#SHE'S TOUCHING DOWN IN THE MOTHERLAND - ZANZIBAR

What do you imagine when you hear "Zanzibar"?
1. A place you've never heard of before?
2. A place that sounds like it is almost in the middle of nowhere?
3. A place full of culture and food?
4. A place where your donation, whether monetary or voluntarily, goes a long way?

Most people tell me that they have never heard of it.  Others just simply ask "where is that?".  Once I say it is an island that is in east Africa,

an island that is part of Tanzania,

their eyes pop open wide! Believe it or not, not many people know that Africa has places that have white sandy beaches with clear blue water, giving that Caribbean Island feel (for us who live in the West).  I also decided that I wanted to somehow, start making my feet touch the motherland, at least 1x a year, with the first visit being one where the accommodations would include a relaxed vacation feel.  With those ideas in mind, I began to contact 10 friends and began requesting quotes, through my agency.  Let's just say planning for a group of 10, is tough! We are now a group of 4.

To prep for the trip, I did some research as far as the history of the island, the culture, as well as, if further documents are needed.  Once I was able to clear that, I felt like "Ok, I got this!".  I was wrong.  I later learned, travel vaccine shots were required.  Since this seemed to pop up more during my research, I began to speak with other travelers and Africans, including my doctor who is Nigerian.  THE LIST KEPT GETTING LONGER! I also discovered while reading, that some of these shots, I was SUPPOSED to have had, before I went to Southeast Asia. BUT GOD!

  He laid a hand on myself and my friend, and we were super fortunate to not have gotten ill.  I have also learned, these shots have been requested for parts of Europe as well, due to Hepatitis outbreaks.

With the discovery of more travel vaccines, I found that some are not covered by health insurance.  GREAT! With that discovery, I had to start calling certain places about the cost for the vaccines, if they have it, and learned that each place has a "consultation" fee. BLAH!  I lucked out where I found a decently priced travel clinic, still costly, however, they were less than most places and, the consultation fee included Malaria pills, IF your insurance was one that they accepted. SCORE!  Some of the vaccines ranged in price from $120-$220 per shot, consultation fees ranging from $50-$75.  BUT GOD!

 I made sure I did more research, because the cost was going to just increase my debt.

I reached out to my medical insurance department, to find out if it was covered, because the admin for the Benefits department at my current job, stated that if the doctor who is issuing the shot, is part of our network, the shot will be covered, as hers were for when she went to Ghana last year!  Ok so bet, I found out I needed the billing code for said shot.  I got that code from the hospital

that I was going to since they had the vaccines in stock, called my insurance back with that code, they did a search, and BAM, my shot was covered! Because one vaccine was covered, it also meant that my other ones were as well.  I just saved myself $400! WHEW!  Just know I spent 2-3 days calling around for quotes and finding out if my insurance was accepted, to minimize my spending. EXAUSTED!

I ended up with one of the best Infectious disease doctors, that I could find in the Bronx, at a major hospital.  Dr. Menon!  GIIIIIRRRRLLL!!!  A world traveler herself, she was very informative with the information she provided me about my travel.  I finally understood why there was a consultation fee for those outside travel clinics.  We chatted for an hour before I was issued my shots.  She was impressed with the research I had already done, and once I said I was a travel agent, she was even more excited.  I told her about all the past countries I had visited, the one that did get me sick because, I had not known better back then.  It made me realize I should've met with someone like her first!  My best-friend ended up scheduling her visit with her as well.  WE RAN INTO EACH OTHER IN HER OFFICE!

10. Your Best Friend Is The Only Counterpart You Feel You Need. GIF from Bestfriend GIFs

In addition to our shots, Dr. Menon created a list of things we should bring, as precaution, and some things we should avoid, due to health issues.

I do highly suggest, before seeing a travel vaccine doctor, you know what vaccines you have already, and to get blood work done prior to your visit as well, to find out if you need to re-up on any, like Hep A and B, which you can easily get from your primary care doctor.

Let me just say that, the Motherland is not cheap!  For those who see how it is displayed on television, being a "developing continent", it is not cheap to visit.  The cost of this trip keeps going up, however, I am certain, it will be worth every penny, per usual.  Anyone who knows me knows, I have yet to have a trip where I did not enjoy myself and make the most of it!

If your interested in visiting Africa or any other parts of the world, and want to get booked (payment plan options available), along with further information, e-mail me at ChristinaCtravels@gmail.com

An independent travel agent for TropicalTravel.net - We don't only book to the Caribbean
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