Zanzibar

Wednesday, 5. September 2007, 21:14:42

a beautifully decorated wooden door in stone town

It was good arriving in Zanzibar after the adventures in Tanzania. The weather was perfect and we had a good time. We relaxed at the hotel, enjoyed the nice beaches, did some snorkeling, and got chased by a surprisingly fast turtle.

I enjoyed seeing the historical Stone Town with its winding lanes, circular towers, carved wooden doors, raised terraces and beautiful mosques. I hired a guide to show me around and tell the intriguing stories about brave sea traders, explorers, Sultans and slavery.

I have always had a strong interest in architecture and I was amazed to see how beautiful the doors in Stone Town are, with elaborately carved frames and panels, decorated with brass knobs and heavy locks.

The custom of putting brass knobs actually came from India, where the knobs were said to prevent elephants from crushing the doors. Since there has not been any violent elephants in Zanzibar the brass knobs were simply put there as a decoration.

The size of the door, and its decoration, were indicators of the family's wealt and status. Traditionally the doors were built first, then the building was built around it!

Finally I'll also mention that I visited Freddy Mercury's house. It would have been his birthday today.

SafariDFA 1979

Comments

Dear,

How a good look WebBlog Fred! Welcome to mine.

Good luck,

By LEFA., # 7. September 2007, 09:35:44

Hi Fred - hey, this is a really good blog - and great pics - thanks very much.

By flamingo rinse, # 8. September 2007, 07:55:33

Hey fred, uve got a brilliant blog n d pics r just amazing. Oh god, it must
be so cool travelling d whole world. u ever come to India? U wud love it here
considering ur love for architecture.

By anshika, # 10. September 2007, 14:38:43

Hi Fred

I (like so many people who have commented here) love the photos and your entries on your travels through Africa. I have never been to Zanzibar but I do have a friend who made the trip to Timbuktu

Keep well and enjoy the trip.

JCL :->

By JCL_75, # 10. September 2007, 18:46:30

à, blog đẹp đấy, good blog,my name minh, I'm student,DO you have friend? I'm speak english isnot good

By dohungminh, # 13. September 2007, 15:42:58

Do you speak vietnames?

By dohungminh, # 13. September 2007, 15:44:26

how is it that you get to travel so much? i am so jealous. where can i sign up?

By anna.yes, # 14. September 2007, 05:43:30

There's a secret form you need to fill in.

By fred, # 16. September 2007, 10:51:44

Hey Fred, while you are down there, would you check out the vyke quality

and if possible send me a message on Vyke PRO I'll be online so that it is free - hehe

Love the pics! Enjoy the vacation, probably needed.
We are lucky and have blue skyes here today. But snow is reported only a couple of hours away from Oslo. I'm still awaiting the summer that never came. Talk about local cooling.

By jakob, # 17. September 2007, 08:02:52

Another set of wonderful photos!

And some interesting facts about the architecture and the way to build the houses (I didn't know that before).
Education by blogging.

By ALLY_G, # 20. September 2007, 03:34:59

a secret form?!?! oh. i must get one

i am assuming you are well traveled (total understatement). so if i was going to go to europe this summer, where do you think i should go? any advice for me?

By anna.yes, # 20. September 2007, 04:01:31

Ally, Thanks. Always nice to be educating a bit..

By fred, # 20. September 2007, 21:12:10

Anna, It depends a bit what you like to see. Rome is a great city that has everything. It's beautiful, historic, romantic, good food, nice fashion/clothing, and it has the amazing Vatican churches. I'm sure you would like it there. But it can be very hot during july/august.

By fred, # 20. September 2007, 21:42:29

chẩng hiểu jì về tiếng anh hết , buồn wá di = I don't know, I'm vietnames

By dohungminh, # 21. September 2007, 14:48:07

i would love italy, but how far could i get with my pitiful language skills? fluent in english and spanish, but not much else, unless you count pig latin and let's face it...i'm not even that good at it either. i'm thinking of going in april / may so hopefully weather will be nice. i still need to find someone to travel around with me (as i am too scared to wander around on a strange continent alone) so if you have anyone who is looking for an adventure, tell them to look me up.

By anna.yes, # 2. October 2007, 08:15:37

The language should not be a problem, you'll be fine with english. Travelling in april / may sounds nice.
I'll keep my eyes open for adventurous people.