"'Haven Of Peace' - Dar Es Salaam" Dar es Salaam by Zanzibargirl

Dar Es Salaam or 'Haven of Peace' which this stands for was first a fishing village in the mid-19th century when the Sultan of Zanzibar turned its inland creek into a harbour port for trading.

"Dar" as it is affectionately known ws once the capital in 1891 under German Colonial authorities. But now it is the capital in everything but name, as Dodoma became the official capital in 1974.

Gateway to the game parks and the Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, Dar Es Salaam is a lovely city. However it has a humidity and fish smell that leaves something to be desired, especially after being wiped out cold with a stomach bug for a day.

It does have a rather awesome Icecreamery, some pretty cool shopping, important internet, and nearby we stayed a short ferry ride away on one of the coastal beaches (see pic) which was where the real haven of peace began - just outside the city... My smiles returned as my stomach subsided in these outskirt beaches and I relaxed by the pool and in a game of Water Volleyball.... now that is the life....

• Pros:The peace of the beaches outside the city
• Cons:Would have liked to see more of the city, even inspite the fish smells and mosquito's
• In a nutshell:A real haven of peace