Zanzibar, AFRICA
Airing Date: Dec 16th, 2002
Just a two-hour boat ride from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Zanzibar is renowned for it spices and is the birthplace of Queen front man, Freddie Mercury.
Take a walk through the maze of alleys of Stone Town, Zanzibar's capital, and you soon get the idea that not much has changed since the days of the Sultans.
While getting lost is all part of the fun - fear not, as all roads lead to the bazaar, an area where stalls piled with tropical fruit and rows and rows of spices line the streets.
In Stone Town there are literally dozens of craftsmen eager to bargain over a friendly game of bao, the African version of chess with rules which are very difficult to learn or understand.
Zanzibar's other exotic and famous export is its link to the tune 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. The actual house where Freddie Mercury from Queen was born has been transformed into a restaurant and they don't mind if you step inside and take a peep.
Half an hour from town you will find the spice plantations, which are still the lifeblood of Zanzibar.
You can visit a few of the plantations where you will get to see spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg growing.
While most spices are well known, there might be some authentic African spices you haven't heard of so be prepared to be a little adventurous. Take for example, the lipstick plant, this is used to give Tandoori its red colour and by the locals as lipstick.
Before leaving Zanzibar take time out and hitch a ride up the coast the old fashioned way - by dhow. A sail up the coast will land you at Nungwi, home to heaps of western style resorts and some of Zanzibar's best beaches.
At Nungwi just a few dollars will get you a cold drink, an exotic fruit salad and a massage right on the beach - what more could you want?
Come nightfall tourists and locals alike head for nightly seafood market where dozens of stalls sell fast food Zanzibar-style. Here a delicious Crab and Barbecue Prawn Salad topped with a in spicy sauce for cost you just $5.
The facts
South African Airways flies to Dar Es Salaam three times a week. Prices start from $3116 from the east coast and $2956 from Perth.
South African Airways
Tel: 1800 221 699 east coast
Tel: 1800 099 281 west coast
Four day, three night packages to Zanzibar with African Wildlife Safaris start from $3116 ex Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne per person twin share, or . The package includes accommodation at the Zanzibar Serena Inn, tours, breakfast and airport transfers.
African Wildlife Safaris
Tel: 1300 363 302
A visit to the spice plantations will cost around $10 per person.
