Saturday 9/10/22

We are treated to a Saturday excursion on Prison Island off the Zanzibar coast. “No prisoners were ever housed on the island and instead it became a quarantine station for yellow fever cases. The station was only occupied for around half of the year and the rest of the time it was a popular holiday destination.” Hmmm…

The starfish story comes to life as Joe brings me a live starfish, stiff in the sand, he tosses it back into the crystal blue-turquoise waters. It made a difference to that one, I think. The sea breezes are strong and persistent, mimicking the constancy of the waves as the tide comes in.

Tiny birds peek out from the ramparts of the prison courtyard walls. Their cheerful melody belies the painful history of this place. The chains in the bar attest to a different, distant past.

The enormous trees bark and call with the loud song of the peacock. Other peacocks in all their finery parade in a line as couples. The air is filled with the smell of fallen leaves and the fresh sea breeze.

This is also the home to an Aldabra giant tortoises sanctuary, which is, of course, dotted with tortoises, giant and small. The youngest is newborn and tiny, the oldest, enormous @60 years. They meet us at the door, blocking the path, and eagerly take the cabbage leaves we are given and offer.

Mikel climbs on the back of one with joy shining from his face. The bearer pays no mind as he enjoys his brunch. They slowly, though effectively, lumber among us like moving boulders while others bask in mud baths and snacks below the bridge. There is a nursery where tiny palm size little ones crawl among the watermelon bites in a center bin. Bigger babies are in a larger enclosure surrounding the small bin. They dine on cabbage leaves.

Joe asks Mikel, “Do you want to learn to swim?” Mikel answers with a vigorous “Yes!” And heads for the water. Joe calls him back.”First lesson,” he says and he lies down in the sand. He calls Mikel back from the waters edge insisting he lay down beside him where they make sand angels to practice a swimmer’s arm movements in the water. Returning to the turbulent water, Joe holds M’s body and has him practice the sand angel movements. They are soon distracted and throw rocks into the waves. Sitting together, they wish for a boogie board.