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.

Spiritual Prayer And Meeting Mosque Across The Border In Senegal

Marijuana Field

Weekending 31st July 2010

On Sunday we decided to go for a walk hoping if the tide was out to walk to Bakau to watch the boats come in. We walked to Leybato’s to see if we could get along the beach unfortunately it was high tide so we headed to Kotu point instead. We had a pleasant walk until we arrived at the outlet of Kotu stream. The outlet to the stream was very high, we made our way to an area which we thought would be shallow only to have a local say it was very deep there and we would be better crossing closer to the sea edge. Paul went first taking off his shorts and carrying Bradley on his shoulders. The water was passed his thighs so we were all going to get very wet. We waded through ending up with wet shorts and knickers in the process. We carried onto Palma Rima by this time we were starting to feel a bit dryer. At Palma Rima there were some men busy building a stage and erecting lights and speakers it looked as if there was going to be some sort of open air concert on. We made our way back home along the cycle track towards Kotu bridge from there we crossed over the fields to the road spotting a few birds on route. We were back home after midday having had a good morning walking and very tired. The rest off the afternoon was spent relaxing at home.

On Monday Paul went off to work early the college is now only running summer school classes so half of the teachers are up at Janjanbureh. Paul will only be working Monday to Wednesday with the occasional Thursday thrown in which is ideal whilst Dale is here. As for the rest of us we went shopping on the morning then on the afternoon we went for a walk on the beach. We walked first to Leybato’s and then along to Fajara craft market. Bradley was complaining about being tired so we sat under the banta bar for a while. Adama came over for a quick chat and I introduced him to Dale.

Bakau Fish Market

Late on Tuesday afternoon we decided to go for a walk to Bakau via the beach. The tide was out at Leybato’s so it would be easy going along the beach. We soon arrived at the very smelly fish market with the hustle and bustle of locals selling the recently caught fish from tables. I did try to do a deal for some lady fish but was unable to get a good enough price so gave up. A couple of boats had just pulled up to shore and the locals were wading out to get the fish with buckets on their heads.

On Wednesday Dale took the children off to Safari Garden to spend the afternoon in the pool. Bradley wanted to show off his swimming skills to Dale. He is much more confident and is now swimming through our legs underwater and able to swim a length of the pool. I followed shortly behind after I had prepared dinner for the evening. Paul even managed to get a quick dip in the pool as he arrived home just after 3 o’clock.

Arch 22

On Thursday we called at the VSO office and then made our way to Bakau to pick up a gelleh into Banjul. We had to go to the immigration office as I needed to get a new bio metric resident permit. We were in Banjul just after 11 o’clock managing to miss the morning traffic. We quickly found our way to the immigration office as Paul had had to get his permit done last month. We were sent upstairs to a small office where my paperwork which Ebrima had submitted was found then we had to go back downstairs. After a quick thumb print and photo we were told it would be ready to pick up tomorrow in total it took us just over an hour. When we came out we made our way to the market area whilst there we bought a meat pie from one of the stalls. It was filled with what the Gambians call corned beef however we know it as luncheon meat and onions this is then deep fried, it proved to be very tasty. From here we made our way along independence drive to Arch 22. The Arch was built to commemorate the coup in 1994 when president Yahya Jammeh came into power. Only the president is allowed to drive through the Arch other vehicles have to take a detour route around the arch to get onto Independance Drive. Once at the Arch we took the lift to the top after paying the extortionate 60 dalasi entrance fee. At the top there was a small shop, art gallery and museum. On display there were various costumes and juju’s, these are used to keep evil spirits away and are a big part of the Gambian culture. The roof top gave us an excellent view over the city as no other buildings are as tall and we welcomed the slight breeze. From the roof top we made our way to the terrace or half way point and then walked down the rest of the spiral staircase. Once outside in the bright sunlight we decided to make for home as we were very hot. We quickly found the gelleh station and were on our way home.

Arch 22

Independance Drive & Banjul Capitol City

View to Cape Point Bakau

Sanyang

On Friday we were up early to make our second attempt to go to Sanyang for a couple of days. We took a gelleh to Westfield and from there onto Brikama. Once at Brikama we were quickly shown to a gelleh leaving for Sanyang by now it hard started to rain. It took us about two hours travelling in total. Once in our room we sat on the porch whilst watching a heavy downpour of rain. We watched as the staff ran backwards and forwards filling the water tank with the collected rain water which is used for the showers etc, they were very wet by the time they were finished. By 2 o’clock the rain had all but stopped so we went for a walk along the beach and then managed to get a couple of hours sunbathing in before showering for dinner.

Saturday was a glorious day after the wet and rainy day yesterday. We spent the day on the beach sunbathing, reading and taking the regular dip in the sea to cool off. At midday we noticed a group of children and adults coming along the beach with a white lady as she got closer we realised it was Ann from the college. She is going back home to Canada on Thursday after having spent five years in the Gambia and this was her goodbye treat to some of the local children. By 3 o’clock we decided to make a move for home we showered and changed then quickly went along to see Ann at the next beach bar. We decided to take the coastal route so made our way back to Sanyang gelleh station luckily there was a gelleh just about to leave. This turned out to be a good decision as we only required two gelleh rides and in total it took about an hours travelling.

Elephant Pants