13 days, 3 countries (or 4), nothing pre-booked. Let’s see how much we can wing this.

First location: Dakar, Senegal

Finally tasted Senegalese “Bisaap”. Tastes exactly like Nigerian Zobo (hibiscus based drink). Also enjoyed the Grilled Thiof and Chicken Chimchurri and potato gratin. Loads of seafood here. Still yet to try the Senegalese Wolof (but it’s on the list).

Infinity pool. That’s the tweet.

I’ve particularly liked the house styles, architecture & decor in Dakar, Senegal. A gentle mix of modern & traditional. Also beautiful art.

Night-view of the 171-feet African Renaissance Monument located on top of the Collines des Mamelles twin-hills in Dakar, Senegal.

Jet beach Cafe, Dinner & wine.

The tallest statue in Africa: The African Renaissance Monument.

171 feets of Copper, built by a North Korean company.

Architecture in Dakar, Senegal

P.S:
1st image - Musée des Civilisations Noires (a musuem)
3rd image - Gare de Dakar (Dakar railway)

Views from the Museum of Black civilization - Sculptures & buildings!

Time to look for Wolof rice. But the walking route to the restaurant is the Flea (second hand) market. Bubbling, organized and a lot of colours.

Local guide took us to a place where I tried red wolof rice, white wolof, lamb, beef, chicken, Bisaap (zobo), tamarind & baobab drinks.

Loved all of it. Won’t pick it over my Nigerian Jollof yet but enjoyed it.

P.S: image of red wolof, lamb & tamarind.

Today is for Goree island and Saly. I’m actually excited!

Dakar Jumat prayer-time traffic is bad bad!

Views from Gare Maritime Internationale de Dakar

Time for the ferry to Goree Island.

Quick tasty fish meal at the port + ferry ticket.

One thing about Senegal - They can cook. Every meal has been a hit!

Views from Goree Island.

One of the most beautifully colorful places I’ve ever visited.

More colours from Goree Island.

3rd image is the door of no return (of the slave trade route from Goree island).

Special sand art technique in Goree Island.

Art for sale: Sand Art, recycled materials as art & motif art.

Wall art in Goree island.

First 2 images are a technique of painting on glass by local artists.

Decided at 9pm last night to head to the next location, and that’s exactly what happened.

Few negotiations after and at 10pm, headed in a Car to Saly, Senegal.

2nd location: Saly, Senegal

The croissant in Saly, Senegal is heavenly.

Today in Saly, was for pools, beach walks & live music.

Breakfast by the Atlantic Ocean with a pool for backdrop.

Quick stop at the Lagune de la somone to see the views and women washing and selling seafood, shells and dried star fish.

Got one starfish.

Pink/red lake (lac rose) next. 45 minutes drive from Saly.

Horses and carts are such a popular means of moving things and people in Senegal.

Lac rose (also know as Pink lake), Senegal

Fun fact about Lac rose (pink lake): because the water is salty, you can actually float in it.

And the 1 hour 20 mins trip back to Dakar is complete.

Bonjour Dakar!

Dinner is served.

One thing no one tells you is that Dakar is actually chilly at night. If you’re visiting, bring a jacket or sweater.

After a chilled morning with croissants and Covid tests (for next location), a visit to Mosquée de la Divinité (Mosque of the Divinity)

Then visit to the art exhibition of Dada gallery at Yaas hotel in Dakar, Senegal

And dinner is served. Tonight is for fish, veggies and potatoes. – bei Hotel Djoloff Rooftop Patio

Restaurant art.

Today was rest day.

Then a power-ride through Dakar at night.

3rd location, 2nd Country: Gambia

Money changed, new SIM and no better way to start the experience than the popular Banjul-Barra ferry crossing.

35 minutes of scenic beauty on the Banjul-Barra ferry crossing, while bobbing on the Atlantic Ocean. Loved every moment of it. The pictures don’t do enough justice.

Image 2 - I tried to mimic the titanic pose

Everyone in the Gambia is so pleasant and understanding. Love it! Also, cost of living (food, taxis, etc) is loads cheaper than Senegal.

About to try Benachine, The Gambia’s traditional variant of Jollof rice and Chicken Afra (another local dish).

I liked the chicken Afra. A bit spicy but I didn’t mind the taste. It’s like diced grilled chicken. Didn’t have any strong opinions on the Benachine without the sauce. But mixed with the sauce, it was also okay, but definitely not as tasty as jollof rice.

Personal side note - I’ve not been particularly excited at the food presentation and restaurant decor so far in The Gambia, especially for a touristy place like Senegambia.

But tomorrow I hit cape point, calypso, Ngala lodge and crocodile pool, so will fully decide then.

Gambia generally has traffic at peak hours, but I think it’s mostly because the roads are narrow.

Calypso beach bar, Bakau, The Gambia and the crocodile pool.

Beach, crocodile pool and beautiful sceneries.

More views from Calypso beach bar, The Gambia.

Peep our waiter matching attire with the menu. Love it!

Lunch is served: Fish and rice.

The Captain Jack fish was tasty.

Ngala Lodge is beautiful

The Ocean from The Gambia.

Next spot: Sunprime Tamala beach.

I can totally get used to being surrounded by the ocean at every turn.

Some Gambian art/decor that I’ve loved so far.

Status at 11 days:
- 2 countries: Senegal , Gambia

- 5 cities:
Dakar (Senegal)
Saly (Senegal)
Somone (Senegal)
Barra (Gambia)
Banjul (Gambia)

Finally had properly made traditional Benachine & Afra. Benachine is cooked in a pot with veggies, meat, chicken, cassava. That’s where name “Benachine” comes from - “One pot” in Wolof. Food + history. Love it! Thank you @kemo_bojang @Ousknows & other Gambians who came through.

Back in Dakar, and first stop is for Gelato. Not the most authentic Senegalese experience but needed to satisfy my sweet-tooth.

Quick location tip:

Dakar (Senegal): if you want to experience a lot of activity in Dakar, best place to stay is Les Almadies.

Banjul (Gambia): most bubbling place to stay is Senegambia strip.

Both locations are central, bubbling and activity-filled.

Night walk through Dakar.

Good day for a morning walk through Dakar, and a stop at Eric Kayser-Dakar and La Gondole for croissants and hot chocolate.

More beauties from downtown Dakar, Senegal.

And of course, Senegalese arts and craft with a bit of street graffiti.

A quick stop at the depiction of the megalith of the Senegambia at the Museum of black civilization

Also bought a glass painting (will reveal later)

Now time to pack and head to the next location.

Au revoir Dakar.

Next location?

Hello Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire

By the way, Ivorian immigration needs to get more efficient. Pretty much spent almost 2 hours getting through immigration. My longest in this entire trip so far. Also no Wi-Fi at the airport.

So Abidjan is split into 2 parts (north & south) which are connected by 3 bridges.

Meaning - traffic in peak hour can be very very slow. A 15 mins drive from Marcory to Angre can take over an hour.

Let me be clear.

LE PLATEAU, COTE D’IVOIRE HAS A BEAUTIFUL SKYLINE!

But Abidjan in scorching hot and they sell water in this containers. Drank 2 and I’m still thirsty.

Next stop: St. Paul’s Cathedral Abidjan - the 2nd largest church on the African continent (as of 2002) and one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Cost of building was estimated at $12 million.

I particularly liked the stained glasses in the St. Paul’s Cathedral, Abidjan.

The St. Paul Cathedral bell chiming!

Interestingly, the biggest church in the world as listed by the Guinness book of records (bigger than the St. Paul’s Basilica in Vatican City) is also in Cote D’Ivoire.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, but that’s for another time.