Zanzibar’s allure is legendary.
For centuries it has been a melting pot of influences where Africa, India and Arabia meet.
A place where life’s rhythms are set by the monsoon winds and the cycles of the moon.
In 2011 Tim and I spent a month in Kenya and Tanzania
We started our adventure in Nairobi and despite that cities reputation we had a wonderful few days.
And then the night train to Mombasa on the coast. Slowly this old creaking machine left over from another era made it’s way through the night arriving at dawn in the town where Tim was born and grew up, Mombasa.
It was hot there and the air was thick with humidity and exotic smells carried on the warm breeze.
We spent days exploring old Mombasa town buying African fabrics and eating great food.
Tim left Kenya in 1969 when he as 14 years old. Over the years I had heard so many stories from his childhood and most of them are about Mombasa. He immediately felt at home and didn’t take long before forgotten Swahili was being spoken. Walking through the food market in old Mombasa town inspired my painting, The Chili Sellers.
From Mombasa we flew to Zanzibar Island arriving late in the afternoon. There are some places that have an immediate and profound effect on you and for both of us this was the case with Zanzibar.
We spent hours lost in the maze of alleyways eventually finding our way back to where we were staying with the help of children who, for a few shillings would be our guide.
We had planned to explore the island but could not find any reason to leave Stone Town.
Warm evenings spent on the sea front eating fresh seafood cooked on hot coals and then a gin and tonic on one of the many rooftop restaurants that looked over this ancient jewel.
It was only a week we spent in Stone Town but the magical place had such an impact on both of us.
I created my paintings The Swahili Coast, The Turquoise Waters of Stone Town, Zanzibar Fish Sellers and my hand coloured lino print, Zanzibar Princess.
Our time on that magical island also inspired us to call our gallery in Ubud where we now live, Zanzibar Art House.
Zanzibar Island, we will return.
