Fatala Game Reserve

Today we were up bright and early at 5 o’clock as we have organised a trip with African tours to a game reserve just over the border in Senegal. We walked to our pickup point which was at the office just near to the traffic lights. The coach was already there waiting for us and we had one more pickup to make at Atlantic Hotel in Banjul. Once everyone was picked up we headed to the Barra ferry terminal arriving just before the first ferry at 6.45. The truck which we would be using for the rest of our journey was already within the gates waiting to board. As the first ferry docked passengers, gelleh’s, trucks and cars started to board jostling for space. We were taken on as foot passengers and made our way upstairs to the seated area, unfortunately the tour truck didn’t make it on the first ferry. The crossing was very smooth, we even managed to see some dolphins which Abigail was pleased about. Once across we were taken to a restaurant were we sat and had a cup of coffee whilst we waited for the truck to cross. By 9 o’clock we were back into the truck and we set off for the thirty minute drive to the border. The border was very busy with people waiting to cross and locals trying to sell their goods including a group of girls with cashew nuts on platters which were balanced on their heads, we decided to buy some. We took the opportunity for a toilet stop having been told by the tour guide that they were modern, what a joke we opened the door to a ceramic shower base with a hole. With our passports stamped we thought we were back on our way only to have the truck pull over and the driver get out and start looking underneath. We were finally told that they had a fuel leak and were awaiting instructions from their boss at the office. Twenty minutes later we were told to continue onto the park where we would hire one of the game reserve vehicles to take us around the park instead of the African tour truck. We eventually arrived at the park entrance and walked through the gates and waited until they had sorted out our vehicle. Within the game reserve car park there were some zebras just roaming around and quite happy to stand and pose for a photo. With the vehicle ready we found a seat behind the driver, the tour guide and a game reserve guide accompanied us around the reserve to help with spotting the animals.

As we left the car park we entered some electric gates so as to keep the animals enclosed and headed into the savannah bush driving along narrow sandy tracks which criss crossed the reserve. Ten minutes into the drive we spotted some bush pigs and a group of bush buck deer hiding within the grassland. The guide took us down a different path, suddenly a giraffe came from no where running in front of the vehicle to join its mate on the other side of the track. They were beautiful and so well camouflaged against the trees and bush, very hard to spot. A short drive later we spotted an Eland which is the largest of the antelope family. The reserve has successfully bred them to stop them from becoming extinct.

We continued on taking another track spotting a small herd of buffalo and a saba antelope within the bush. Unluckily for us the vehicle had a flat tyre so needed changing. We were asked to get out and stay close to the vehicle especially with the buffalo so close as they are very temperamental. So with the buffalo on one side of the truck we got out the other and tried to find some shade from the sun. Paul as usual decided to wander off to get a better photo of the antelope. As the tyre was changed the herd of buffalo started to move off towards the road which we had just drove down and headed of into the bush.

With the tyre changed we climbed back in and the guide directed the driver through a dried up waterhole and to an area with very little bush. We watched a group of wart hogs running about with tails in the air or busy kneeling and poking around with their snout looking for food. We also got a good look at the herd of buffalo again as they wandered past.

As we continued on we were suddenly confronted with two Rhino’s laying under the shade of some trees. As the truck pulled up one of them got up and started to come closer. The game reserve guide emptied a bucket of dried food onto the ground and they both came close to the truck and started eating. A couple of warthogs fancying there chances at getting some food were quickly darting about under their legs. We set off back to the reserve gates seeing a group of monkey’s on route. As we entered the car park area we climbed out of the truck to look at a couple of young Hyena’s which were in a caged area. We then made our way to a seated area where we were given our lunch which consisted of tuna, egg or prawn tapalapa sandwich.

Culture Centre

We left the park to head back towards Barra stopping off on route at a compound where we were shown around. The compound consisted of three small circular mud huts of which the floor was just the hard compacted sand. Within each hut there was a bed and wardrobe which was simply a piece of rope hung from one wall to another. They had a hut for their goats and their food was cooked outside on an open fire within the compound. After giving a small donation we left for the next village where we stopped at a cultural centre the very one where Alpha (Jinack Island) works. With a warm greeting from him and the rest of his friends our group were shown to a seated area. We were given a performance of African dance and music by the local villagers. The women first took centre stage stomping their feat and flinging their arms about to the beat of the drums. Then out came a couple of the kankarang dancers which are used for ceremonies the first one was covered in leaves and was wearing a mask with horns. The next one was in a red straw like costume with mask. They danced around the ring and a couple of our party were asked to dance including me and Paul. As this was going on the local children who were surrounding the area would occasionally rush into the centre and start dancing then they would rush out again. The day was drawing to a close as we left the centre saying goodbye to Alpha and making our way to the ferry terminal. We arrived back home just before 7 o’clock all very tired and dusty from our eventful day.

Jenny & Mike's Visit

This week has been very busy and enjoyable as Paul’s mum Jenny and step dad Mike arrived on Tuesday. They are staying at Bakotu Hotel which is close to the beach and only a twenty minute walk from our home. On Tuesday afternoon Paul took the children to meet up with Jenny whilst I prepared dinner. When they arrived back home Jenny had brought a goody bag consisting of items which we had asked her to bring out for us.

On Wednesday morning Paul was off so he took Mike and Jenny around Kotu stream and the golf course looking at the birdlife. They then called at Diana Mariam to take a look around the school where I have been working, they thought it very impressive. Once I had finished work we made our way to the hotel with the intention of spending the afternoon at the pool. Jenny and Mike were already at the pool side when we arrived so we quickly found some sun beds and then cooled off in the pool. The pool area was lovely although not adapted for young children as there is no shallow area. Abigail and Bradley were soon enjoying jumping in and Bradley is now managing to swim a few strokes without armbands. Jenny made enquires if we would be able to use the pool during our stay in The Gambia and were given the thumbs up much to Abigail and Bradley’s delight. The hotel is lovely and consists of lots of little huts built in a garden area with lots of little paths connecting them to the main reception, bar and poolside area. Even the rooms were a decent size with large double bed and shower bathroom area. Whilst at the pool we had a visit from a group of monkeys looking for food. Our relaxing afternoon changed when Jenny suddenly slipped at the poolside falling onto her arm and wrist whilst taking Abigail to the toilet. We quickly got some ice and a towel from one of the bar staff and wrapped this around her wrist hopefully to help with the swelling. When Paul joined us from work Jenny was still in a lot of pain and sure it was broken. Paul had a quick dip in the pool before we went home to change. We decided due to the circumstances to meet back at the hotel to eat out. We ate at a restaurant close to the hotel which specialises in Gambian dishes. It was a very windy night and quite chilly or maybe it was because we were so close to the beach.

On Thursday the plan was for Jenny to pick up the children from school and take them to the pool where Paul planned to meet up with them after work. I would be staying at home preparing a dinner of beef domada. After work I called at the market for veg and was making my way to the bakers when I bumped in to Mike and Jenny. Apparently Jenny had had her wrist x-rayed and it was broken so Mike was going to plaster it up until they got back to the UK. Whilst Mike plastered Jenny’s wrist I picked up Abigail and Bradley from school. They then all went back to the hotel for a dip in the pool at least Mike and the children were able to, Jenny will have to miss out due to her pot.

On Friday I had managed to finish work an hour earlier than usual so was able to cook a chicken for dinner, pick up the children and be at the pool for 2
o’clock.

Bakotu Hotel

Oh I do feel ill never again as the saying goes. This afternoon I spent some time trying to get the orange food colouring out of Abigail and Bradley’s hair having to resort to using lemon juice. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked so Bradley looks as if he has strawberry blonde hair luckily Abigail only has a few streaks.