Day 50 Febuary 22, 2016 ~ Zanzibar Tanzania On the Indian Ocean Passage

Zanzibar’s capital is situated on the west-coast of Unguja (the main island of the archipelago, and commonly referred to as ‘Zanzibar’). Though known as Stone Town, it more accurately called Zanzibar City (Stone Town being the name for to the older, fortified parts only).   It is lined with beautiful beaches.

We were greeted by dancers as we got off the ship this morning.

The city has a colourful history and is of rich cultural interest. A maze of medinas, bazaars, gardens, walls and palaces crosshatch the city. Stone Town is a fascinating, and remarkably easy, place in which to get lost. Declared a world heritage site in 2000 by UNESCO, the city has undergone and continues to undergo much regeneration and restoration. This has largely been financed by the expanding tourist industry.

Locals also greeted our arrival. Our tour began with a 2 ½ hour walking tour of Stone town, another of many World Heritage Sites we encountered.

 This is all new for us and we booked it with 12 other passengers from CC.    They introduced us to the history, architecture, culture and the way of life on this beautiful island.

We then went to a spice plantation to smell and taste variety of fruits herbs and spices the Zanzibar are famous for like Vanilla .......  We also visited the home of the 1st Sultan of Zanzibar and the birth place of his famous daughter Princess Salme.  We also visited the Persian Baths in Kidichi.

The baths here were built in 1850 for the Sultan Said.  He owed the land in this part of the island and he and his 2nd wife would come here to hunt or to over see the work that was being done on their plantations.  The bathhouse was constructed so that they could refresh themselves after the journey.  This sure wasn't maintained and there was mold growing on much of the stucco.  You can enter the bath house and see where the changing room bathing pool and the message tables are.  The only resident now here are a colony of bats. 

All is for $40.00usd per person. We had 6 hours. Ship tour was  109.00 usd pp for only 3 hours.

Tomorrow we are in Kenya Mombassa.  we have another 7 hour Safari.

We we got back to the ship today after sweating all day they had a Chemical leak on the 8th floor and our room was right below it.  We could not be in the room for more than 5 minutes.  Your eyes would burn and you would be coughing a lot.  Don't know if they will give us some other room for tonight or not.  Very very bad.  We need to go to the medical room on the 3rd floor to see what we can get for tonight. 

What a great day UNTIL.....