Zanzibar, Tanzanian 桑给巴尔
April 2, 2025
After an overnight sail, we anchored off the coast of Zanzibar, a Tanzanian island steeped in history. Once a major hub for the spice and slave trades, Zanzibar today is known for its cultural richness and stunning architecture. At its heart lies Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fascinating melting pot of Arab, Persian, Indian, African, and European influences.
Our first stop of the ship-organized tour was the Anglican Cathedral, built atop what was once the largest slave market in East Africa. After the abolition of slavery, the cathedral was erected here as a symbol of redemption. Walking through the underground slave chambers, where countless lives were once held in captivity, was a deeply disturbing and emotional experience—a sobering reminder of a dark chapter in human history.
Next, we strolled through the narrow alleys of Stone Town, marveling at the intricate carved wooden doors, most of which reflected strong Indian design influences. Unfortunately, two of Stone Town’s most iconic historical buildings—the House of Wonders and the Sultan’s Palace—were closed for renovation.
As we continued, we visited the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), the oldest building in Stone Town, constructed by the Omani Arabs in the 17th century. Over time, it served as a fortress, prison, and later, an amphitheater. Today, its inner courtyard houses local artisans selling crafts and souvenirs.
We ended the walk at Forodhani Gardens, a popular seaside promenade. Then we enjoyed a brief rest and refreshments at the elegant Zanzibar Serena Hotel, soaking in the ambiance of the waterfront.
On the way back to the cruise terminal, we made a short stop at Darajani Market, a vibrant local market bustling with vendors selling everything from fresh produce and spices to fish and household goods. It was a fitting end to a culturally rich and reflective half-day tour through the historic heart of Zanzibar.
Connie was too tired to go out for dinner, so Chenggang ordered room service. Our butler handled everything, from placing the order to setting up the table. The food was delicious. After dinner, there was another white party, but as usual, we simply watched as observers.
桑给巴尔石头城徒步游
2025年4月2日
在夜间航行一夜之后，我们的邮轮在桑给巴尔(Zanzibar)岛外海抛锚。这座坦桑尼亚的海岛拥有悠久的历史，曾是香料和奴隶贸易的重要枢纽。其中最具代表性的是石头城（Stone Town），一处被联合国教科文组织列为世界文化遗产的历史城区，融合了阿拉伯、波斯、印度、非洲和欧洲多种文化元素。
我们的第一站是圣公会大教堂与原奴隶市场遗址。这座教堂正是建立在曾经东非最大的奴隶市场旧址之上。奴隶制被废除后，这座教堂作为“救赎”的象征而建。在地底下参观那些曾经关押奴隶的地牢，让人心情沉重、震撼不已，是对人类历史上一段黑暗时期的警醒与反思。
随后，我们穿行在石头城曲折狭窄的小巷中，欣赏两侧精美的雕花木门，其中大多展现出浓厚的印度风格。令人遗憾的是，石头城两座最具代表性的历史建筑——奇迹之屋（House of Wonders）与苏丹王宫正处于整修期间，无法入内参观。
继续前行，我们参观了古堡（Ngome Kongwe），这是石头城最古老的建筑，由阿曼阿拉伯人于17世纪所建。它曾作为防御工事、监狱，后来还被用作露天剧场。如今，其内部庭院里有不少当地手工艺人设摊售卖工艺品与纪念品。
我们最后来到了福罗达尼花园（Forodhani Gardens），这是一处临海的热门休闲广场。随后，我们在漂亮的桑给巴尔塞丽娜酒店（Zanzibar Serena Hotel）稍作休息，享用茶点，感受海风拂面的惬意时光。
返回邮轮码头途中，我们在达拉贾尼市场（Darajani Market）短暂停留。这个充满活力的本地市场人声鼎沸，摊位上琳琅满目的商品从新鲜蔬果、香料到海鲜、日用品应有尽有。半天的组团游算是完成了今天的桑给巴尔到此一游。