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In this episode Joanna is heading to a collection of remote Indonesian islands, so small that her first challenge is finding them on the map.
Joanna returns to her birthplace, India, in search of a kitchen cupboard staple once known as ‘black gold’. Starting in the majestic ancient city of Hampi, she’s invited to a dazzling Hindu festival by a local rock climber. Onwards to the lush backwaters of Kerala where she meets a great grandmother who teaches the oldest martial art in the world and spends the night in a magical houseboat inspired by the old spice traders.
Joanna Lumley’s spice journey continues on the African island of Madagascar. Travelling overland on the country’s notorious pot-holed roads, she discovers the secrets of the world’s second most expensive spice, vanilla. From the unique way it’s grown to how it’s dealt on the streets.
The last leg of Joanna Lumley’s journey takes her by dhow to Zanzibar, the spice island of Africa where merchants from around the world have left their mark on the architecture, religion and music. Finally, she travels to Jordan where the spice trail continued on land.
