Zanzibar, Stone Town, and Pemba

2010-2011 — Tanzania

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Zanzibar

Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean located east of Tanzania. The three main islands are Unguja, also called Zanzibar, Pemba to the north, and Mafia to the south. Zanzibar is the main island where most of the tourist industry is concentrated. It is also the home of Stone Town, an ancient town with plenty of history. Pemba is an island not visited very often, and a lot more rural.

Zanzibar is a small paradise with its superb beaches and extremely clear blue waters with a very comfortable temperature (25-29 degrees Celsius).

At dawn, fishermen sell fishes caught during the night.

Notice the size of my sandal next to the fishes.

Nungwi Natural Aquarium.

Fish Market.

Jackfruit.

With my tie and glasses woven with palm tree leaves.

Stone Town

Stone Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 due to its history and its architecture with Arab, Persian, Indian, and European influences. The site was founded in the 11^th century as a simple and unimportant fisherman village. Portuguese built a church in the 16^th century and were in control of the island for nearly two centuries.

At the end of the 17^th century, the Sultanate of Oman took power, and in 1840 the sultan permanently moved to the town. Afterward, the archipelago slowly changed hands to the German and British, and in 1964 the Zanzibar Revolution led to the creation of Tanzania with the merging of Zanzibar and Tanganyika (inland Tanzania).

The town is also infamously known as an ancient trading place for slaves as well as spices.