Snapshots of Africa

Persian Baths, Stonetown, Zanzibar

One of the places I wanted to visit in Stone Town was the Persian Hamams. I had heard about them and I was very keen on experiencing a good massage and a relaxing bath in the Hamams. So on the last day of my stay at Zanzibar, I did a small plantation tour and then decided to get back to Stonetown in time to enjoy the bath, watch more of the place and then get back to the Harbour on time for my Dar-e-salaam Boat.

But like most interesting trips nothing went as planned ….. I got jibbed at the plantation tour, there was no food offered and to top it all there was no one to take me to for the stone town tour. But I decided that I wouldn’t back out. I kept my luggage at the Slave Market (deciding to check that out on my way back) and walked towards the the old town where the Hamam was located.I had not taken a shower from the morning, expecting to have a good time at the Haman anyways. But like most of my plans that day …. Once I reached there I got to know that the Hamam was not currently functional, but a historical monument where I couldn’t even blow my nose …. Forget having a bath!
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Slave Market and the Cathedral of Christ – Stone Town, Zanzibar:

I was just about leaving Zanzibar and the earstwhile slave market was my last point in the city. I got jibbed, wasn’t able to have a proper meal and had to carry all my luggage to the place … so I wasn’t exactly in a very cheerful state of mind. But ten minutes at the slave market and I felt guilty for having complained about such minor things.

Slave market – Visiting the slave market and having seen the dark enclosure in which they were kept was truly a spiritual experience. Over 100 slaves were kept here for days together till a ship would come to pick them up. On the other side was a smaller room which was half the size for women and children. There was a narrow passage in between both the rooms and when men and women were taken to the ship, they would get a last glimse of each other - before being seperated forever.

The few minutes that I spent there will always remain in my memory and everytime I have problems in life I think about the place to remind myself that I still have a lot to thank for.


Cathedral of Christ – The Cathedral of Christ was built on the exact spot the sales would be sold. In fact the altar has a tile in red – to represent the blood that was spilt there. That exact spot used to have a whipping post. The slaves were whipped to showcase their strength and if they shrieked or shouted or cried, then their cost would come down.


After slavery was abolished this place became a silent reminder of the crimes commited by the colonists. And the church was built by an English priest with the help of the slaves who were finally given their freedom. Infact at the entrance of the cathedral one can see that the pillars were placesd upside down by the slaves as the priest who was supervising the construction had gone for a safari.
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Sitting on the fence!

This is yours truly sitting on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. The “T” on the milestone represents the country of Tanzania and it would be the Serengetti National Park and the “K” on the milestone is the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya.
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Humor at Kilimanjaro
I found trekking in the Himalayas to be quite a daunting affair if done for the whole day and for days at length. So when I decided to climb Kilimanjaro I promised myself that it would not become a chore and I would enjoy it completely. Having a sense of humor while climbing helps especially when the walks are long and the landscapes get predictable. I found some scribbled messages, one taunting the French for littering the place and the other teasing tired climbers.


The first board says – “don’t litter trails, keep all litter with you” below which some one has scribbled “and carry it out to France” The second board is in a place is over 12,000 feet where no one can reach out to help a tired climber. To tease the climber it has the line “Tired of walking Write to …..“
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African Landscape

This is one picture which will be etched in my mind for a long time. The African landscape with its brown and blue hues at twilight and the the one tree which looks like it has been sketched by a school child … the whole experience of being there all alone is surreal.
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