We visit Unguja, the main island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, now referred to as the Revolutionary Republic of Zanzibar, or, informally, Zanzibar and formerly The Spice Islands. The name Zanzibar is derived from the Persian "zangi-bar" meaning coast of the blacks but the island feels very Arabian and is very Muslim - this was the land of sultans and Sinbad. The capital, Zanzibar City, is referred to as "Stone Town" and its 200-year old architecture and narrow streets feel very foreign to us. Our stay is at a resort 50 kilometers from the city and it feels very foreign to us as well. The warm blue waters of the ocean and endless white sand beaches are inviting but we are out of place as tourists; both our fellow travelers and the locals are decidedly less friendly than the people of Ukerewe and these two islands seem worlds apart despite being part of the same country.
Sounds like a very beautiful and exotic(?)but maybe a little uncomfortable. Thnks for the interesting history.
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