Zanzibar!

Zanzibar is located about 35km off the coast of Tanzania and has been a hub of trade for Africa the Middle East and India for nearly 1000 years.  The economy has traditionally been dependant on the growing of spices and the slave trade but tourism is now one of the larger industries.

Zanzibar considers itself “separate” from Tanzania, but in reality they are unified.  It was originally controlled by the Bantu people before the Persians arrived.  The Portuguese and British followed until Zanzibar became independent in 1963.

The cultural diversity and everything that it brings is what attracted me to Zanzibar.  And besides, the name itself just seems exotic.

	Zanzibar’s Stone Town attracted traders from Persia by the 10th century and has had Arab influence ever since.  Stone Town is a colourful mix of everything both Arabic and African.     The Old Dispensary here was renovated by the Aga Khan Charitable Trust, which planned to renovate the rest of Stone Town at no charge.  The Stone Town local council requested that Aga Khan give them the money to do the renovations and Aga Khan refused, knowing that it would disappear into the pockets of the local politicians.  The Stone Town politicians refused to let Aga Khan to the renovations if they couldn’t get their grubby hands in the mix, and this is one of the only buildings that isn’t falling apart in Stone Town.
	Non-renovated Stone Town building.
	Bicycles are the primary mode of transportation in Zanzibar’s Stone Town.
	These locals put on their traditional African clothes to help them sell their tourist trinkets.
	Most children will let you take their photo if you ask them first.  However, there were many pictures I wish I could have taken when they said “No.”
	Christians are just one of the many religious groups that live together on Zanzibar.  This is St Josephs Cathedral, built in 1898.
	Just how modern is this “Modern Computer Center Training Department”, I wonder?   Internet access is available in Zanzibar, but it’s quite slow.
	Zanzibar’s carved doors are famous.  They have intricate carving around the outside and these spikes are put on the door itself.  The idea for the spikes comes originally from India, where they are put on the door to keep elephants from smashing them down.  Now, the spikes are mostly ornamental.
	Stone Town is a busy port and you can see some of this activity in the harbour here.
	This open-air theatre is built inside a fort that was constructed by the Omani-Arabs around 1700 to defend against the Portuguese
	The local people have done some renovation in the south part of Stone Town, where the more fancy hotels are located.
	These boys were trying to sell trinkets to us near the posh hotels in Zanzibar.
	Children are often responsible for taking care of their younger siblings, which means carrying them around town as well.
	The Marahubi Palace is just 4km north of Stone Town and was constructed in 1882 by Sultan Barghash to house his harem.
	One of the carvings inside an old Persian bathhouse.
	A palm tree stuck by lightening and every tourist is obliged to take a photo of it.
	A typical mud and thatch hut that you see everywhere in Africa.
	A view through some rocks eroded by the ocean on the west coast of Zanzibar.
	We rented a 250cc motorcycle to explore Zanzibar, which was a great way to get around.  However, it is very easy to get lost since the road signs are pretty bad, so it’s a good idea to ask for directions every 10km or so just to make sure you are going the right way.
	This the view out of the front of our hut on stilts at “Robinson’s Place” in the town of Bwejuu.
	“Robinson’s Place” was an idyllic and simple beachfront guesthouse that can take a maximum of 8 guests.  The grounds are beautiful and the front of your hut is open so that you can watch the sun rise without getting out of bed.  It is run by Ann, a woman from Switzerland, and her husband Ahmed who is a local Zanzibarian.  They don’t have electricity and draw their water from a well which makes it even more charming.  Ann serves communal meals for everyone in the evening and we all sit together using the light from paraffin lamps.
	A swinging beach bench that overlooks the Indian ocean at “Robinson’s Place”.
	Suzanne is relaxing in a hammock in the “lobby” of our beach hut.
	Many of the fishermen use their bicycles to ride along the beach at low tide.
	The palm lined beaches of East Zanzibar, north of Paje.
	Eating breakfast while watching the tide go out at “Robinson’s Place”.
	Riding the motorbike along the beaches of East Zanzibar was a lot of fun.  You cant travel about 10 kilometers north from Bwejuu before rocky outcroppings stop you from going any further.