You probably won't be surprised to learn that, after over two weeks of rising at or before dawn, we slept in until well past 9.00 a.m. After a delightful breakfast we then strolled out on the beach (), and then walked out in the direction of the reef. Lots of coral, sea urchins () and star fish ().

Later in the morning we were booked into a Spice Tour. Dating back to the Sixteenth Century, growing and exporting spices such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper has been an integral part of Zanzibari life.

There are a number of tours available here which will give you much in-depth information about this trade, and the use of spices not just in food, but also as medical treatments and clothes dyeing.

The guided walk () takes you through local villages as well as spice plantations, and there is also the opportunity to purchase any spices that take your fancy ().

     

On our return we noticed that the local fisherman had just arrived, by bicycle, with a basket containing that day's evening meal. It's only at that point that anybody, including the hotel's owners, know what will be on that night's menu. But it's sure guaranteed to be fresh!

In the afternoon we relaxed by the pool and went into the sea (the tide being in). We then went for a walk along the beach to the next hotel - The Breezes - a very much larger place to stay, especially in comparison to the intimacy of Echo Beach, but it looked very nice nonetheless ().

On the way back we came across a somewhat ramshackle hut set back slightly from the edge of the beach, selling local art and so on (), all adding to the relaxed ambiance encountered here.

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