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Zanzibar Adventure
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swaibu 1 reviews
Stone Town - Zanzibar Island
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Favorite thing: IF You travel to Zanzibar consider the following
-Avoid Travel Problems;
Since Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, you do not need a new passport if you have Tanzania visa. If you do not have one, you can secure a single pass visa on the border or at the Zanzibar International Airport The visa fee varies depending on your location. Nonetheless, the cost ranges only from 20 to 60 US dollars
-You can go to Zanzibar Island by air or water. Dozens of airlines offer flights to Zanzibar all year round. Charter planes are also available
-Foods, Drinks and Customs:
Most hotels, resorts and restaurants offer fish and seafood in the menu. Spicy foods are also very common in the island.Swahili culture prevails in the Zanzibar Island and if you happen to visit the island during Ramadan wherein the Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, you will need to avoid eating and drinking in public until the sun sets
-Where to visit:
The Zanzibar Island has a rich wildlife. The Jozani forest is the best place for nature lovers. The Zanzibar Island is proud of the approximately 100 species of butterflies. The red colobus monkey is also unique to the island. Adder’s duiker can also be seen roaming around the forest
Stone Town and prison island are"The must visit"if you love historical events.The Stone Town has persevered stone houses with wooden carved doors that astonish most tourists
The Zanzibar Island is also rich in beaches. There are more than 20 beaches at present. The most beautiful and popular can be found in the east. The Zanzibar beaches have superb white sand and the water has the ideal temperature for activities like swimming and snorkeling anytime of the year.
For more you can Visit My Blog about Zanzibar Island
http://inzanzibar.net/reasons-to-visit-zanzibar-island/

Fondest memory: I love stone Town.
The sentiments behind the words I LOVE STONE TOWN is one you’d certainly feel the moment you step out of the plane and see for yourself the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar.
What to see in Stone Town
WONDERFUL BUILDINGS; The average thickness of a wall in Stone Town is 40 – 60 cm. The building material used is coral rag and lime mortar. An appropriate technology for a hot and humid climate. When the monsoon swept in over Zanzibar the walls managed to absorb the dampness. The material in the walls could expand. When the hot and dry season entered the walls dried out and the heat was kept at bay
BUILDINGS ROOMS
Most rooms found in traditional houses in Stone Town are quite narrow and deep. The height from floor to ceiling was generous and made it possible for the air to circulate and cool off
WHAT ABOUT THE WINDOWS
The windows in the Stone Town buildings are also worth some attention. They often stretch from floor and high up the walls, with deep niches protecting the inside room from direct sun-light. The lower part at floor level had separate shutter that could open and helped to increase the ventilation in the rooms
HISTORICAL STREETS IN STONE TOWN;
The Arab families were used to stay close to each other and many of the buildings were connected via walkways like bridges, still seen on the first floors This arrangement made it possible for the female members of the family to go and visit relatives and friends without having to enter the streets. Still the wind from the sea was allowed to blow though and give some comfort during hot days.
As you walk through the town, please remember that Stone Town is very much a real community, where real people live and work. It is not a museum piece or theme park created for tourists. Hence sensitivity should be shown to the local people.
you can Visit my Blog http://inzanzibar.net/stone-town-in-zanzibar for more. Thanks

Written Mar 25, 2012

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Adventure Travel
 Food and Dining

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Zanzibar - not as cheap as you might think!
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

cafank 286 reviews
Get fresh fruit at the market
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Favorite thing: I loved my time - 5 days - on Zanzibar Island and it is a place I would return to. But, don't expect it to be a cheap African island , or similar in prices to Asian or South Pacific Islands.

Although it is not wildly expensive everything is what I would call an average price - through to expensive. Don't expect super cheap drinks, massages at the beach or henna tattoos.

Drinks in bars can be very expensive so watch what you are drinking. Food isn't too bad - you can find a lot of cheap places. Especially those places which are not attached to hotels and beach resorts.

When it came to eating out in Nungwi Beach we often checked out several restaurants; the best ones are on the beach - chairs and tables are on the sand - and prices vary enormously. As is common the better the resort and views the higher the prices - at night there were no views so we happily ate on the beach.

Fondest memory: So many memories, I loved the beachside areas where I could wander for miles along the beach stopping to talk to locals or just watch what was happening.

I'm not a shopper but did enjoy Stone Town and some of the little shops we found in alleys - away from the main tourist areas.

Souvenirs didn't seem to vary in price too much where ever you went though the tourist shops near the Nungwi resorts were a bit dearer (but they did have some unusual and different things here).

Updated Mar 3, 2010

Related to:
 Seniors
 Women's Travel
 Budget Travel

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Beit-el-Ajaib
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mumbhai 1 reviews

Favorite thing: Beit-el-Ajaib, or the `house of wonders'. It was built 1925 and has relics and exhibits from the Sultans, the slave traders and European explorers and Missionaries. Living stone’s medicine chest is supposed to be here too

Written Mar 3, 2005

Related to:
 Business Travel

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Zanzibar Island Favorites

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