Watercolors&Soft Pastels from Zanzibar

Paintings watercolors and acrylics to be found in abundance on these African islands:The spice islands of Zanzibar refer to an archipelago of fifty or so islands with Unquia and Pemba being the largest. The watercolors from this tropical island are featured above.

Stone Town is the capital,the port and entrance to the spiced islands. Entering this small port by ferry from Dar es Salaam is certainly an unforgettable experience,never failing to make the most worn-out traveler eager to explore this ancient port.

As you step onto the wharf the smell of cloves is carried on the breeze to greet you;immediately you are aware Stone Town is out of the ordinary. The artistry of the island is immediately apparent as Arab dhows 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 conducive to artistry and is almost of medieval times,veiled women,their hands and feet hennaed with elaborate patterns,haggle in the markets and galleries which cluster the peripheries of the town.

Take time exploring the interweaving narrow streets,taking care not to become disorientated,passing intricately-carved wooden doors heavy with brass studs and beneath ornate balconies. Allow the imagination to transport you back in time to the dark days of the lucrative slave trade and spice industry. Visit the immense House of Wonders and then the heartrending ruins of the Old Slave Market which is dominated by the old church of Christ Anglican Cathedral,its altar on the site of the old whipping block.

Spice tours are a specialty of Zanzibar and best taken from Stone Town. On the Spice tour you will learn about fifty different spices and fruit that grow on the island,from cinnamon,nutmeg,vanilla,cloves,to jackfruit and sugarcane. The spices together with the Indian and Arabic influences have produced a unique 'Swahili' cuisine.

Zanzibar is a seafood lover's paradise. The freshest catch from game fish to giant lobster and crayfish are on offer. Dinner at the nightly fish market in the Forodhani Gardens on Stone Town's waterfront where a collection of stalls serve up freshly cooked seafood is not to be missed. It is a giant seafood barbeque where you can eat out in the open and mix and chat with the locals.

It is not just beaches,crystal clear seas and food –Zanzibar is home to many Artists who have been influenced by their rich history. The Old Fort along the waterfront is the home to many artists,including the fabulous Saidi Ray. If you enjoy African art this is a best place to buy your paintings and carvings. At the fort you buy your art direct from the artist and thereby supporting the artist to continue working.

The last trip to the Old Fort I bought a pair of leather sandals for a work colleague. When I got home and unpacked them I could smell the leather and the smoky spicy smell of the workshop in the Old Fort - memories came flooding back. Buying from a place like the old fort in Stone Town you are supporting the artists directly,learning about the art and taking home not just a piece of art but an experience.

The people of Zanzibar are warm hospitable people. Enjoy the Spice Islands and remember to venture out of your resort/hotel to do some exploring and make the most of your time on these exotic spiced islands.