Misali Island

For a weekend getaway (yes, we do need a weekend getaway now and then even when we live on a tropical island) we took a boat out to an uninhabited island about an hour west of our town.

It's called Misali, taken from the word for prayer mat, because it kind of looks like a Islamic prayer mat and faces north towards Mecca. The island also has a couple very cool caves that some Pembans believe are inhabited by spirits. Those wise in the ways of spirits and healing sometimes come to the island to give offerings and prayer to the spirits for help--for their health, their fishing trips, whatever.

The island has great beaches (which are surprisingly rare on Pemba but plentiful on Unguja). Note: All but the last two pictures came from google searches.



and is surrounded by a wonderful coral reef. Just feet out in the water is a huge coral drop off (think Finding Nemo, "They're going to the drop off!?!?"). Justin and I took turns snorkeling on the drop off; it was absolutely amazing, if not also a little freaky, wondering what large sea creatures might be swimming our way in the blue gloom.

We did not see any thing big, but we did sea hundreds of fish



including angel fish



parrot fish



trumpet fish



and clown fish.



Justin even saw a couple lion fish.



I was lucky enough to spot a giant moray eel. I could only see its head, but judging by that, it must've been over five feet long. I've only ever seen those after fishermen catch them, and have them on the ground for sale.



There were also lots of great corals and giant clams.



Juma had fun playing around on the beach, catching crabs of various sizes. Here's a tiny one, the same color as the beautiful white sand.



The only downside of the trip was the failure-of-the-sunblock.