This is a place where Africa meets Arabia and where Europe met the two. No place better manifests this than Stonetown. And after 3 days and 3 nights on a decaying 1970's chinese train, we were happy to be where martians met the President if it met a shower, a non-moving bed and scenery that didn't change every second! Stonetown is a rumbling maze of narrow streets, small shops and dark doorways leading into cool courtyard & interiors where voices of neighbours are heard above you as windows are so close! With buildings with names like the House of Wonders, the Africa House Hotel, the Palace Fort and the nightly Furodhani Gardens food market! This is a place where James Bond could be in the tropics with palm trees swaying and easy going white robed Zanzibarians hang out on every street corner.

This is a place of rampart, but quiet make-do, will-do commercialism where 28 days without power from the mainland is taken in stride. No electricty means using the generators. Because nothing would stop the nightly viewing of the Euro 2008 footie. Where else could a small secluded courtyard in the heart of unseen Stonetown transform itself into a large open air stadium at night. And for the assembled football mad crowds to cheer loudly teams like Romania and Russia. What connection is there between Zanzibar and Romania, I ask? Connections matter little, it is just a good night out.