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Activities in the Caribbean for the Adventurous Traveler
What's you're idea of the perfect tropical vacation? Soaking up
some sun on a quiet secluded beach? Reading a good novel while
the sounds of gentle waves lull you to sleep? Not! If this
sounds like a waste of vacation time to you, and you want...
Bald Eagles Arrive in Squamish BC
Once again our planet’s largest gatherings of Bald Eagles in underway in Squamish British Columbia, just North of Vancouver BC, and just 50 km south of the world class Whistler Ski Resort. Based on population estimates, up to 5% of the world’s...
Sydney to Brisbane -- make time to stop and smell the roses.
There are a great many road trips people embark on in Australia that look quite breezy on a map, but turn out to be many, many hours.
Sydney to Brisbane is one of those kinds of excursions. Instead of trying to do the whole stretch in one go...
Tourist Attractions in Sweden - A Personal Top-10
Ask Sweden fans what's their favourite spot in Sweden and most will say there are too many to mention. On one thing they will agree: besides the beautiful capital Stockholm, the country’s main attraction is its landscape. But there's more. Sweden...
Why an Algarve Vacation?
If a vacation, as defined by a dictionary is: 'leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure', then one taken in Algarve must be the epitome of that term.
The southern-most region of Portugal, Algarve is a holiday-maker's dream....
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Zanzibar Potted
The two main Islands of Zanzibar, Unguja and Pemba, lay 40km off
the mainland of Tanzania and are separated from the mainland of
Tanzania by a shallow channel. Both these islands were once
joined to the African mainland.
These islands were first settled by Africans, then came the
Shirazis fleeing from Persia and then came the Omani Arabs. This
crates an electric mix of cultures that make these islands so
popular, so exotic; and occasional so troublesome even to the
present day. The islanders have had to struggle for their
independence. The Portuguese lay claim to the islands for over
two hundred years then it became a British Colony and only as
recently as 1964 did the island realize true democracy.
The Zanzibar Islands were joined with Tanganyika to form
Tanzania. Zanzibar feels it is still fighting for independence
and every five years after the elections there is trouble. Many
Zanzibarian's - in a way are still fighting for independence
from the mainland.
The island of Ungunja has the main port to the Islands, the port
at Zanzibar Town [or sometimes called Stone Town]. It is this
island that most people including most Tanzanian's call
Zanzibar; although more accurately it is the whole archipelago
that is Zanzibar.
The archipelago is a scattering of about fifty islands. They sit
in calm, translucent waters. Low-lying and palm fringed the
undulating hills are picturesque with none rising higher than
200 meters above sea level. There is
some of the finest fishing
and diving in the world on these islands. Mangrove's and
spectacular coral reefs thrive around the islands and guard many
of the beaches from erosion and help protect the fish breeding
grounds. Here diving or snorkeling with dolphins is common with
sea turtles found on the Northern tip of Unguja - whilst blue
marlin and sail fish are perused by the big-game fishers.
Arriving in the main port and as you step onto the wharf the
smell of cloves is carried on the breeze to greet you;
immediately you are aware Zanzibar Town is out of the ordinary.
Arab dhows with white-sails shaped like the crescent moon, sail
gently out of the harbor and pass along the miles of palm
fringed beaches. Stone Town transports you into the past. The
whole atmosphere is of medieval times, veiled women, their hands
and feet hennaed with elaborate patterns, haggle in the markets
and small shops which cluster the peripheries of the town.
The warm crystal waters and tranquil lagoons are tropical fish
tanks - with the brightly colored inhabitants swimming in their
underwater coral gardens - these spiced islands offer some of
the best diving and beaches on which to relax in the world.
About the author:
For more information on the Zanzibar Islands see
http://www.betheladventure.co.uk fair trade tourism uses tourism
to change lives and benefit the community. Bethel Adventures is
committed to the education of our community using tourism to
build schools.
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