Then we arrived at Samaki, which is owned by "il presidente" Domenico Palumbo, a delightful Italian gentleman, and had our first meal. Several kinds of fresh fish every day, at least four kinds of salads, several pastas, bruschetta with some kind of sauce we never figured out but which was amazing, rice and potatoes and fresh roasted vegetables and desserts. We kept looking at each other across our table saying "is this heaven?"
And, per usual, Domenico took an immediate liking to Pat and insisted that we eat lunch every day and also be his guests at a special dinner he was having Wednesday night. He was putting a dinner on as a benefit for the day hospital he is building there in Zanzibar. I'm already planning our yearly visit staying at the Samaki and having Pat earn our keep.
We were the only non-Italians at the lodge. The night of the dinner, Domenico introduced Pat on the microphone as we walked in - "and welcome to my friend Doctor Patrick from America". He is the most gracious, welcoming person you would every hope to meet. When the young men come in each day with their catch, he has them walk through the dining room to show the guests the fish - ocean perch, red snapper, sea bass. We had beautiful sunny days and walked on the whitest fine sand beaches I've ever seen.
And of course got our appetites back as well as several of the lost pounds. The staff at the Samaki were so thoughtful and accommodating ... Pat mentioned that he liked the African music that was playing, and a young man said "I'll make you a CD!". Just one example of the way everyone seemed to go out of their way to make you feel at home.
Tanzania and Zanzibar are both on our "have to go back" list!
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