My Journey to Africa Part 4: Zanzibar's Stone Town & Spice Tour

After two days of driving from Arusha to the coast on dusty roads that weren't really like roads at all until we got about half way and sitting in Dar es Salaam traffic jam for 4 hours, we finally arrived at the Indian Ocean! Before heading over to Zanzibar, we needed to pick up new additions so we met at Kipepeo Beach Resort. For just over $5 we decided to upgrade from our tent to this hut on the beach:

Cath in front of our beach hut!

It was a good call.  Who wouldn't want this to be the view out their front door:

After taking two ferries, we finally made it to Zanzibar. The Island of Zanzibar is known as "Spice Island."  Farming and fishing are the main occupations and most people (98% of which are Muslim) live in small villages.  Cloves are a major export, along with coconut products and other spices.  The old Stone Town is a series of alleyways with a traditional Swahili atmosphere.

On arrival, we immediately left on an optional excursion to a Spice Plantation and a short city tour.

"Lipstick" plant

Climbing a tree for fresh coconuts

Stefanie, Karissa, Jodie & Bec decked out in our new jewelry, crowns and purses at the Spice Plantation

  The last part of our tour took us to the Anglican Church in town.  The altar of the church is said to have been placed over the exact site of the whipping post in the slave market.  Stone Town was the pivotal point for the slave trade in East Africa through the 19th Century.  Slaves were collected throughout the interior, chained and brought to Zanzibar for sale.  A male slave cost less than a donkey.  Due to the dedication and influence of Dr. Livingstone of the UK, the slave trade on Zanzibar was ended in the late 19th Century and the church was built.

Site of the old slave market

 After a couple of days at the beach, I spent a day wondering the alleys of Stone Town, just getting lost in the streets exploring the town.  It is an interesting mix of architectural beauty and crumbling white plaster buildings.

Old Dispensary, c.1890

Famous doors of Stone Town - the size of a door and the intricacy of its design was an indication of the owner's wealth and status. The studs probably originated in Persia or India but were only ornamental in Zanzibar.

Spice Market