The Gambia is the smallest country in continental Africa and is completely surrounded by Senegal, except for where the Gambia River empties into the Atlantic ocean. The Gambia is literally a narrow strip of land either side of the Gambia River, stretching from the ocean 100 miles inland. This country owes its existence to the slave trade and the colonial powers. Britain and France divided this … [Read more...]
Fajara, The Gambia, Day 226
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The hotel is quick to rustle up a mosquito net this morning and promises to spray the room, although this begs the question: why did we even have to ask? Christi and I came to The Gambia on a whim. We had a few days to kill while Sheldon Cooper completes a pre-arranged trip to the Cape Verde Islands. We've agreed to meet him in Saint Louis in 5 days and continue overland to the border town of … [Read more...]
Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia, Day 227
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According to the Lonely Planet Guide to West Africa, The Gambia is Africa for beginners. By which I assume they mean for the travelers, because the locals are experts at scamming money and charging inflated prices. The Gambia is a relatively short flight from Europe and being an English-speaking nation is quite popular with British people who wish to sample the forbidden delights of Africa without … [Read more...]
Juffureh, The Gambia, Day 228
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Our new fixer, Moore, fails to live up to his promise of securing flights to Nouakchott in Mauritania today. He takes us to the same travel agent that we visited on Saturday (and the staff categorically deny that Moore is the nephew of the owner). Our quote for the flight is D7,450 pp. Moore says with a straight face and no hint of embarrassment that D6500 is the local price; D7,450 is the tourist … [Read more...]
Nouakchott, Mauritania, Day 229
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Although our flight from Banjul (Gambia) to Nouakchott (capital of Mauritania) is not until 10 am, we were told to be at the airport at 7 am. This necessitates an early morning (6:30 am) departure from our hotel. The random taxi driver I hired last night is a no-show. Bugger. Christi and I decide to wait until sunrise (about 7 am) and then flag down a taxi on the street. Miraculously our original … [Read more...]
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