Along Dakar's, Senegal's capital city, northern coastline, and before the vast, wild Atlantic Ocean lies Yoff Beach.For the 90,000 inhabitants of Yoff, Dakar's largest town (commune d'arrondissement), Yoff Beach is not just their beach: the place where they'll spend their idle hours swimming or lying on the sand: but the center of their public life, rather.All along its great … [Read more...]
From Bissau to Serrekunda – Traveling in West Africa
The sun that rose over the West African coast, that morning, was the last one to find me in Bissau. My plan for that day was to farewell that country and move up north to Serrekunda, Gambia's largest city. I packed my stuff slowly, had my breakfast, and was ready to go.Getting out on the street in front of my hotel, I stopped the first taxi that passed and agreed with its … [Read more...]
Attending a Senegalese Wrestling (Njom) Contest in Joal
It was that other night. Quite an advanced night it was. Deep darkness had befallen over the west African coast since a few hours ago. And me with a friend we were striding along the lonely road from the town of Joal towards Fadiouth Island, Senegal.We had ended up there quite randomly. We arrived in Joal by late afternoon that same day, after a long bus trip from … [Read more...]
Tambacounda and Niokolo-Koba National Park – A Travel Story from Senegal
It was a long and uncomfortable journey. Me, a friend of mine, and six more locals together with the driver, squashed inside that wrecked old car, we drove throughout an entire day amidst great portions of flat, arid land till we finally reached Tambacounda city, deep in the Senegalese hinterland, by late afternoon.After a good stretching, we got laden with our stuff and … [Read more...]
Visa for Guinea Bissau in Ziguinchor
A visa for Guinea-Bissau may very easily be obtained from the country's consulate in Ziguinchor. Indeed, much more easily than from the embassy in Dakar (of what I heard from people having done so). I literally had to spend 10 minutes at the consulate before leaving with my passport stamped.The consulate is located near the John Paull II roundabout, taking from there direction … [Read more...]
Cycling in Casamance – The Story of a short day trip
Yet another flaring sun rose in the all-clear blue sky over the West African coast. Another exquisitely beautiful day had just started at Cap Skirring Beach, Casamance. I had already spent there more days than what I could have kept count of. So, waking up that morning, I felt the impulse to do something different than what I had been doing regularly ever since I arrived there: … [Read more...]
Visit Ngor Island, Dakar
Ngor Island is located off the coast of Ngor District in north Dakar. It can make an ideal destination to escape the noise and hustle of Dakar for a day or more.There is a boat going back and forth to the island every some brief interval, leaving from Ngor Beach. As soon as you approach the beach, you will be greeted by a multitude of locals eager to lead you to the boat. You … [Read more...]
