A snapshot of Stone Town, Zanzibar

Steeped in history, Pemba is the name of the larger of the 2 islands
that make up what most people think of as ‘Zanzibar.’ I arrived in the
capital, Stone Town, more than a little disorientated after a long
sleepless flight and surreal ferry journey (seated next to a young boy
with a LIVE chicken in a plastic bag)! The heat was stifling. The sun
coupled with the bright colours of the women’s clothing dazzled me as
I took my first steps on African soil. Ever since I had gazed across
the strait of Gibraltar while on holiday as a child, I had dreamt of
coming to this ancient and enticing land.

I had pre-booked a room at the Flamingo Hotel (flamingoguesthouse.com/
$10 per person per night for very basic en suite, £8 for shared
bathroom facilities) which is a popular haunt for budget travellers.
Basic, clean…ish and with breakfast on the roof included in the price,
it was just the ticket. After dumping my bag in my room and changing
into cool white and modest clothing (this is primarily Muslim town), I
headed out into the heat of the afternoon. Despite my tiredness I was
keen to explore this Unesco World Heritage Site.

Diving straight into market, I found myself well and truly in at the
deep end of everything I had imagined Africa to be. The smell in the
air was a fantastic blend of spices and exotic fruit. Stalls selling
everything from shawls to sardines surrounded me. My pale skin singled
me out as an easy target for shopkeepers, artists and tour operators,
not to mention some less savoury characters. I would soon become
accustomed to the constant calls of ‘mzungu, mzungu’ but for now it
was disarming to be stared at for being exotic.

Stone Town is a photographer’s heaven. Around every corner there is a
scene begging to be captured. The architecture is unique, mixing
traditional African with Arabic influences. This was a major hub of
the slave trade, where several million African people were held before
being transported to Asia and the Middle East. At St. Monica’s Church,
which was built on the site of the old slave market, you are able to
do a tour of the church, monument and the eerie slave chambers.

For the delicious food I headed to Forodhani Gardens where each
evening countless stalls piled high with exotic seafood, local kebabs,
traditional chai and more can be found for just a few dollars. If
you’re feeling flush, Africa House is the perfect place to go for a
sundowner (www.theafricahouse-zanzibar.com/). I was lucky enough to be there in July for the Zanzibar International Film Festival(http://www.ziff.or.tz/) which showcases local, national and
international film makers in the fantastically atmospheric Old Fort.
Easily accessible by taxi or dalla-dalla (local mini bus) are
countless beautiful beaches, and Jozani Forest where you can see the
approachable red colobus monkeys endemic to Zanzibar.