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Published: April 6th 2015
HAJI OUR GUIDE
Zambesian men still wear the Omani style of clothingIn modern times, about the only known personage from Zanzibar is the late Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen. He was the talented guy who sang "We Are the Champions" and "Bohemian Rhapsody." When I hear the word Zanzibar I think of spices and pirates and Vasco de Gama and all things exotic.
The Sultan of Oman ruled this important trading outpost for centuries. But in looking at the history of this island, it is most infamous for being the center of the slave trade in the Indian Ocean. Tippu Tib was a notorious slave trader and ended up being one of the richest men in Zanzibar. He had large plantations and "owned" 10,000 slaves himself. The British eventually brought about the end of the slave trade in the 19th Century.
We went in a private car with Helga and Jurgen to tour this spice island. Zanzibar is such a mixture of African, Asian, Arabian influences not to mention a few Europeans. Doctor Livingston began his great exploration of the interior of Africa from Zanzibar. The men still wear Omani garb while the woman wear mostly colorful African clothing even the Islamic women.
A number of years
ago Helga took a dhow sail boat from Dar es Salaam on the African mainland, which is 22 miles across the channel. She arrived after dark and made her way to a small hotel just up from the port. She spent days exploring Zanzibar which is still far off the tourist beaten path. Helga is one of the most adventurous travelers I know. She has stories that could fill several books. We went in search of her hotel and visited a charming inn with a pool in the open air atrium and we walked the narrow lanes that make up Stone Town.
We went to the Jozani Nature Preserve to see the rare Red Colobus Monkeys and the mangrove forests which shield Zanzibar from cyclone surges and winds. The monkeys are now a protected species and the Jozani rainforest is their safe haven. We also learned that seaweed farming is a big business run primarily by women, which is quite unusual for a Muslim country. Seaweed is used to make soap, juices, toothpaste, antibiotics and furniture varnish.
We drove back to Stone Town and crept into the underground chambers where slaves were kept in abysmal conditions prior to
being shipped out to Oman and other parts of Arabia. Entering the claustrophobic dungeon was like descending into hell.
As we sailed away from Zanzibar we had a Cruise Specialists party on the pool deck. The party was a sunset/candlelight affair since we were still traveling under the pirate security program and the ship's exterior lights were blacked out. It was a mild evening weather-wise and quite magical in the muted light.
Mayotte is one of the most unique places in the Indian Ocean. First and foremost, Mayotte is geographically located in the Comoros Archipelago. However, this remote spec of land is actually a member of the European Union. The Euro is its official currency and its official language is French. While it is a poor country, it is not as poor as the neighboring Comoros Islands who voted for independence from their colonial rulers.
Mayotte is made up of numerous islands and is surrounded by a big, beautiful lagoon. For that reason we decided to take a zodiac boat for a diving tour. The first thing we did was cruise outside of the lagoon in search of dolphins. We found a large pod of spinner dolphins
and they put on a real show riding our bow wake and flipping and diving all around us. After that we went to a sandy cove for swimming and snorkeling. The water temperature was perfect and we saw some colorful fish and coral. It was a great day on the water.
We went to the market located right at the pier and saw some beautifully dressed women selling their products imported from China. Most of the men were in the mosque praying...probably praying that their wives would make some sales. The locals were quite camera-shy but several women allowed us to take their pictures.
Next stop is Madagascar to see the lemurs.
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Michael Kalm
non-member comment
Zanzibar!
Now you are in the part of your itinerary that makes me drool with envy. Zanzibar! Madagascar! There is something so magical in just the names, and to think what's there. Nascar! Rebar! Cigar! - Nope, those don't do it for me, so it's got be more than just the sounds.