TRAVEL|TAKING OFF

Zipping through Zanzibar

A weekend on the edge of Africa

Looking towards the setting sun from a Zanzibar beach. © Ron Smit, 2019

Back in 2019, I was doing a short assignment in Tanzania, including a few days in Zanzibar. And Marina was able to join me over the weekend, staying in Stone Town, a great opportunity to do some sightseeing and snorkeling!

Zanzibar, just of the East coast of Africa, together with the (previous) mainland country of Tanganyika, forms the United Republic of Tanzania. Picture from Google Maps.

Stone Town used to be the capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate, and now forms part of the capital city of the island. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its unique mixture of Swahili (Arab, Persian, Indian and European) elements. It’s a fascinating and very friendly place to visit.

Pretty pleasant view over part of Stone Town and the Indian Ocean beyond. © Ron Smit, 2019

A typical doorway in Stone Town. Impressive door, perhaps not very inviting. © Ron Smit, 2019

We also took a trip to the nearby Prison Island, which is today more of a destination for tourists. In fact, after the prison was built in the 1890's, it was never actually used as a prison. Instead, it was used as a quarantine station for people who arrived by sea and who might have diseases like cholera or the plague. (For many of us who have had to be quarantined recently, or who’ve had to self-isolate, the term “prison” might sound applicable, anyway!). This Prison Island, however, is in a nice tropical spot, where one can snorkel or just laze about in the warm weather.

En route to Prison Island with a local boat. © Ron Smit, 2019

So now you know where Prison Island is! © Ron Smit, 2019

Yours truly with Marina, looking slightly touristic… picture by a fellow traveler, with my camera. © Ron Smit, 2019

The island also hosts a large number of large Aldabra tortoises. © Ron Smit, 2019

Back on the main island of Zanzibar, on the eastern coast, you will find white beaches and clear, warm water. And as you can see from the next image, some people are already taking advantage of this setting!

A bit sad to see such development in places like this, but at least foreign tourists will be able to spend some money here while they enjoy the sun and the sand and the sea. © Ron Smit, 2019

Foreigners will also be welcomed by Gucci, but perhaps the level of merchandise will be a bit different from what they might expect elsewhere. © Ron Smit, 2019

All in all, a very interesting island to visit!

The sun setting over Stone Town, a view from our hotel rooftop. © Ron Smit