African vibes on one of the Netherlands’ best beaches TEXT: KOEN GUIKING | PHOTOS: ZANZIBAR BEACHCLUB
Sitting on the deck of Zanzibar Beachclub, soaking up the sun, grilling pieces of succulent meat on your private charcoal barbecue and sipping on a freshly made cocktail, it is hard to imagine this place can only be visited seven months in the year. Every autumn, this cosy pavilion is disassembled and the beach is returned to nature. “By building up our beach club, every year in March, we announce the arrival of summer,” says a cheerful Lieke Priester, co-owner of Zanzibar Beachclub. “Being here for just seven months 84 | Issue 29 | May 2016
of the year gives it its charm. The first days after opening are always special. Not just to us; to our customers as well. It gets busy from day one, whilst we are still busy doing some of the construction work. It is clear that people have been waiting for this moment all winter.” Combine a relaxed lunch with fun activities on the beach All summer long the beach where Zanzibar is based – a prime location, smack in front of the majestic Kurhaus – is bustling with activity. Lieke Priester and her partner Lex Geraerdts add to this liveliness. They organise many workshops on the
beach in front of their establishment to cater for corporate events, bachelor parties and birthday bashes. Very popular are the obstacle course and power kiting lessons, as well as the less strenuous cocktail shaking workshops. Djembe and salsa workshops at this African-style beach bar are also well liked. “We can accommodate almost any request for a group activity, because we work together with an events agency,” Priester explains. “What better way to spend a nice summer day than to have some drinks and lunch on our deck before you get out of your comfortable chair to get active on the beach?”