20 August

The new resort was almost as good as the other but very close to Stone Town. The town had similarities to Cuba with interesting old buildings run down but due to the fact that there has been no development or architectural vandalism by building modern glass buildings the town could be renovated to its old glory.

Buses are converted small trucks.

On the way we stopped off at the local market based on a typical eastern style old building with crowds of people haggling over prices. No electricity and little light made the building dark, hang onto your bags and wallet.

Outside vendors sell vegetables.

Pots of dried fruit.

Sacks of spices.

Lychees in there outer skin.

Quality fruit.

How about some meat, maybe a cows head with tongue and ears attached and the brain tossed in. Yuk!

Zanzibars still trades in exotic spices and this market was full of them as well vegetables, fruits and all manner of food such as fish we had never seen before and meats that were all being butchered as we walked along.

The variation of foods was amazing.

There were many different type of fish that we had not seen before.

Haggling is expected.

These people are wonderful and hard working and easy to connect with.

This is where they auction the goods

On completing our tour of the market we started a walking tour of the labyrinth of narrow streets.

There are numerous furniture makers.

“Take a ways” are much more healthy than western “take a ways”. In this case it is kebabs.

Wow its a A35 that bought a smile to us.

We saw kids playing in the school grounds. We gave them a donation for the school it is wise to see where your money actually goes to.

First stop the Slave market and a memorial sculpture. In this sculpture the African chief at the right rear looks on as he has sold some of his tribe to the Arabs.

The church still standing was built on top of the slave market as a statement to slavers.

Anglican church built on the old slave site.

The brutality of men has a sobering effect.

We continued on the walk through the narrow streets.

Cell phones are the number one item to own in Africa. There are cell phone towers everywhere and you may live in a mud hut but you have a cell phone, they have taken over from Coca cola for advertising that has all gone now.

Vendors selling second hand clothes sent from western countries.

While the buildings looked dilapidated there are glimpses of the towns past glory reflecting its Arab history with doors such as this.

Our guide was excellent and he gave a balance view of the good and the bad about the history, architecture, culture and the changes in society and the fact that Tanzania is non sectarian but as Zanzibar is a predominantly Islamic state the laws reflect this in moderate dress for women.

This man was making boxes beating a brass covering with intricate design.

The locals have a sense of humour, on this power poll with a ladder to it was this.

All sorts of artefacts could be bought in shops.

Muslims, Christians and Jews practice religions along side each other in harmony.

Kids buying lollies at a convenience store

All sorts of goods are sold.

We checked out this Arab fort that contained stalls selling stuff, restaurant a stage and theatre for entertainment.

We were not able to visit the Sultans Palace as it was under repair.

Himmmm the electrical wiring was interesting; they could do with Garry or Monty sorting out their wires.

We went and paid homage to Freddie Mercury by checking out the house that he was born in. Some people wanted to run a festival to celebrate his life but as his life style was not compatible with Islam the council vetoed it. Last year a law against homosexuality was passed but apparently this has made little effect as Zanzibar is still a Mecca for South Africa homosexuals to holiday. This is Mercury house.

We then had lunch at Africa house the former British Club. This building was like walking into the 1930’s.

The interior was sumptuous in fittings and architecture and reflected a time gone by. While time has stood still for this place anyone can use it, they even let us in.

The pool, area stunning.

Not a bad place to have lunch.

The view and grounds beautiful.

We returned to our new resort for a rest with its walk way above the forest crossing over a ravine.

And view over the Indian Ocean.

That evening we went to the Mercury bar with Antonio a guy from Portugal and his Tanzanian friend, who was quite an exotic looking black girl, really good company she lives in Dar-es-Salaam and was with him for the few days we stayed on Zanzibar. From the Mercury bar we could see the port and on the beach young guys were playing soccer. The bar was dirty and the food poor but the company was good.

After dinner we went to the night market but were surprised that it was food stalls where people went to by Zanzibar ethnic take a way food. We ran into Karen and the rest of the group who were tasting the delicacies served up by the vendors.

All manner of food was being sold, we should have eaten here rather than at Mercury’s bar.