Zanzibar, Stone Town!

Dhow in Stone Town Harbour
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Made it to Zanzibar yesterday and checked into a decent place right in Stone Town, and right next to the water front.  Zanzibar and Stone Town are everything that Lamu was supposed to be, but wasn't.  Stone Town in a wonderful labrynth of alleys that are never going straight.  The nice thing is that the area is relatively clean and safe and friendly.  The whole area has so much character to it.  Although you are always lost when walking in Stone Town it is relatively small and since it is on a point if you tend to go ina any one direction long enough you end up on the water front.  Stone town is famous for its ornately carved doors which were once a symbol of wealth.  Many of the doors were removed and sold years ago, but they are working hard to keep and restore the remaining ones.  Zanzibar is also clearly trying to revitalize and clean up the area.

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I visited a few museums, the sultans palace, and the old Slave Trading Center.  Zanzibar has an amazing history to it.

One of the nicest things has been that there are actually other tourists here.  For the first time in weeks I don't feel like the only Mzungu (swahili for white person) in town.  Accomodation is more expensive here $30/night) but food is really cheap in Tanzania at about $8-$10 for a good meal including drink.

I had a good meal at Mercury's resturant last night.  This place is named after Freddie Mercury of Queen, who was born in Zanzibar (but left when he was very young).  The place was really busy mostly with other tourists, food was good, as was the music.  It was a much needed recharge from the previous few days.

Man hole covers in Stone Town
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Most of today i just wandered aimlessly around town, and on the beach.  I really think that a person could spend an entire two weeks here on Zanzibar as they have a lot of options for travellors to do.  I have a few days left so tomorrow i will be on a tour of the spice farms, then a little swimming and snorkling.  I think i will spend the last two days on the north end of the island....