Catch a ferry from Dar Es Salaam and within a few hours you'll find yourself in the port city of Stone Town. Visual wanderings through the maze-like streets of Stone Town is a photographer's dream. The town is generously draped in colours, textures, and patterns that keep your eyes happy and constantly in search of a picture to be made.
Zanzibar is an interesting place with an interesting history. In the 17th century the island fell under the control of the Sultanate of Oman and was the centre of the East African Slave Trade for many years. Up until the 19th century, close to 50,000 slaves a year passed through the port. Eventually Zanzibar came under the control of the British Empire and anti-slavery treaties were signed in an effort to abolish the movement of slaves into the Arab world. Zanzibar was granted independence in 1963 as a constitutional monarchy from Great Britain, but a month later a bloody revolution resulted in thousands dead and the establishment of the People's Republic of Zanzibar. A year later the republic joined with Tanganiyka, later renamed Tanzania, as presently known. Today Zanzibar operates as semi-autonomous from Tanzania, with the younger generations considering it its own state.
Today one of the largest industries on the island is that of spice production. I visited a spice farm and had the opportunity to sample lemon grass, cinnamon, cardamon, cumin, black pepper, vanilla beans,among others I now forget, and a multitude of local fruits. It was definitely worth a stop!
Following a few days in Stone Town we made our way north to visit the beaches and indulge in a few slow days of island living. There are ample activities to enjoy on the north shore: scuba diving, snorkelling, a visit to the aquarium to meet with giant sea turtles, or just lounging on the gorgeous beaches. Five days was hardly enough time to spend on Zanzibar, but it allowed for enough of an introduction to want to return.
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