Today we took a day trip into Stone Town to see the only actual town on the Island of Zanzibar. Stone Town is steeped in history dating back to the spice trade in the 19th Century.
Stone Town is a fascinating mix of Arabic, African, Indian and European influences. As you walk through the bustling streets and narrow alley ways you are immersed in each of these cultures through the varied architecture.
Many of the buildings are crumbling and in desperate need of restoration but there is good news: at the turn of the millenium Stone Town was named a UNESCO world heritage site. This has helped to preserve the buildings and historical architecture.
In these narrow alley ways there is never a dull moment. There's a market store on every corner and people are trying to sell you something everywhere you go.
In some places like Egypt there is a lot of pressure to buy from the locals, but in Stone Town it's incredibly friendly and gives you the perfect opportunity to learn about the people and the culture from the approachable locals.
