Our Gambian Adventure: Weekending, 7th August 2010

On Sunday Paul and Dale went to La Parisienne to catch up on some e mails, myself and the children stayed at home. On the afternoon we went out for a monitor lizards hunt as this time last year we did see quite a few on our walks. After crossing the golf course to the pig sty’s and with no monitor lizard sighting we decided to cross over the road and head off over the fields. It was a very hot day and we were all sweating even though it was gone 4 o’clock in the afternoon. We ended up walking past Koto power station and on to a sand track through a village of very basic mud huts, hearing the occasional toubab toubab shouted at us on our way. We then crossed back over the road to Kotu stream, as we neared the bridge Paul saw something moving in the field so we went to investigate. It was a four foot long black snake we think a cobra it quickly slithered away into the vegetation. We headed back home via the beach stopping to see Adama for a quick chat.

On Monday Dale started working for Maurice from Safari Garden at his building firm. Dale is doing his Duke of Edinburgh award back in the UK so needs to put in some hours of charity work. Abigail and Bradley spent the day playing with Elsie who we had invited over for a couple of hours. They enjoyed drawing and making some craft hanging elephants. This seemed like a good idea until we had glitter everywhere, Bradley was still sparkling days after. Dale arrived home just after 4 o’clock very tired with blistered hands from digging holes I think we can safely say he has ruled out building work as a future job.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JACOB AND ISSAC FOR 4TH AUGUST

Jerreh Camp, Sittanunka

On Friday we were up early as we were visiting Jerreh camp at Sittanunka and plan to stay over and then onto Jinack Island for a night before returning home on Sunday afternoon. We decided to travel to Banjul by gelleh from Westfield. This proved to be a bad decision as the road side was very busy with locals waiting for transport and rushing for the first available gelleh. Eventually we managed to get on one of the local luxury coaches for a mere cost of 5 dalasi each no charge for children. We managed to push our way onto the coach and find some standing room. Bradley was helped by a Gambian who sat him on the edge of his seat whilst the rest of us stood precariously hanging onto handrails. If it had been in the UK this would not have been allowed as people were just about sitting on the driver and standing close to the doors which kept opening to let off passengers on route. The apprendi had to make his way down the aisle to collect fares some of which didn’t have the correct change so he had to remember who he owed money to. We arrived safely at the port and were just in time to catch the next ferry. When we arrived at the other side we made our way to the police station to await Fakaba who had rung to say he would be delayed in picking us up. Paul decided to get a couple of lamb tapalapas for Dale to try. Thirty minutes later Fakaba arrived, with us all in the jeep he set off only to then stop five minutes later to pick up a few bits from the market. We finally set off for Sittanunka passing through villages and fields growing crops of groundnuts and rice. After an hour of driving on a much better road than last year as they have filled in the holes with laterite we were at Jerreh camp and quickly unpacked. We were just in time for lunch a rich beef domada, rice, salad and a baobab dessert very much like a pear puree. The afternoon was spent taking a dip in the river and reading. Later on in the afternoon Aleu one of the young staff took us for a walk in the forest and to the peninsula opposite Dog Island. The route was a bit muddy Abigail managed to slip over ending up with mud on her dress and all the way up one of her legs. Unfortunately we didn’t see any wildlife on route. Just opposite Dog Island Farkaba’s brother is in the process of building a new resort. I took a look in one of the finished lodges they were very nice however I still think Jerreh camp is in a better location. We made our way back along the beach and mangroves to the resort. We ate a late dinner of breaded fish and rice before having an early night.

On The Road To Sittanunka & Jerreh Camp

Jerreh Camp Lodges

Bradley A Good Distance Out From Shore And Still Only Knee Deep

Dog Island

On Saturday we were woken early by the many birds singing outside our lodge. We sat for a while on the step watching them foraging for food Abigail was hoping to see a different bird to add to her list. We decided to take a dip in the river before breakfast it was lovely, the tide was in so much deeper than yesterday. Bradley was getting very brave jumping off the jetty into the water he loved it Abigail went off to wake Dale to get him to join us. The rest of the morning was spent relaxing on the jetty reading. Due to it being cleaning day we ate chicken yassa for lunch at the camp before Fakaba took us back to the ferry terminal.

Jinnack Island

At the terminal we made our way to the restaurant where we were to await our transport for Jinack Island. An hour later we were in another jeep heading towards Jinack. Once at the island we waded out to the awaiting boat which was to take us across the island. Paul managed to get a good price agreed for the crossing of only 15 dalasi mush better than our 50 dalasi fee last time. We then had a short walk to Coco Lodge this is situated in the village not on the beach where we stayed last time. We were shown our rooms this was when I wished we had stayed at Jerreh Camp another night. The rooms were very run down and in need of a good clean. We were supplied with a bucket of water for showering. As for the toilet it was a long drop and situated outside up a few steps and was pretty filthy. To top it off there was no generator as it was being used back at the restaurant so we would have no electricity. Paul and Dale were to sleep in one lodge with myself and the children next door. We quickly sorted out a few clothes and then went out to investigate where the drumming sound was coming from. We headed towards the village to an open area where we could see a group of villagers under a baobab tree with a group of drummers. There was a kafo of woman all dressed in the same clothes. The kafo then came forward to give the drummers 5 dalasi and then they started to dance to the drums. The children watching were quick to join in. We watched for a while enjoying the dancing and then made our way to a field where a football match was being held. Sanney was there the waiter who we met when we came last time to the island. We arrived back at Coco Lodge just before the time which we had asked for our dinner. We sat and waited an hour went by finally a lamp was placed on our table and another table was brought close to ours this was then laid with a couple of pans containing our chicken benichin. It was now 9 o’clock and we were all very hungry and tired it didn’t help that the lamp was attracting lots of flying insects one of which landed in Abigail’s food much to her horror. We ate quickly to avoid eating any extra protein (insects) the benichin was very tasty however we were just too tired to appreciate it, I took Abigail and Bradley off to bed. We were supplied with a candle which I left all night burning. The only good thing about the room was the mosquito net Abigail and Bradley were soon fast a sleep. Paul and Dale even had an early night as there is not a lot you can do when it is pitch black.

Road From Kenuma To Jinack Island

Jinack Island Crossing

Jinack Island Kafo Dancers

The night for me was spent candle watching as I just couldn’t get to sleep I was glad when I heard the call for prayer at 5 o’clock. We ate a mismatch of a breakfast of sardine’s an omelette and bananas in tapalapa the cook could only get two eggs on the island. After breakfast Paul took us for a walk which turned out to be longer than we expected. The guy who had brought us across the river in his boat had latched onto us so he ended up walking with us to show us the way. We walked in the sea and then headed back to Coco Lodge we were walking for about three hours in total our water had all gone so we were very hot, tired and thirsty when we arrived back. We had decided not to lunch at the resort and had booked the jeep to pick us up at 12 o’clock. The jeep arrived at 1 o’clock and although it was hired by us three other people from the island also jumped on for a lift. We had arranged to stop at Kenuma cultural centre to see Alpha so our passengers, there was now only two of them would have to wait. Paul took a few photos of a toilet for the school which had been funded by Oxford Brooks University so he could send them some photos. We eventually said our goodbye’s and continued onto the ferry terminal. We had a long wait as we had just missed a ferry. Once at Banjul we made our way to the gelleh station where with help from some locals we agreed a good deal for a taxi home. We arrived home just after 4 o’clock and in need of a shower.