Last night at Brenu Beach was quite magical. We had the tent flaps rolled back and palm trees framed the mighty crashing waves on the long sandy beach. Up above the sky was clear and the stars shone brightly. Dawn brought another beautiful sunrise and Christi is feeling much better. So far so good. Today is a long driving day, almost due north from the coast to Lake Bosomtwe, near the second city of Ghana, Kumasi. The drive will give everyone an opportunity to talk and exchange life stories. It’s too early for problems, but not for identifying where those problems might arise in the future! Today is also the first official cook group so we stop in New Elmina market for supplies. While the cook group shops, Christi and I poke around and photograph market life.
Life aboard the truck is easy as all you have to do is stare out the window and enjoy the scenery. There is no toilet aboard the bus, though, so when you want to pee you have to speak up. We stop for lunch at any random spot we choose and tables and chairs are quickly unloaded, while others prepare lunch (salad and sandwiches). There is also no air-conditioning so all the windows are open, unless the road is dirt and then the windows have to be closed and we basically sweat. Also if the sun is beating down on your side of the truck then you get doubly uncomfortable. Ah life on the road!
So a quick word about my tour companions, whose names I have changed so they won’t sue me!
Aphrodite – an occupational therapist from Bristol. Just completed Cape Town to Cairo trip with Dragoman then immediately flew to Cameroon to travel through West Africa. Aphrodite may be having a fling with one of the Dragoman crew, Adonis.
Adonis’ co-driver is Peewee Herman.
Laurel and Hardy – both married, both retired and both living in France; and both English.
Margaret and Dennis Thatcher – Dennis is actually the eccentric scientist type, recently retired. Margaret is his domineering wife. They are both avid independent travelers and country collectors. They already find life aboard the Dragoman truck rather restrictive (ones to watch, me thinks)
Sheldon Cooper (of Big Bang Theory fame – come on keep up!) – quirky, brilliant Dutch guy. Also a country collector. In love with a Hong Kong girl and calls her constantly. And I mean constantly.
Thelma and Louise – Australian teachers; older women who are getting out there, exploring the world, and looking for trouble. Thank goodness we’re nowhere near the Grand Canyon!
Hu-man – Quiet girl from Hong Kong; a banker. Maybe on the run after a financial scandal.
Agatha Christie – retired teacher from London who has completed many grueling Dragoman trips. Preeminent scandal detective.
Joan Rivers: bawdy, boisterous Brit with a heart of gold. Another like Christi and I who is on sabbatical from the real world. Traveled extensively with Dragoman.
Doogie Howser – retired Operating Room head nurse from New Zealand; flinty personality. Also recently completed the Dragoman Cape Town to Cairo trip, then flew to Cameroon to join the tour of West Africa.
(Note the complete Dragoman tour of West Africa comprises three 5-week sections. The first being between Cameroon, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. This second leg will go through Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal. The third leg through Mauritania and Morocco was unfortunately cancelled).
Buddha – a busman’s holiday for this guy as he is a professional tour guide focusing on Eastern Europe.
Sinead O’Connor – Irish accountant; surprisingly serious
John Malkovich – A freelance accountant from London looking for work in West Africa. Obviously a cover for some nefarious activities. Another to watch.
The invisible man – I’m sure he was on the trip when we started.
The grounds of the Lake Point Guest House roll pleasantly down to Lake Bosomtwe. And it is here by the water’s edge that we pitch our tents. Christi is much relieved that although it is very hot still, it is now a dry heat. We have escaped the humidity of the coast. As the evening winds down I notice a perfectly preened Aphrodite heading for the tent of Adonis…
Blog post by Roderick Phillips, author of Weary Heart – a gut-wrenching tale of broken hearts and broken test tubes.
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