Zanzibar
is located in the Indian Ocean (6°/10' S - 36°/20' E), 37 km east of
the coast of Tanzania, surrounded by exciting reefs and has always fascinated
spice traders, travellers, adventurers and colonialists from all over
the world. They landed on the white beaches of the island and left traces,
a process that made Zanzibar a multicultural bazaar.
For
centuries Zanzibar has been known for being the island of spices located
on the original trade route between Asia, Africa and Europe. Apart from,
cloves, ginger and turmeric, vanilla, coriander and cinnamon, also traditional
carvings and gems stones like tanzanite are brought to the island.
The three main islands Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia, which are surrounded
by several smaller islands, are located off the Tanzanian coast. They
cover an area of 2,332 km² . Each of these wonderful islands grants
for virgin beaches, turquoise- coloured water and a marvellous stay.
The island Zanzibar is 37 km east of Tanzania. The long white sand beaches
lined with palms and the deep blue sea contrast wonderfully with the
exceedingly green and fertile interior of the island.
The old days, supposed to be gone for a long time, come back to life
in the enchanting old town of Zanzibar (Stonetown). People interested
in archaeology can visit several excavation sites that date back to
the 12th century and imagine the luxurious life on this coast in the
past centuries.
Zanzibar is one of the most important clove exporters in the world,
but also other spices such as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, ginger,
lemon grass, vanilla, cardamom as well as an incredible choice of tropic
fruits and vegetables grow very well. Your senses are fascinated by
the strong colours and the gentle smells that surround you wherever
you may go.
A
spice tour surely belongs in a Zanzibar stay. Cultivation, harvest and
processing are very well explained and you will see all the spices aswell
as taste them or smell them. Everywhere on the island you can see clove
trees and cloves that lie on the ground for drying in the harvesting
month (September-October).
The most known beaches are located in the east of the island. Long white
sand beaches, palm trees, water as clear as glass, turquoise blue lagoons
and a lot of peace grant for having a holiday like in paradise, the
only drawback being the sea receeding to the reef in low tide, which
makes it a long walk to swim. On the north-west coast, you will have
smaller beaches, with the advantage of being able to swim at any time
of the day as the slope is steeper.The capital of the island is the
city of Zanzibar. It is an interesting adventure to stroll through the
narrow lanes of the old part of town (Stonetown), to get lost again
and again and at last to escape from the maze of lanes to get the view
of the sea. The city gives a wonderful impression of the life on the
coast. As a lot of the old houses are dilapidated, the splendour and
wealth of this formerly so important city can only be guessed. Nevertheless,
restorations are being undertaken increasingly, also under the UN World
Heritage Fund.
The
dhow harbour is especially vivid in the early mornings. Fishermen come
ashore with their catch and quite often you can see sharks, big cuttlefish
or rays. 'Dhows' of arabic origin, with their archaic looking sails
are completely handmade and used everyday by the fishermen.
In front of the dhow harbour is a huge mango tree, in which shade the
boat builders are busy. Even on very hot days the narrow lanes in the
old part of town offer enough shade. In the ground floor of the buildings
there are often shops that sell food, clothes, utensils, art objects
or souvenirs. In the floors above you can find the apartments. Zanzibar
Town is a multicultural city where the religious affiliation varies
much.
The town offers several sights as for instance the sultan palace, an
ancient fort, a Persian and an Omani bath, churches, famous people's
residences as for example the Livingston House or Freddy Mercury?s birth
house, museums.
In Forodhani garden, on the water front, a multitude of small food stands
emerge out of nowhere at sunset. For very little money you can get grilled
lobster, fried cuttlefish, small meat spits, samosas (pastry filled
with meat and vegetables), Viezi (small fried potatoes balls with lemon
grass) and many other local specialities as the zanzibari pizza or the
freshly made sugar cane juice. Forodhani Park is a meeting place in
the evenings, especially during the month of Ramadan, where people gather,
all beautifully dressed for their evening meal.
On the north coast of Zanzibar, you will find many boat builders who
build their dhows in the most simple way under the open sky. When there
is a naming of a ship the whole village is out and about and takes the
opportunity to hold a grand celebration.
Jozani Forest is a beautiful protected tropical rain forest, where
you can also see the endemic red Colobus monkey. You can visit it with
a guide on the way to the south coast. Kizimkazi, in the south, is well
known for the dolphin tours, where the locals take you out on a dhow
and garanty you the sight of dolphins, aswell as snorkeling with them.
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