We decided to go to Zanzibar, known as Spice Island, for our April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day holiday.. Before we go on vacation, we do a preliminary research as usual.. It was mentioned that no matter which website we open, which forum we read, it is mandatory to have a Yellow Fever vaccine for Zanzibar.. Since the vaccine will be given 10 days before going on vacation, we made our appointment by calling 444 77 34 and went to the Travel Health Center right next to the Karaköy pier and talked to the Doctor. When we heard that the yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory for Tanzania, we did not get the vaccine.. When the information that the doctor said and the information we got from the internet was different, we thought that we would learn the best by sending an e-mail to the tour company we agreed in Zanzibar, and they said that we should get vaccinated in response.. We made an appointment and had our vaccinations done. I have read in a few places that malaria drugs are provided free of charge, but they are not free, you can get them from the pharmacy with a prescription that the doctor will give you.. Information about when to start using and for how long is given by the doctor.. We did not use malaria drugs.
The above information is valid for 2013 and the Yellow Fever vaccine for the last few years is mandatory for those going to Tanzania. And it is recommended to drink malaria medicine as well.. However, we did not use malaria medication in 2016 and 2017.
We are Ready for Vacation
As usual, Turkish Airlines had to spend the 7.5-hour long route by flying economy, as there was no room in the mile class business class cabin.. After the journey, we arrive at Dar Es Salaam Airport at around 3 am. Right in front of the passport control, the police collect everyone’s passport and the visa fee of 50 usd and hand them in.. Then begins a long wait. After the passports are collected, the police inside are called and fingerprinted in turn, then standby mode again.. After completing the procedure inside, the police call out to the passport holders and hand out their passports.. By the way, no fingerprints were taken from me.. We spend 4 hours sleeping on the benches in front of the departure terminal.. We arrive at the island by plane, which will take off at 07:20 in the morning, with a very short journey of 20 minutes. we got our vaccine. But neither Tanzania nor Zanzibar asked for our vaccination certificate.
Our guide Adam welcomed us, as he had not signed with the Eco Culture Tour before we left.. We went to Eco Culture Tour company and paid 86 dollars per person for our transfers, Stone Town walking tour, Prison Island and Spice tour, and got the receipt.
2000 In Stone Town, which was included in the list of world cultural heritage by UNESCO in , people can easily practice their faith without being under pressure.. 95% of the population is Muslim, the remaining 5% is Christian and Hindu.. Stone Town has 51 Mosques, 6 Hindu Temples and several churches.
The construction of the first stone house on the island dates back to 1830.
Since 1832, Sultan Said Muscad came here with his dynasty from Ommman and made Stone Town the capital.. During this time, Stone Town has made quite a progress in trade.. It is especially known for its reputation in the spice and slave trade.
Slavery was abolished in 1873 and Zanzibar came under the auspices of the British in 1896, the shortest war in the world (38 hours).. In 1964, as a result of the popular uprising, Zanzibar was liberated from the British Colony and gained its independence.. Today, Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania.
Pictures of stone town’s narrow streets and richly carved, embossed wooden doors we move forward. The gates are quite famous here.. While the number of doors was 800 in the 1980 census, the number of doors decreased considerably due to the fact that those coming from abroad were collecting these doors and theft.
The workmanship on the doors is technically and artistically striking.. Doors are of two types indian (gujarati) and arabic doors. Brass buttons on doors come from Indian culture. Brass buttons were made to prevent the elephants roaming the streets from entering the houses. Style Door
After touring the streets of Stone Town, it’s time to see the must-sees;
Fish-Meat – Vegetable Market (Darajani Market): First, we start to visit the vegetable market.. The most important feature of this market is that men come to the market, not women.. We really didn’t see a single woman inside.. After the fruit market, we skip the meat market and enter the fish market.. All restaurants and hotels do their shopping here to meet their food needs.. For your information! It is a very dirty market where you can see different landscapes like the fish, flies flying around like crazy, octopuses bathing in sparkling water, and nothing in the name of hygiene inside.. Don’t come this far and fail to come in.. Just across the market is the bus station with minibuses going all over the island.
Africa House Hotel: We went to the terrace of the Africa House Hotel to leave the market and relax with the view of the Indian Ocean.. We do not have a word to say about the ambiance of the terrace, but the cushions of the seats are torn from wear and the sitting groups are on the verge of decay.. Every tourist who comes to Zanzibar comes here to watch the sunset, even if he can’t spend the time-consuming day, he comes to have coffee or a drink.
Former Slave Market : Once hell to people now for us in the paradise island of Zanzibar Human Shame. We visit the slave cells in Zanzibar, home to the slave trade. In the cell in the first picture, 50 men were kept together.. The windows seen inside the cell are not windows, as if they were 2 small holes.. In the empty space in the middle of the cell, the slaves were making their toilets.
75 people, women and their children, were staying together in the cell in this picture.. The chains in the cell are still inside the cell. For 3 days, this torture is also sold as slaves who can withstand hunger and thirst, and those who remain have already lost their lives.. The durable slaves are sold to Europe and America.
It would be wrong to say that the British played a role in the end of slavery, but it had a great effect.. As a result, the system is changing and slavery is slowly ending naturally.
Do we think that slavery has been abolished? No.
For them, slavery no longer exists. But when we see the working conditions and lifestyles, the modern slavery system still works. It is almost impossible to breathe in the cell.. We breathe deeply as we throw ourselves out. Except for these two cells, not much remains.. The church was built in the area where the market is located.
Zanzibar Anglican Church
The wooden cross in the middle of the church story; Livingstone’s life ends in Zambia. His heart was taken out of his body and buried under a tree where he died, and then a cross was made from this tree and placed in the church.
The marble located just at the entrance of the church was brought from Italy.. At the same time, the cylinders on the right side of the entrance were also brought from Italy.. And when you pay attention, you may notice that the cylinders are inverted.
The stone sculptures in the garden on the right side of the church were built by Swedish sculptor Clara Sörnas in 1997 as a symbol of slavery.
Arab Fortress : It was built by the grandfather of Arab Sayyid Said for the purpose of protection from the Portuguese. There is an open-air theater inside.
Bey-tül Acayip (House of Wonders) : After visiting the castle, we go to visit the building right next to it, but due to the ruins behind the building. The building, which was used as a museum, was closed to visitors due to renovations.. We couldn’t visit the inside, but let’s share the information we got; The people call this most magnificent and ostentatious house on the island the “Weird House”.. The reason is that electricity and elevator are used in this house for the first time on the island.. The house was built by the Sultan of Oman and used this house. Today, the Sultan’s belongings are exhibited in Bey-tül Acayip, which has been converted into a museum.
Forodhani Night Market: An open air market in the evening in the Forodhani garden in front of Bey-tül Acayip being installed. We didn’t eat anything as a meal because they pre-cooked all the dishes and arranged them on the counters nicely.. They warm it and give it to those who want it.. Even the roasted corn was precooked by the men.. I drank sugar cave juice alone for 1000 shillings. I like it, but I don’t recommend drinking it.. The tool they used to extract the juice from the cane was rusted. I didn’t mind because I’m a little greedy, but it can’t be said to be healthy
Quick Memos
Broken to your side take away dollars. Notice that your dollars are new mints. They do not accept the old edition ones.
Although the dollar is everywhere, you will be more profitable if you convert your dollar to Tanzanian shillings as you land on the island.
Have a hard bargain while you shop. I’ve discounted 9 pieces of souvenirs that cost $225 to $50.. Now consider the size of the bargain.
Stone Town can be visited in 3 hours. Browse slowly, taking pictures of everything you see, without rushing. People are very prejudiced against the camera, it is better to get permission before taking a picture.
Everyone in Africa greets by saying “Jambo Jambo” whether they know each other or not.
A few words from us in Swahili
Jambo : Hello
Habari : How are you
Ahsante : Thanks
Karibu : Welcome
Duka : Store, shop
Beigani : Few para?
Hakuna Matata : No ProblemSummaryArticle NameZANZİBAR ISLAND STONE TOWNDescriptionIn Stone Town, which was included in the UNESCO world cultural heritage list in 2000, people can practice their faith comfortably without being under pressure..
Venice Travel Notes