food – Of course, while you are travelling to a new country, how can you miss out the food and the unique flavours that speak of the country’s culture. The same goes for Tanzania. When I newly stepped into the lands of Tanzania, my husband made sure I had a taste of the wonderful local food, and so he took me to the famous Oyster Bay, in the city of Dar es Salaam, to have Mishkaki (small pieces barbequed meat) and baked Cassava with Cassava chips, along with the spicy, yet refreshing Kachumbari. Although, while living in Karachi, I had a huge share of spicy food, and I absolutely loved it, but when I had a taste of these delightful locally made snacks, I was certainly left craving for more. 

That’s baked Cassava with Cassava chips and some Swahil style spicy Kachumbari – Pure delight! PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI

And that’s some freshly grilled Mishkaki in a bowl of flavoursome Chutni that you dip your Mishkaki pieces in before stuffing them in your mouth. PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI

 2)      The wildlife! – Whenever Africa’s name is mentioned, one of the first things that clicks into one’s minds has to be the amazing wildlife, and I was no exception. Never having travelled to the continent of Africa before, or never having gone for wildlife safaris, the most closely I had seen animals were in zoos or man-made artificial environments, and that is why the idea of going for a wildlife safari sounded really exciting to me. So, my husband planned our honeymoon to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.

Our wildlife safari, then certainly become the highlight of my Tanzanian experience. Witnessing the animals in their natural habitats, and observing them in the wild, in all, added up to be a great honeymoon trip for my husband and me.

If that was still not being lucky enough, we were certainly carrying a whole lot of lucky charms with us to witness a lion attack! Yes, we could not sit back in our Land Cruisers for a bit, as a pride of lions attempted to attack a bunch of buffaloes and zebras. Although, the attack remained unsuccessful, we still managed to capture some great pictures and witnessed it through our eyes what the life in the wild is likely to be like! 

The beautiful Ngorongoro crater, from the top. PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI 

The Ngorongoro Crater –  A haven to all kinds of wildlife! PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI

Entering Serengeti National Park, for more wildlife adventure! PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI

This young lioness looked quite bored at first, but she was actually up to something that kept us and a bunch of other spectators hooked for quite some time! PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI

A little ahead, a whole pride was sitting. Something fishy for sure! PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI

Yes, this hungry pride of lions was on a lookout for some fresh meat! PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI 

But sadly, the afternoon lunch ran away after a little tussle with the lions! PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI 

 3)      The beaches of Zanzibar! One of the first few places to pop up on the search engine while I was back in Pakistan, trying to learn more about Tanzania, were the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar. And, soon we made a trip to this beautiful island to take a dip in the clear turquoise blue waters of the Zanzibar beaches.

Although, being a non-swimmer came up to be a great disadvantage for me, but snorkelling in the waters of Zanzibar and getting to see the colourful fishes of all kinds, and then going for a dolphin safari ride was certainly one of the many reasons why I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the trip. 

A lone boat makes its way across the waters of a Zanzibar beach.  I love how this picture has a melancholic tone to it. PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI

Sunset at a beach of Zanzibar – Utterly breathtaking! PHOTO: ADNAN NANABHAI

Truly, Tanzania became my love at first sight. The serene natural beauty, loving people and the tantalizing local food are just few of the many things that I have started to love about this wonderful place. However, being a girl, the only thing that I wish for is that there were a few more beauty parlours and bigger malls to satisfy my beauty and shopping needs!