Some things need no pictures #2

As they said the old television program Dragnet;   "Just the facts Mam" 

These are the facts and I draw no conclusion.

A group of 10 of us went to Zanzibar which is a large island off the coast of Tanzania.  A popular tourist attraction.  Lots of shops, nice beaches and history.  It was a big launching point for collecting slaves prior to transport overseas.   I will tell more in another entry.

After stepping off the ferry, we had to go through immigration.  Why?  I am not sure.  Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and  so it is confusing as to why this might be necessary since we had already passed immigration two weeks prior.  

I filled out the form and waited 30 minutes in the hot sun and was then approved and ready to go. Others got processed over the next 30 minutes.  Then suddenly they asked for all 10 of our passports. Then they held them for 3 hours while we waited in the very hot dry conditions outdoors.  During that time, in this order:

• They said we had the wrong visa and each must pay $200
• We said no.
• an hour later they said that really we needed to pay $500 per each for a special visa
• We said no.
• A half hour later they said that only 1/2 of the people had to pay because the others had received their visa from the embassy. 
• 20 minutes later they said No,  All had to pay, but only $200
• Meanwhile we contacted our Hosts and they got a hold of very high level Immigration officials in Tanzania, who then provided direction to release us and for us to report to immigration on Monday.  They noted this in the passports.  

We lost three hours of our 36 hour vacation. 

That the facts Mam,  you can't make em up like that.