Our Gambian Adventure: 1st January 2011

Goree Island, Dakar

On Sunday we were up early and in a taxi for 7 o’clock to take us to Mbour to get a set plase to take us the hour and a half journey into Dakar. We arrived in Dakar just after 9 o’clock being a Sunday the traffic wasn’t as bad as on week days. We then had quite a walk to the centre to then get our bearings to see where the port was as we were going to take the ferry to Goree Island which is just a short thirty minute trip from the mainland. Once on the island we started to explore, there are no tarmac roads so no cars only narrow cobblestone alleyways. The buildings are very colonial in structure with little wrought iron balconies set in little courtyards. Although idilic the ancient buildings bear witness to the island’s role in the Atlantic slave trade. We walked along cobblestone pathways passing paintings and sculptures on display by local artists. Then we walked up a slight rise to the top of the island where we had an excellent view across the sea to the city of Dakar. Here there were the remains of a fortification and huge WW11 guns which had played a part in the sinking of a British warship in the bay of Dakar. As we were walking back down the cobblestones there was a huge pelican which we managed to get close enough to get a good picture of. We walked back to the bay and the French fortification and stopped for a drink in one of the many beachside restaurants.

Once back at Dakar we looked for somewhere to stay for the night eventually finding a decent hotel in the centre. After a quick unpack we set out again to get a short bus ride to Magic Land which is an amusement park. We had decided to take the children to a circus which we had seen advertised. We managed to get quite a good seat and waited it was due to start at 5 o’clock however finally started an hour late. The ring master came onto the stage and introduced the first act which was a man and women trapeze act. We then had a very good magician which was the ring master himself. Next was the turn of the acrobats and then the clowns came on which the children loved. There was a brief interval before the second half of the performance, most of the performers where doing a couple of acts. We all enjoyed the show even if it was in French finally it came to a close just before 8 o’clock. On our way back to the hotel we stopped at a fast food restaurant for burger and chips as we hadn’t eaten since midday.

Dakar City

On the Monday morning we ate breakfast at one of the patisserie restaurants before setting off to explore some the city. The city was all hustle and bustle as the shops were opened much different to the quiet and calm off yesterday. We had to dodge our way around the many pavement stalls which were selling clothes, bags and shoes as well as ladies who were sat cooking breakfast. First we made our way towards Ave Leopold Senghor which is where the Palais Presidentiel is situated. It was built in 1907 for the governor of that time. It was a very large and impressive building surrounded by gardens. At the gate there were guards dressed in colonial style uniforms unfortunately no photos were aloud. We then looked inside a cathedral and an art gallery before jumping on a local bus to head out of town to the lighthouse. The bus was an experience very few seats just standing room and the conductor was sat within a cage collecting money. The conductor notified us when it was our stop to get off. We then had a walk through a housing estate to the lighthouse which was on a small hill. Once there a security guard took us up to the top of the lighthouse. From here we had a good view of Ngor with its small island in its bay as well as Dakar airport and the surrounding city. On a hill opposite was the recently built statue. For our return journey we jumped onto one of the white senbuses a bit like a large gelleh. Once back in the city we decided to have a late lunch at one of the patiserrie fast food restaurants and then made our way to the set plase garage to get our transport back to Saly.