Diario

"Out of Africa":

Memoirs of Tanzania and Zanzibar

Talking about “magical places”, I would like to share with you one of the best experiences in my life. Well, some years ago, in 2006, one of my dreams came true: to visit Africa and, in this particular case, Tanzania. It seemed that it would never come and much less that it would finish. Lots of photos and infinite memories. Truly, it is impossible to forget Africa!

How to define my African experience? Surprisingly easy, really. It can be summarized in a single word, one that visitors will hear a dozen times daily, no matter where they travel in Tanzania, or how they go about it: the smiling, heartfelt Swahili greeting of “Karibu!” – Welcome!

Tanzania is known by its magic mountains, its vast extensions burned by the sun and splashed by the impressive baobabs (the trees of life), its volcanos that soar from the centre of the earth, its enormous prehistoric lakes surrounded by wild animals and, what is more important, its people full of mystery and ancient customs. The sights are spectacular and I say with sadness that I may not return so I would like to treasure this instant in some place where I could recall it and re-live it through these emotions …

Tanzania is where you’ll find Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Tarangire National Parks, Manyara Lake or Zanzibar – names that immediately conjure up the breathy tones of David Attenborough:

"I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills..."

Do you remember Meryl Streep pronouncing these words in the film Out of Africa? Although I am not Karen Blixen (as you know, the writer of the book, and the main character in the movie), nor do I have some lands in the continent (although part of my soul is there), I will try to tell you my experience, even though I am sure that any of these words or pictures will convey the feelings and mental images that I keep.

To see the sunrise on this very special land is a unique moment …

The aboriginal look of the people or the intense colours of their lands were sinking into my deepest heart and, without being conscious, I was getting lost in this thought: the desire of dreaming Africa that was living in the deepest of my being and the company of the simbas (simbameans "lion" in Swahili) made me feel that time had stopped.

In the loneliness and the silence I discovered a new country in my soul. I could see the life of the nomadic Maasai tribesmen in their manyaras (the typical huts), their women with their incredible adornments … this world that runs parallel to my own and that I ignore constantly … 

From the highest part of the old Ngorongoro volcano, it is possible to observe the whole crater, with its 22-km diameter. It is indeed a striking vision … in the centre there is a salty lake, the Magadi, which contributes to a spectacular beauty. A peaceful backwater that invites reflection and silence. During the day I saw the magnificent wildlife: zebras, giraffes, elephants, impalas, wildebeest, ostriches, monkeys, hyenas, big cats, crocs, buffalos, hippos, rhinos – as well as all sorts of apes and birds, like flamingos, and even a majestic lion. We were lucky to see a precious female leopard with her baby, resting on the branch of an acacia. I did not get tired of looking at it and the harmony of the image will never be captured by a photograph; it was amazing!  

Words cannot describe such grandeur; it has to be lived to experience these instants out of time. I have seen it often in documentaries, but on the spot it is impressive, the contemplation of the cycle of life.

Here finishes the first part of our adventures in this incredible country. But the journey doesn’t end here, what about the ultimate post-safari hangout, a magical place, the idyllic Spice Island? Yes, I am talking about Zanzibar. 

Zanzibar's capital (and the largest town) is Stone Town, located in the middle of the west coast of Unguja. The town was named after the coral stone buildings that were built there largely during the 19th century, and it is known for its narrow alleyways, large carved doors and covered balconies that are a part of the Swahili culture, influenced by both Arab and especially Indian motifs. 

One of the most important aspects of Zanzibar is that it has been a collage of different cultures since it was colonized by several civilizations for centuries, from Europe to Asia. The architectural styles reflect Arab, German, and British influence and occupation, as well as the rich long history of Tanzania, but also, sadly, it shows the remains of the East African slave trade. This famous city, Stone Town, is a home to lots of mosques, several Hindu temples and two Christian churches. Incredible, isn’t it?

Apart from that, The Zanzibar Islands have excellent locations for diving because living reefs surround many of the islands. In addition to the warm still waters, full of colorful fish, there are many challenging dives.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and maybe one day it will encourage you to visit these breathtaking places that I strongly recommend you.

Scotland revealed

Scotland, in the northernmost part of Great Britain, is one of the four countries that form the United Kingdom. Famous for its historic castles and epic battles, as well as beautiful lochs and stunning landscapes, a varied wildlife or stylish shopping, it is a land of legends, almost mythical for its incredible beauty.

The capital, Edinburgh, recognized as a World Heritage Site, is well known for its cobbled streets and the sandstone façades of its wonderful architecture in the Old Town, where you can imagine yourself  transported back in time, exploring the secret Closes along the world-famous, historic Royal Mile, or strolling along the “Water of Leith” walkaway, where you can dine while watching the impressive twilight. However, although Edinburgh is esentially a modern city today, you can still admire centuries-old ruins in the centre. 

The Royal Mile

By the way, if you are an archeology lover, you should travel to St. Andrews, the world's home of golf, to visit the picturesque ruins of its cathedral, overlooking the North Sea.

The ruins of St. Andrews' Cathedral

The Scottish Parliament

Tradition and modernity live together on both ends of the Royal Mile. On one end, at the top of the hill, you can find Edinburgh Castle dominating the city, where Royalty lived within its walls for centuries, waging countless battles; meanwhile, at the bottom you suddenly bump into the award-winning Scottish Parliament building, designed by the late Spanish architect Enric Miralles, who sadly died before the building was finished; its risky, controversial design, an original twig and leaf inspired by the flower paintings ofCharles Rennie Mackintosh’s unique architecture, underlines the sketch as a complex landscape scheme, a landmark building connected to the landscape, as opposed to other more classic venues, which has become one of the most important visitor attractions in Edinburgh nowadays.

The Scottish Highlands are completely different; I’m talking about its awesome scenery, which is synonymous for peace, relaxation and, of course, malt whisky! Alba (the Gaelic name for Scotland) is the place where nature puts its beauty into words. Home to the forest of Caledon (Roman for ‘wood on the hills’), we can discover impressive hill lochs, wonderful moorlands, high cliffs or great glens. It’s mind-blowing, literally! As Scotland has two different coasts, both on the Atlantic and the North Sea, it shows incredible diversity, a bit of everything, from wildlife to birdlife, not to mention the rich heritage or the warm welcome its Celtic descendants will give you. A visit there will open you up to a world you could have never imagined, a place that will seduce you!

Left to right: Glasgow Tower, Science Centre & IMAX cinema

The Transport Museum

But if you think that Scotland is just Edinburgh and the rest of the cities aren’t worth visiting, you are absolutely wrong! Don’t missGlasgow! Located on the River Clyde, and reborn as a center of style against the historical Victorian buildings after its industrial background, Glasgow is a cosmopolitan alternative to Scotland's countryside, with the latest urban renewal projects, which give the city its current modern image; actually, some of the most exciting projects in Scotland in recent years, bringing people to the Riverside, are the innovative Science Centre, promoting the importance of technology, and the breathtaking new Transport Museum. Designed by the famous Irani architect Zaha Hadid, it is one of the most challenging projects in Scotland lately, encapsulating the building in a ‘wave’, open at both ends, with two clear glass façades, which light the main exhibition space and its fantastic transport collection.

A must-see is the work of Scotland's best-known architect, the afore-mentioned Charles Rennie Mackintosh, especially the School of Art, one of the finest examples of the main representative of Art Nouveau in the United Kingdom. 

Nevertheless, the visit won’t be complete if you don’t explore the city's wide streets, scattered with welcome pit-stops around Merchant Square, or the GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art), which boasts famous art collections.

I hope you have enjoyed this post dedicated to Scotland, which maybe one day will encourage you to visit these incredible places I strongly recommend.