A short blog today, its late, we’re just back from a latish dinner after a chill morning in the pool and then an afternoon in Stone Town.
Town of Zanzibar on Unguja Island in Tanzania, is renowned for its labyrinth of winding alleys, unique coral-stone architecture, and rich trading history, mostly revolving around the slave trade. Its under a UNESCO World Heritage order, and there is a lot of work going on to renovate/ reconstruct it. It has Persian, Arab, Portuguese, English, Indian and Swahili heritage, thus the strong Islamic population, followed by Christian and Hindu.
Other things its renowned for are;
- Carved Wooden Doors: Famous for hundreds of ornate, intricately carved wooden doors featuring brass spikes and traditional motifs. ( The Navigator was going to punch our guide in the head if he showed us another door – all she wanted was the shops!)
- Spice and Slave Trade History: Served as a major 19th-century commercial hub for the Indian Ocean spice and slave trades under the Sultanate of Zanzibar.
- Birthplace of Freddie Mercury: Known as the birthplace of the legendary Queen frontman, whose childhood home is now a local landmark and hotel.
We walked the streets and alleys, had a drink at a bar on the water and watched the sunset over the waterfront before the one hour bumpy ride home.
I think we should have had a few more days here.
Tomorrow we leave Tanzania and head back to Johannesburg in South Africa for our flight home in 2 days time.
By the way, Tanzania is made up of Tanganyika ( mainland African side) and Zanzibar ( the island) thus the blended letters.
Ciao from Zanzibar
Pauolo
