BANJUL, Gambia

I think there is a saying that the port you just left was the most memorable and then 3 ports later, they kind of run together. For me, this will stick out. First, the vehicle (4×4) that was provided for our tour and then the living conditions. Poverty can just about be overwhelming. Majority of population is Muslim. But as it was Sunday, our visit to the Catholic Church was at the end of their service, so witnessed the parishioners leaving the service. Woman were dressed in colorful dresses as was the priests cloak. Our visit to the Albert market and surrounding homes emphasized the poverty. Off the shore of this area is a ship providing power to Gambia. We then passed by the Parade Grandstand , the Arch 22 & Gambia National Assembly Building. What a contrast from all the poverty. On to Crocodile Museum and Crocodiles. Museums gave us some inside as to traditions of the people. What surprised me the most in the museum was a map of Gambia. The country is long and narrow, 15 to 30 miles wide, 295 miles long, surrounded by Senegal except for shoreline. Then on to see all the crocodiles. Very docile group as they are well feed. On way back to the ship visited a site where soap is made from rejected peanuts. Saw a group of women dressed in white attending a white party. Amazed how well dressed the woman in Gambia were, especially with the living conditions.Read more