Our Villa 88 Travel community has spoken and the first travel essay has arrived. What began as an invitation to share meaningful moments has already grown into a beautiful exchange of memories, perspectives, and places that linger in the heart.
Through this project, we aim to celebrate the journeys that shape us, the encounters that stay with us, and the joy that comes from seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.
Here is the first story in this series, a glimpse into a traveler’s world, captured in their own words. Let the journey begin.
ZANZIBAR, 10 YEARS LATER
by Sharifa Almaawali
It had been 10 years since I was last there, for my brother’s wedding. Then, summer 2022 came around, and I finally went back to Zanzibar. This time with my husband and kids. As luck would have it, the wider family all happened to be there at the same time. My mother, nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, in-laws… the whole tribe.
I decided to mark my return with a proper family reunion dinner. Planned the whole thing from Dubai. Sent out invites, arranged catering, and booked local entertainment, Tarab. A very traditional form of music in Zanzibar, rooted in Arab and Omani influence. It is all about emotion, that feeling of musical enchantment. I even picked the songs myself. The ones my late father used to sing at home. Songs I grew up on and still carry with me.
Travel day arrives and I am beyond excited. Proper nervouscited. We land early morning at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Nothing has changed. Same small airport, same feeling. Although I did spot a new terminal building coming up on the side. We head straight to my brother’s holiday home. Mum was waiting with breakfast, of course. I could barely eat. I just wanted to get out and soak it all in again.
Later that day, we head into Stone Town. I missed it so much. The markets, the tiny winding alleys, the energy. We arrived just before sunset and it was everything I remembered. Vendors everywhere, the buzz building, and then Forodhani comes alive. Street food, grills, sugarcane juice, Zanzibar pizza, all of it. The Makachu divers doing their thing off the seawall, flipping into the ocean for coins and cheers. It is chaotic, vibrant, and completely addictive.
The next day felt like a coronation. Reunion dinner day. And what a night it turned out to be. The music, the food, the setup, but most importantly, the family. Watching the older generation light up when the Tarab started playing was everything. It was nostalgic in the best way. Exactly how I imagined it, if not better.
The next morning, we packed up and headed to Paje. A completely different vibe. Laid-back, beachy, with that barefoot energy I love. We stayed at The Nest for four nights, tucked into nature, surrounded by greenery and the ocean. We stayed in a Deluxe Villa with an open-air bathroom, which felt both wild and wonderful.
We made a few unexpected friends there. Seth, the resident hound, quickly became part of the family. The kids were obsessed. And then, the real surprise, red colobus monkeys casually dropping by our bathroom like they owned the place. Fascinating creatures. Naturally, we had to visit Jozani Forest to see them properly. It is their home, and honestly, such a beautiful, lush escape.
We had a plan. One activity per day. Kept it simple. Next stop, Kuza Cave. A hidden little gem in Jambiani. Cold water, but we got in anyway. First time swimming in a cave. I hesitated for a second, but then Aisha, my eldest, jumped straight in. At that point it was no longer optional. Mother instinct kicked in and in I went. Aly and Ali stood there watching us like we had completely lost it. Fair.
One of my personal highlights was swimming with turtles. Having worked closely with them during my time at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project, this felt special. We went early to Baraka Natural Aquarium, or at least we tried to beat the crowd. It was already busy. Still, I got in. Cold water again, but worth it. Feeding them seaweed, watching them glide around. Pure joy.
Our last full day in Paje was slow and easy. Long walks on the beach, watching kitesurfers, dhow boats sailing by, locals and Maasai selling handmade pieces. Music, dancing, acrobatics on the beach. Just life happening all around us.
Leaving Paje was hard, but we had one last adventure. Nakupenda Sandbank. And wow. It did not disappoint. White sand, the clearest turquoise water, like looking into glass. Fish and starfish swimming right by. It felt surreal. We ate the freshest seafood right there on the sand, prepared by a local vendor who greeted us with “Karibu”. That moment stayed with me.
On the way back, we stopped at Prison Island. A place with a heavy past, but now home to giant tortoises and calm, clear waters. A mix of history and nature that makes you pause for a second.
Final day came too quickly. A bit of shopping, a final lunch at Lukmaan in Stone Town. Proper local food, simple, flavourful, no fuss. And somehow, that felt like the perfect ending.
Zanzibar gave me everything I remembered, and more. It was not just a holiday. It was a return, a reunion, and a reminder of why we travel in the first place.
