Tanzania

Zanzibar, Tanzania.12 and13 Feb. We went on a tour today round the city. We had to go by tender to the shore as we were anchored offshore. It was 90deg in the shade and the Captain said it would be over 100deg in full sun, it really felt like it. It was uncomfortably hot walking around but thankfully there was some shade up the narrow streets. It is a predominantly Muslim country so 'cover arms and cover knees ' i.e. wear long sleeves and trousers, hot hot. It was very interesting, very narrow streets, some dirty, but we decided not to go into the fish or the meat market which pong terrifically. I got some vanilla pods and some saffron in threads so it should be O.K. It was strange to be in an Arab countryagain. Shades of Aden. I was fascinated by the Arab Dows Chris, they were belting along and the sails were at various angles some nearly horizontal sketched some, I think they are lovely, can't we have one? I can imagine your horrified face Chris !!!We went into a shop selling carvings bracelets, necklaces, clothing, it was great and they had air conditioning glory be. There are some beautiful doors in the little streets, very ornate; I would like to have sketched some of them. We went into a place where the slaves used to be held, terrible, dark, low ceilings stone benches, ugh. We also went to the Cathedral which has been built where the centre of the slave market was.There is a marked circle where the whipping post was. Apparently 'they' used to whip the slaves and the ones who held out longest without screaming fetched the most money. The screamers sold cheaply .What an awful way to find out the strongest. Could not send this, so I will add to it:

Sunday, we are in Dar Es Salam, still Tanzania. We have come here because the cyclone messed up our itinerary and Saga had to find new places for us to go. I enjoyed the tour here more because the coach was air conditioned and we went to a craft market out of town so it was a nice drive to see different types of living accommodation bought --very cheaply ,a Tinga Tinga painting peculiar to this area . A stylised Massai type family. It is very similar here to Zanzibar which is not surprising as it is only a short sail up the coast. Tomorrow, we shall be in Tanga, also in Tanzania so I guess it will be the same. Byeeeeee XXXXX