Africa Travel 7

After spending several days along the beaches of Lake Malawi, we headed into Tanzania where we spent a few more days along the beaches of Zanzibar Island and the beaches just South of Dar es Salaam. We first arrived in Dar es Salaam, which is the main city of Tanzania and has a population of 2.5 million people. It is a modern African city that has all the associated charm and problems.

People from the rural areas continually flock to the city in search of work, which makes Dar unable to accommodate the growth in terms of roads, power, and sewer systems. As a result, there are shanty-towns spreading for miles around the city, and the poverty breeds crime and more poverty. However, the city boasts of a beautiful port, nice hotels, and all the conveniences of modern life if one is able to pay for it. We stayed at a small campsite on a beach just south of Dar es Salaam and then caught the ferry early the next morning to Stone Town, Zanzibar.

Zanzibar began as a powerful city-state built by Persian traders between the 12th and 15th century. The island then came under Portuguese control until the 16th century when it was claimed by Oman, and the Sultan of Oman moved his court there in the 1840's. Finally, the island came under the control of the British and was then given independence in 1963 just before it united with Tanganyika to form the current country of Tanzania.

The main city, Stone Town, consists of many weather-worn stone buildings and large mansions whose ornately decorated doors and facades harkens back to another era of great wealth. The city became prosperous by exporting slaves, gold, ivory, wood, and spices. Now, the city is quite poor, but it still has a lot of charm and mysticism due to the mix of cultures and architectural styles of the previously mentioned rulers of the country.

We arrived there on a very rainy day and spent the day walking through the labyrinthine streets in about ankle deep water. The rain seemed to never stop, and while the city was interesting, we were all excited to leave the city and head for the beaches in the North the next day. The beaches in the North are about 45 minutes from the city, and you drive through forests of palm trees and small poor villages, then you pass large palace-like houses that are a couple hundred years old. The beach we stayed on was called Nungwi, and it was a little beach town with thatch roofed huts, small beach bars, and a few dive shops.

Unfortunately, the rain did not really stop until the day that we were leaving, but we thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent there just relaxing at the beach, and Ian and I are planning on returning once we finish the overland portion of our trip. Now, we are heading back to Dar es Salaam for one night, and then we will continue on to Arusha, which will be our launching point to go see the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti Plains. Till next time, cheers.