We wake at a reasonable time and get stuck into a buffet breakfast. I am feeling really excited about the parade today and want it to start as soon as possible. We travel to Safari gardens and met up wit the other teams that are their. Everyone has stories to tell about the trip and Paul is still up to his armpits working on a car trying to get another one going. We ready PO by mounting the speakers on the side and check the laptop is working by having some cheesy Disco tracks playing as we wait. The water pump problem on PO has got worse and we top her up regularly with water and have the fan hardwired to try to keep the engine cool.
T-shirts are handed out with the logo of various supporters of the rally on and we try to fit into them. They are a one size fits all and that’s not too good when the fit is rather snug on some people. Whilst waiting we admire one of the police motorbikes that will lead the parade it had been donated to Gambia from Taiwan and Dean gets a photo on it.
We are off and it starts well by the junction to main road some of the teams are already leaning out of the vehicle windows and this looks a lot more fun than riding inside. Looking at the pictures afterwards Chris realises that he was slow on the uptake. On the way to the national stadium leaning out of the vehicle and trying to climb out is getting less scary and more fun. By the time we arrive at the stadium Chris has managed to sit on the roof rack a couple of times and is getting the hand of it. Paul is completely set up on the roof of the Audi with the tyres behind him as a rest.
We are greeted at the stadium by dancers and everyone starts to get in a party mood. Some of the Spanish teams are seeing how many people they can get standing on a car and not to be outdone we all climb on the Zebra bus. Soon realising that the roof isn’t that strong and you need to keep to the sides!!! The organisers and TV cameras get us to head off on the tour round Banjul and want us to make as much noise as possible. We certainly oblige and are using the air horns and music to full effect. The play list of songs created over the previous couple of days gets shuffles around depending on Chris mood. Colin isn’t even touching the laptop and is just concentrating on driving. Chris feeling a lot more confident now and is up to keeling on the roof and even leans over the end of the rack to take pictures of Colin driving.
We are not sure what people thought of us and love the experience. It’s such a rush to think we have made it all this way and that the problems we have had were overcome. Our thoughts drift to the teams that didn’t get as far. The people we have travelled with have been fantastic and made the trip such an amazing experience. Chris has more time to think as is no driving and letting Colin think about climbing on the roof. His comment is he is “very happy in the car, thank you very much!”
We drive back through towards the ferry port and then along to the mayor of Banjul’s. The grin across Chris’ face couldn’t get any wider. After all the thought and planning that went into this… this is what it’s about. This is life!
We are greeted at the Mayors office and the Mayor gives a speech afterwards we all join him on the steps to get photos and be filmed by the TV camera man that is still wandering around. A short distance from the office is the Presidents gate, we have been gracefully granted special permission to travel through this and Adrian is forced to run ahead to get loads of pictures. We wait for everyone to get through and the music I muted somewhat as we are parked by a cemetery and don’t want to upset anyone.
We are soon ready to go and feeling buoyant from his earlier attempts on the roof Chris try’s out standing and managed to last only a short time before realising this isn’t the best idea of the day. He does however now have the mascot and a bottle of water on the roof with him and Tracy Chapman Fast Car playing.
Bit of a tip laying on the roof of the car watching the sky go by is brilliant but throwing you head back to look at the cars behind upside down makes you feel sick. Chris is feeling a bit queasy but the shades are still in place and he doesn’t come off the roof till we start to travel slowly through a built up area. He has got bored of the music and needs a change.
We arrive back at the national stadium completing the 3 hour parade and are met by the dancers and ice cold drinks. After speeches from various important people the dancing starts. Adrian is wandering around with the Irish flag and Chris points out that he should get it to the top of the stadium spotlights. Adrian is less than keen but it looks like fun so Chris takes the flag and is off to find a way to get to the lights.
Arriving onto the pitch Chris discusses with some of the children training how to get to the lights and is asked if he doesn’t mind climbing fences. He is promptly shown to a fence dividing the stadium sections and with several of his guides climbs it and is then shown to where the access area is. He should have noted that the children weren’t keen to climb and had expressions like stupid tourist. Undeterred he headed on.
At about the second platform when he cleared the hoardings he remembers that heights aren’t really his thing but has to push on. He gets to a height just below the spots and puts the flag out there but he is 90% there so gets to the light platform and does the same. The floor is rather rickety and the buzzards circling round below him means the decent to the ground, after a suitable pose for photos, is rather rapid.
Whilst this is going on some of the teams are showing people round there vehicles in preparation for the auction and others are handing out gifts to the children. Lots of the people from the convoy we travelled in play football with the locals. The pictures that are taken are brilliant. We are also introduced to Miss Gambia, who one of the Spanish teams promptly put in their van and head off to the meal.
The meal back at Safari Gardens allows us to swap more pictures and for Ulrig to let off an evilly large flair that he and his father had been carrying in case of emergencies. We end up heading back to Kombo Beach to have a couple of drinks before retiring.
Friday, 23 January 2009
Culture
Having been decidedly lazy on Saturday we decide to get out and see the area. We head up-to the botanical gardens and have a look round. From there it doesn’t look far to the croc pool and rather than trying to drive to it we decide to walk. After stopping a couple of times for directions we end up with a couple of children as guides. They know where to go and will probably not try to sell us anything. As we head into and through a residential area it’s another moment of just going with the flow. Our guides get us to the croc pool and wait for us to come out just before the police as they aren’t allowed past.
The pool has a museum area attached and we learn about the history of Gambia and the people. Its interesting and something more cultural than sitting on the beach which was plan b. We head out to see the Croc’s and I am convinced that we have been stiffed and they are models right up till one moves.
We pick up our guides again and head out, in payment for their services we agree to get them a football and they are football mad here. They take us to a shop that has a range of balls but they are rather pricy and Adrian asks them if there are any more shops nearby. They lead us into the market which is great as I would never have had the bottle to amble down here unless I was with people. The stalls are closely packed together and the odours are heavy. As it is afternoon it looks like we have missed lots of the traders but are taken to a shop with footballs. After the purchase we get back out onto the main road and give the guides the football. They are really impressed and scamper off to play. This means we become like a beacon for children asking for footballs, doh.
We dive of down to the beach to see the locals fishing and take some more pictures. De curiously asks what’s in a tin that one of the children that is now following us is holding. He is holding this tin like it contains the crown jewels and reluctantly shows us his prized possession. As he peals back the lid a smell like no other hits us and it looks like massive fat maggots or Chickens livers. I have no intention of looking closer and both Dee and I feel ours stomachs turning. Getting up wind we start back towards the car at which point the kid drops the tin by accident in front of Dee and it opens up again. I am so pleased I was a few feet away this time as the last smell was very much “curiosity killed the cat”.
When we get back to the cars an ingenious local has put a chair up next to them and tries to charge us for watching the cars. You have to laugh and we soon move off to find a nature reserve that was recommended to us.
We find the reserve and walk round, I find the paths relaxing and quiet and try desperately to fix the image in my mind for when I get back home. We managed to see loads of animals and get some good shots. They looked good till I saw Dee’s pics which made the animals look like they had been told to pose for them. Adrian gets a shock and nearly jumps out of his skin as Stephan pokes him with a stick. Adrian thought it was a snake as he had been paying close attention looking for them making sure he was no where near them.
We head back to the hotel and decide to go for a curry down at the strip. The curry is brilliant and beer is served by the pint so it’s “all good all of the time”. Achim and Stephan aren’t to sure about the food as they haven’t had Indian before. This is soon remedied and they are tucking into onion bargee’s and balti’s. Feeling fat dumb and happy we head back to the Jazz bar and meet up with some of the other teams.
They have loads to tell and we find out more about the teams that lost their cars in the dessert as well as the ambulance that rolled. The place is really quiet and we must have been keeping the bar open single handedly chatting, drink and watching the world go by. We are all looking forward to tomorrow and the group splits up as people head off to get a good night’s sleep.
The pool has a museum area attached and we learn about the history of Gambia and the people. Its interesting and something more cultural than sitting on the beach which was plan b. We head out to see the Croc’s and I am convinced that we have been stiffed and they are models right up till one moves.
We pick up our guides again and head out, in payment for their services we agree to get them a football and they are football mad here. They take us to a shop that has a range of balls but they are rather pricy and Adrian asks them if there are any more shops nearby. They lead us into the market which is great as I would never have had the bottle to amble down here unless I was with people. The stalls are closely packed together and the odours are heavy. As it is afternoon it looks like we have missed lots of the traders but are taken to a shop with footballs. After the purchase we get back out onto the main road and give the guides the football. They are really impressed and scamper off to play. This means we become like a beacon for children asking for footballs, doh.
We dive of down to the beach to see the locals fishing and take some more pictures. De curiously asks what’s in a tin that one of the children that is now following us is holding. He is holding this tin like it contains the crown jewels and reluctantly shows us his prized possession. As he peals back the lid a smell like no other hits us and it looks like massive fat maggots or Chickens livers. I have no intention of looking closer and both Dee and I feel ours stomachs turning. Getting up wind we start back towards the car at which point the kid drops the tin by accident in front of Dee and it opens up again. I am so pleased I was a few feet away this time as the last smell was very much “curiosity killed the cat”.
When we get back to the cars an ingenious local has put a chair up next to them and tries to charge us for watching the cars. You have to laugh and we soon move off to find a nature reserve that was recommended to us.
We find the reserve and walk round, I find the paths relaxing and quiet and try desperately to fix the image in my mind for when I get back home. We managed to see loads of animals and get some good shots. They looked good till I saw Dee’s pics which made the animals look like they had been told to pose for them. Adrian gets a shock and nearly jumps out of his skin as Stephan pokes him with a stick. Adrian thought it was a snake as he had been paying close attention looking for them making sure he was no where near them.
We head back to the hotel and decide to go for a curry down at the strip. The curry is brilliant and beer is served by the pint so it’s “all good all of the time”. Achim and Stephan aren’t to sure about the food as they haven’t had Indian before. This is soon remedied and they are tucking into onion bargee’s and balti’s. Feeling fat dumb and happy we head back to the Jazz bar and meet up with some of the other teams.
They have loads to tell and we find out more about the teams that lost their cars in the dessert as well as the ambulance that rolled. The place is really quiet and we must have been keeping the bar open single handedly chatting, drink and watching the world go by. We are all looking forward to tomorrow and the group splits up as people head off to get a good night’s sleep.
Relaxing
We wake up Saturday and work out what to do now that we aren’t driving each day. It feels strange and disjointed. We check in with the Gambia Experience people to get the flight tickets home and after all that effort have to lounge on the beach for a while. There was a bit of contemplation about playing volleyball but it involved effort so didn’t occur.
Dean, Brian and their wives came over and we pool the pictures again and flicked through some of them trying to explain what was happening at the time. Chris’ watch seams to be stuck on “beer o clock” for the afternoon and the evening is welcomed in by cocktails and a hog roast.
Dean, Brian and their wives came over and we pool the pictures again and flicked through some of them trying to explain what was happening at the time. Chris’ watch seams to be stuck on “beer o clock” for the afternoon and the evening is welcomed in by cocktails and a hog roast.
Senagambia Strip
After a slap up dinner some of us head into the Senagambia strip to see what its like. We have been told by the guys of Team Griffin that it’s an experience and we certainly don’t want to miss any of those. We get down about 10 to discover that it doesn’t really get going till midnight.
We start off in Wow’s and play pool before heading onto a bar playing reggae and attempt to convince Achim and Stephan to do drinking games but they are far too sensible. We than do a tour of the other clubs (Tootsies, Paparazzi), bars (no idea of the names) and casino whilst listening to dance and cheese before ending up in a jazz bar and then back in wow’s. Everyone is extremely friendly and chilled.
We head home about 3-4am after Simon unsuccessfully tries to explain to a couple of locals that we are looking for a kebab shop. The taxi ride back is very chilled and we could probably walk faster, but the taxi driver tells us about Reggae night on the beach Sundays and it seams like it could be a plan.
We start off in Wow’s and play pool before heading onto a bar playing reggae and attempt to convince Achim and Stephan to do drinking games but they are far too sensible. We than do a tour of the other clubs (Tootsies, Paparazzi), bars (no idea of the names) and casino whilst listening to dance and cheese before ending up in a jazz bar and then back in wow’s. Everyone is extremely friendly and chilled.
We head home about 3-4am after Simon unsuccessfully tries to explain to a couple of locals that we are looking for a kebab shop. The taxi ride back is very chilled and we could probably walk faster, but the taxi driver tells us about Reggae night on the beach Sundays and it seams like it could be a plan.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Sea and Shades
After stuffing faces Stephan and Chris decide to go and swim in the sea to cool off. The water is really refreshing and they both attempt to body surf with varying amounts of success. Chris however does manage to loose his shades as one of the waves breaks and due to the murkiness of the water is resigned to having lost them. Stephan does a valiant attempt to see if he can see underwater but no avail.
Chris promptly has one of his lucky moments and walking back out of the sea finds the shades with his foot and is once again a happy camper! His Maui Jim shades have been through a lot with him and loosing them would have caused much moaning and complaining.
Chris promptly has one of his lucky moments and walking back out of the sea finds the shades with his foot and is once again a happy camper! His Maui Jim shades have been through a lot with him and loosing them would have caused much moaning and complaining.
Monday, 19 January 2009
Move To Kombo
After a good sleep we have breakfast and find out about the area. Apparently credit cards are not accepted widely which doesn’t bode well. Here is however a local bank coming in at 10 am to allow us to change currency into local. Having discovered that the rooms are 65 euros a night not inc breakfast it’s a bit of a squeaky bum moment, especially as we have a week to kill before flying home. We transfer all our cash and emergency money to dulassy and do mental calculations about how much we have each day to live on.
Chris gets talking to some of the other guests about where they have been and what’s worth going to see and this is extremely helpful as he isn’t sure he wants to sit around and do nothing.
Adrain goes off to investigate other places, especially one that was recommended by Team Griffin, called Kombo Beach. They managed to get a deal of 30 euros per room including a full buffet breakfast. Having checked it out we move across. The place also wins as it takes credit cards and you can charge stuff to your room. This is of course on top of having “birds wearing bikinis”; Chris may have been going a little happy dance at this point.
The room is great and the shower works we overlook the beach and the tennis courts. There is a fridge in the room and aircon. It is a true “brits” abroad hotel and it is completely what is required.
After unpacking we head down and grab some food and look out over the beach
Chris gets talking to some of the other guests about where they have been and what’s worth going to see and this is extremely helpful as he isn’t sure he wants to sit around and do nothing.
Adrain goes off to investigate other places, especially one that was recommended by Team Griffin, called Kombo Beach. They managed to get a deal of 30 euros per room including a full buffet breakfast. Having checked it out we move across. The place also wins as it takes credit cards and you can charge stuff to your room. This is of course on top of having “birds wearing bikinis”; Chris may have been going a little happy dance at this point.
The room is great and the shower works we overlook the beach and the tennis courts. There is a fridge in the room and aircon. It is a true “brits” abroad hotel and it is completely what is required.
After unpacking we head down and grab some food and look out over the beach
Safari Gardens
We had called ahead when we were travelling down and we soon get stuck into celebratory drinks and very welcome food. As there are other guests there are only 3 rooms and whilst the beers are being drunk Chris sidles off to get a room. It may seam harsh that this was done but there was no way he was getting back in the car and driving any further that night. Having secured a room he doesn’t care and soon after eating disappears off for a well deserved sleep.
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