Stone Town, Zanzibar, is where history, culture, and food come together to create an unforgettable experience. Unlike anywhere else I’ve been on this trip, Stone Town feels like a true crossroads of cultures and histories. While Durban has its own claim as a melting pot, Stone Town is a different blend entirely – its an actual melting post people, genetics and culture.

We spent the day wandering around, initially surprised by the sheer number of tourists. Over the past few months, I’d seen travellers here and there, but never in such large numbers. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but once I looked past the crowds, what really caught my attention were the faces of the locals.

Traders, shop assistants, and taxi drivers all reflected the rich and diverse history of Zanzibar. It was fascinating to see, and the more I observed, the more I realised that this was truly an island with its own unique identity, distinct from the mainland. That sense of distinctiveness was almost lost, however, in the vibrant chaos of Darajani Market. It was an absolute sensory overload in the best way possible-like walking through an Instagram feed that came life and was on steroids; filled with vibrant colours, diverse goods, and a lively atmosphere. it’s so much more than just a place to shop, it’s a gathering spot for locals and a great way to immerse yourself in the daily life of Zanzibar. Every turn revealed new vendors and treasures-more spices, more handcrafted items and above all more new combeinations of facial features. While we didn’t buy anything that wasn’t edible, I found myself wishing I’d put my bus-ride bargaining skills to good use. Who knows what deals I might have snagged!- likely something too big for my backpack.

After a bustling morning, the pace slowed. A friend from school, who’d been following my journey across Africa, suggested I meet a friend of theirs living in Stone Town. Having a local guide made all the difference. She helped us navigate through the overwhelming choices, pointing out what was truly authentic and what was more geared toward tourists. Stone Town has something for everyone, but thanks to her, we discovered the parts that are uniquely its own. In hindsight, we might have stayed longer, but after the tranquility of our recent destinations, the city’s vibrant energy felt a bit much. Plus, there was the tantalising possibility of a boat leaving for the Comoros Islands in the morning-a new adventure on the horizon. But in this part of the world, you have to get the details face-to-face. Real information isn’t just listed online; it’s shared in conversation.

With that in mind, we decided to make the most of our night in Stone Town.

We were drawn to the sunset, watching the sky slowly shift from orange to pink to blue. It was breathtaking-each sunset here seems to offer something new. What made this one special was the sight of local divers putting on a show. At first, I thought it was a tourist gimmick, but then I realised they were doing it purely for fun. Silhouetted against the setting sun, they leaped into the air, creating graceful shapes before splashing into the sea. It was fantastic-a perfect, spontaneous end to a day of exploring.

By the time dinner rolled around, our appetites had caught up with us, and we dove into a variety of dishes at the night market-grilled octopus, duck kebabs (Bata Mishkaki), and the ever-popular Zanzibari pizza, all washed down with refreshing sugarcane juice. It felt like dining in an all-inclusive resort, but with a distinctly African Zanzibari flavour.

_{Sidenote: If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this trip, it’s to never generalise Africa as a single entity. The continent is far too vast and diverse for that. The Zulu people of South Africa share little in common with the Bushmen of Botswana, who are quite different again from the Maasai of Kenya. Grouping them all together would be like saying someone from Stockholm is the same as someone from Athens or Porto-it’s just wrong. This realization has only deepened since I left Cape Town months ago.}

After dinner, we found ourselves in a bit of a dilemma-everyone was exhausted. It’s funny how quickly your body adjusts to the rhythm of the sun. Back home, I might still be on a call at 8 PM, oblivious to the world outside. But here, and for the past few months, when the sun sets, our day usually winds down. This is mainly because there is just no light pollution here. NONE.
The tourists, however, seemed determined to party on under the artificial lights, but we chose to skip the rooftop scene. We had an early start ahead at the docks the next morning, and a new adventure awaited.