Zanzibar

[Will]

I've been to Zanzibar twice now, just on long holidays, and I have to say it is one of the finest destinations I've ever been to! Beautiful coral white sands on the East coast, amazing reefs and wildlife. Rasta style bars build right on the the beach, and plenty to smoke (if you know what I mean).

http://www.kontrei.co.za/tourpics/zanzibar.jpg

They also have an awesome festival called the Sauti za Busara music festival, which is sold as the most friendly festival in the world. I was lucky enough to be there for the festival which they held in Zanzibar's only main town in an old Arabic fort, which is Stonetown. This year I think they are planning on moving the festival to a beach on the West coast for part of it, so you can watch the sun set while listening to the music, which sounds awsome.

http://www.busaramusic.org/

http://www.busaramusic.org/images/pictures/audience-by-Issa-Michuzi.jpg

Stonetown is also an amazing place on its own merits, it has a real mixture of African, Arabic, and European influences. Just walking through their many narrow streets is a real adventure. It can get a little touristy in Stonetown though, lots of peddlers, but that's about it's only fault. Oh, you also have to check out the fish market there as well, fantastic fresh fish every day, I wouldn't recommend the lobster though, maybe I just had a not-so-fresh one. :)

I'll have to dig out some picture to show you how amazing this place is.

[Will]

Oh PS, Zanzibar is a little Island of the Tanzanian coast, although it's practically independent of Tanzania now. I think their local government want to built a load of hotels along the East coast, so now is a good time to go before it's ruined. If you want to find a cheap way to get there, ask me first as booking companies will find you really expensive routes.