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Casabio Chronicles
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  • Casabio Chronicles

Casabio Chronicles

A botanical expedition through Africa documenting plants and animals along the way and sharing our adventures. Our focus will be on the relictual survivors of Africa with a focus on the sky-islands, the mountains with their heads in the clouds. Czytaj więcej
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  • Casabio ChroniclesCasabio ChroniclesPodróżnik

    Sleeping on sacred ground

    11–12 maj, Benin ☁️ 26 °C

    After a late-night border crossing, we found a spot to camp just outside this temple. The priest was more than happy to give us permission to rest here for one night, telling us that photos were allowed, but that we were not to enter the temple.

    While David was busy setting up our nest, I made a small offering of beer, milk, and incense at the door to the temple, which felt so good for me to say hi and pay respects in my own way.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Casabio ChroniclesCasabio ChroniclesPodróżnik
    How beautiful is this woman?!? I love her!
    How beautiful is this woman?!? I love her!Boutique store bags up for grabs. Some Sushi! Well a whole lot of Sushi!Interior of our sushi bar lunch spot. One way to transport livestock. A butchery we explored, lots on offer we don't usually see in our butchery's in SA. A very happy David - ICE CREAM!One box of wrapped chocolate! DHL fees to ship goods! A little too much moola for us.

    Scenes from Cotonou

    12–15 maj, Benin ☀️ 32 °C

    Our landing pad for a few days was a snug spot here in the heart of Cotonou. We did get slightly distracted by the idea of purchasing, wrapping, and boxing ridiculous amounts of chocolate bars (Benin-made) and sending them back to SA and the UK for distribution. We stopped dead in our tracks when we were quoted a cool R6000 to have this idea realised. ​

    The result is not that bad, actually. David and I now have a seemingly endless amount of chocolate with us in a hot car, and we're obviously eating it or giving it to others we come across.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Casabio ChroniclesCasabio ChroniclesPodróżnik
    Where up to 400 enslaved men, woman and children we kept for up to a year before the ocean journey. 1Where up to 400 enslaved men, woman and children we kept for up to a year before the ocean journey. Enslaved people were made to crawl under the floorboards of the house.Where wood slept on the floor (to better hear if anyone slave was escaping), and close to his safe. Original furniture from that time. Small arch where slaves would enter the building.

    Maison des Esclaves d'Agbodrafo

    23 maja, Iść ☁️ 27 °C

    As we have been journeying, we have been learning more and more about the horrors of humanity in the form of the Atlantic slave trade.  The Maison des Esclaves d'Agbodrafo, also known as the Wood Home, was an important stop for us. 

    This house was built in 1835 by the Scottish enslaver John Henry Wood.  Constructed in an Afro-Brazilian style, the building served as a clandestine hub for the illegal slave trade after Britain abolished the transatlantic trade in 1807, operating until 1852!

    The house was constructed for Assiakoley, the chief of the Adjigo clan, who had been exiled from Aného and relocated to Agbodrafo near Lake Togo.  Enslaved people captured from neighboring regions (Benin, Nigeria, and Togo) were held in a low-ceilinged cellar known as the "Puits des Enchainés," accessible via a hidden trapdoor in the main hall, before being transported by boat to the Americas.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Casabio ChroniclesCasabio ChroniclesPodróżnik
    Our landing pad for a few days.
    Our landing pad for a few days.First Ghanaian sunset for us. Mt Gemi Magic.Mt Gemi Magic.Mt Gemi Magic.Mt Gemi Magic.Mt Gemi Magic.Mt Gemi Magic.Orchid abundance!Orchid abundance!Orchid abundance!Epiphyte delights!!!!!!Picking up litter as we go.The start of what we discovered is Buruli ulcer.The start of what we discovered is Buruli ulcer.The friends we make along the way! Solid bromance between these two :)

    Amazing Amedzofe

    27–31 maj, Ghana ⛅ 27 °C

    How delighted we were to have spent time in Amedzofe, Ghana’s highest human settlement, perched at an altitude of 677 meters in the Ho-West District of the Volta Region.

    ​Here we enjoyed the company of the magnificent people in this region, braved the deliciously spicy Ghanaian food, discovered the beginnings of David's Buruli ulcer, and relished in the beauty found on Mount Gemi. Czytaj więcej

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  • Casabio ChroniclesCasabio ChroniclesPodróżnik
    We found Boletus!
    We found Boletus!Soooooo big!Baboon bum. The abundance of fallen mango's.Munching on mango's!Ummmm, local food is lekker!The CSIR in Ghana.Our friends from the USA. Jetski time!Such an epic swing.

    Play time at Lake Volta.

    1–2 cze, Ghana ☁️ 32 °C

    Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial reservoir by surface area, created in 1965, and we decided to pop in and check out what was on offer.
    ​
    Much fun was had indeed. We first headed to the Volta River Authority (VRA) Hospital for proper treatment for David's leg, and once due diligence was done, the exploring began.
    ​
    We found a great spot for a meal next to the water's edge, complete with falling mangoes from the trees above (Best-ever dessert!) and, to David's glee, games and water activities.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Casabio ChroniclesCasabio ChroniclesPodróżnik
    We found this guy!
    We found this guy!Sizable Boletus for sure.Baboon bum!The fallen mangos. Mango treats everywhere. Fufu delights!We found the CSIR in Ghana.Play time.A happy Dave!Such a fun swing.

    Play time at Lake Volta.

    1–2 cze, Ghana ☁️ 32 °C

    Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial reservoir by surface area, created in 1965, and we decided to pop in and check out what was on offer.
    ​
    Much fun was had indeed. We first headed to the Volta River Authority (VRA) Hospital for proper treatment for David's leg, and once due diligence was done, the exploring began.
    ​
    We found a great spot for a meal next to the water's edge, complete with falling mangoes from the trees above (best-ever dessert!) and, to David's glee, games and water activities.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Casabio ChroniclesCasabio ChroniclesPodróżnik
    Ahhhh, what a wonderful spot we found to recover!
    Ahhhh, what a wonderful spot we found to recover!Not looking all that great!More swabs, more tests and more medication. Patched up and ready to head "home" to rest. We found a fabulous Vegan restaurant!We met a FABULOUS school teacher!The magnificent staff at A1 Diesel Ltd.Ummmmmmm, talk about a sweet treat! Chocolate covered eclairs. Some buildings we liked the look of while driving in town. Yep, more delish food!

    Recovery in Accra

    4–18 cze, Ghana ☁️ 29 °C

    With little improvement to David’s leg and our car needing attention, we nested at Hotel Lili, while our car spent a few days at A1 Diesel Ltd. - Turbo & Injectors Specialists. 

    All in all, our time was well spent catching up on Casabio admin, accounting, and planning. We even made it out to the movies, where we enjoyed ridiculously luxurious food and caught the screening of The Mandalorian and Grogu.
    ​
    More hospital care, treatment, medication, and bed rest was in store for David as he was forced to slow down allowing his leg to properly heal.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Casabio ChroniclesCasabio ChroniclesPodróżnik
    Welcome to Fort Amsterdam.
    Welcome to Fort Amsterdam.Our dear Rebecca. Local artist Gilbert and his talent. What a camping spot!Swim time fun with my friend. Dusk chats. Ahhhhh, ocean!

    Fort Amsterdam and Abandze

    19–22 cze, Ghana 🌧 28 °C

    We found ourselves in Abandze as the evening snuck up on us. Thankfully, we found a parking lot to camp in and enjoyed a fantastic tour at Fort Amsterdam. This Fort was first established as a trading post for gold, but later became a significant hub in the Atlantic slave trade, with its southeast bastion serving as one of the first dedicated slave prisons on the Gold Coast. Our guide Rebecca was incredible, and we had lengthy discussions not only on the history of Ghana but also on the history of South Africa and on unpacking the Xenophobia crisis that is so prevalent in RSA currently. Czytaj więcej

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