Stroll through Zanzibar's ancient Stone Town*
No one single attraction can beat an afternoon
strolling through the narrow streets and winding
alleys of ancient Stone Town, the capital of
Zanzibar.
You'll get lost - everybody does - but don't worry, you'll eventually emerge from the cool, shady lanes into the blinding sunlight of the seafront eventually.
Until then, you'll find something of interest around every corner - an Arab archway leading into a white-walled square, with the sound of prayer coming from behind the walls of a mosque. Or perhaps you'll stumble upon the Darajani Market, with symmetrical piles of oranges, baskets of spices and enormous chunks of fresh fish arranged under palm-thatch shelters. Ladies will glide past, shrouded in black Islamic head-dresses. Old, long-bearded men in white skull caps will look up from their games of Bao or dominoes to greet you gravely as you pass, and small children will take your hand and invite you to join their games in the overgrown remains of Indian townhouses. Remember to keep looking up - below a blue strip of sky, ornate shutters are thrown open and neighbors lean across the narrow gap between their homes to swap gossip and jokes, hang out washing, or just watch the world go by three stories below.
Here are some of my recommendations of places to stay in Zanzibar:
* Grateful thanks to the Tanzania Travel and Tourism Directory - ©Zanzibar Gallery - for the wonderful description of Stone Town.
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