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Today we're in Dakar, Senegal, our first African port. The day started out predictably for Africa, customs officials were late arriving and so the ship wasn't cleared on time. We had decided to miss the rush and go ashore around 10 am. Unfortunately the buses for the ship's tours didn't arrive and the crew improvised by using the shuttle buses. The shuttles buses were meant to take passenger into town - passengers not on tours - otherwise known as us. That meant we spent 45 minutes or more waiting pierside for a shuttle into town, lots of conversation and getting to know more people.
The shuttle finally arrived and then took quite a white to get out of this very busy port. Lots of traffic and a touch of chaos. We eventually arrived at Independence Square and we spent the day exploring the city with new friends Kyla and Bill. Immediately two locals glommed onto us and became our guides, protectors and "help" with vendors. Pretty sure they got a kickback anywhere we bought anything. Nice guys with good English.
We experienced the market with its plethora of vendors, everyone vying for our attention. We managed to buy a few things and try our hand at bartering.
Adrian helped Bill buy a throwdown wallet - that's a decoy wallet that you provide when someone is trying to rob you! One that's got some money in it but not all or most. One of the many travel tips going around the ship.
Our "guides" also showed us the oldest building in Dakar, the presidential palace (no photos allowed) and the always mandatory church.
We had lunch at a lovely Boulangerie - Dakar has a huge French culture and French is the first language. Tomorrow we're in Banjul, Gambia.
The shuttle finally arrived and then took quite a white to get out of this very busy port. Lots of traffic and a touch of chaos. We eventually arrived at Independence Square and we spent the day exploring the city with new friends Kyla and Bill. Immediately two locals glommed onto us and became our guides, protectors and "help" with vendors. Pretty sure they got a kickback anywhere we bought anything. Nice guys with good English.
We experienced the market with its plethora of vendors, everyone vying for our attention. We managed to buy a few things and try our hand at bartering.
Adrian helped Bill buy a throwdown wallet - that's a decoy wallet that you provide when someone is trying to rob you! One that's got some money in it but not all or most. One of the many travel tips going around the ship.
Our "guides" also showed us the oldest building in Dakar, the presidential palace (no photos allowed) and the always mandatory church.
We had lunch at a lovely Boulangerie - Dakar has a huge French culture and French is the first language. Tomorrow we're in Banjul, Gambia.
1 Comments
Ah yes, now that looks like Africa! We just ran a course in Dakar. It is the African port for Mercy Ships. Have fun and thanks for keeping us in the look back here ... as we freeze to death :-)
