Hotel Le Sultan

THE SHORTEST WAR IN HISTORY- ZANZIBAR

by DAO

Zanzibar fought the world’s shortest war against the British Empire – and lost after 38 minutes. Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini had been cooperating with the British when he suddenly died on 25 August 1896. His nephew, Khalid bin Bargash, seized power at the expense of another would-be pro British Sultan. Khalid was ordered to step aside. He did not. On the 26th, 5 British warships began the shelling of the Palace at 9:00 am. They quickly sank the H.H.S. Glasgow, the Sultan’s only warship, and the Sultan fled to the German Consulate. The war was over in 38 minutes and the British installed their own candidate who they then promptly billed for the expense of the shells used!

Morocco: Meknes

by tini58de

This is the official brief description of the UNESCO committee

"Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became a capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727), the founder of the Alawite dynasty. The sultan turned it into a impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and European styles of the 17th-century Maghreb are still evident today."

(quoted from the official UNESCO website)

Personal impression:

Meknes was my favourite of the four King's Cities in Morocco - I can't really explain, why, but I really liked it a lot!

Unfortunately I can't find most of my pictures, so please be patient with me... They must be somewhere....

Website

http://whc.unesco.org/sites/793.htm

A Tour of Tunisia

by maxovna

"El Jem"

El Jem used to be a great trading centre since it was situated on the crossways of roads to north, east, south and west. The local theater is one of the third greatest Roman theatres after the Colosseum and some other situated also in Italy. They began to build it at the end of the II century a.d., but it was never finished. But there were gladiators fights and animals' persecution. The theatre could hold 30000 people at a time.

"Matmata"

The town of Matmata developed in Middle Ages. Here you can see plenty of troglodytes' caves . Those people dug their homes underground to escape the heat and also to escape civilization. They wanted to live on their own laws. Not far from Matmata the films "Star Wars" and "The English Patient" were shot. In the picture - inside the cave.

"Tozeur"

You'll certainly enjoy Tozeur , the sand oasis. The main attraction there is Scherehezade's Garden . It's a rather large territory with fairy tale palaces, Oriental colour and episodes from "1001 Nights". You'll look around caves with skeletons scattered everywhere, you'll see the treasures of Ali-Baba. In one of the caves you'll see plenty os sleeping and snorring robbers. You'll be impressed by the apartment of the sultan. At the exit from the Gardens stood one of the tallest people of our time (a real giant). You may give him a dinar and make a picture with him.

"Tamerza"

You can get to Tamerza only in a jeep - car or buses can't go there. Here you may bathe in the waterfall. Not far from Tamerza there is a cave where the scientists found the trace of the most primitive man in the world.

"Sahara Douz"

Oh, here I am so-o-o-o much tired after an hour camelride ! I am having a rest on the sand in the part of Sahara near the town of Douz , where we stayed overnight in a magnificent hotel!

"A Very Tall Man"

At the exit from Scherehezade's Garden in Tozeur any tourist for a fee of 1 dinar could have a picture taken with one of the tallest men in the world, who is taking commercial advantage of his incredible height.

"Chebika"

Chebika is a unique place on the Earth! The scenery is unbelievable - desert, mountains and palm trees. Here in unbearable heat we explored the ancient Roman town built in the I century B.C., then we descended to a small waterfall where we bathe with great pleasure!

"Kairouan"

Kairouan used to be the capital of the country from VI to IX centuries A.D. It's the 4th sacred town of the Moslem world and is famous for its grand Mosque and carpet manufacturing.