Blogs from Gabon, Africa

“The greatest problem with communication,” George Shaw writes, “is the illusion that it has taken place.” I had come across this quote several times in the past and, rather than understanding the core issue, I had fallen victim to its detriment – one of many of life’s self-fulfilling prophecy, I suppose. Having started a new job less than three months ago, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the ground, my feet dirty and, frankly, to get new stamps in my passport! The opportunity presented itself rather auspiciously when, less than a couple of weeks into the new job, my new boss, Sean, asked if I would join him to Gabon to help teach a ‘Communications for Development’ workshop to a team of 9 Congolese and Gabonese Graduate students, as part of a Masters’ Program ... read more

Last time we talked about the Marché Mon Bouet and the Sabière. Today I’ll talk about the sea food market—Port Moel and Quartière London. The port moel is one of the principal ports of Libreville. There you find a sea food market. I got there was because that I was about to hold an arriving BBQ. The price was not expensive. I bought a 1.8kg carp at 5000 FCFA which is about 8 euros. (1 euro= 656 FCFA) Then after I got to Chinese market, which was not so far from the port. It was run by a person from Northeast China. I found it big and I got what I wanted. In Gabon, there’re lots of Chinese workers who are in the construction field, telecommunication field or even fishing industry. Then I went to the ... read more

I waked up with a one-hour time difference. I decided to get out. I was a little bit worried by the new environment about the security without doubt. Finally I got a city tour with my first guide: Michelle. Transport: There’re not buses or trams in the city. But “taxi” is the main public transport. You can share the taxi with the other people or you can make a “course” that means the taxi driver will just take you on board. The starting minimum fare is only 100 F CFA. But attention, because the “taximan” can tell the tourist from the citizens, and they’ll ask much more than it should be. Never should you put a doubt if your proposition is so low, they are always greedy. I can’t give you more advice, but if you ... read more

Day 1 Flight leaves 9:35 pm Destination: Gabon After two stops and three flights in a stuffy coach cabin, I could not wait to step out into the humidity and heat of Libreville, Gabon's capital, situated on the northwest coast. I had suffered through the long flight at high dollar for one reason: to see the gorgeous place that is Gabon. From the wildlife forests, exotic animals and the Komo River to the escarpments that cause gorgeous waterfalls, this country has everything you wouldn't expect to see in a relitively untraveled country. Today i checked into the Le Méridien Mandji hotel in Port Gentil. The hotel was gorgeous. Perched at the edge of the Atlantic coast in Port Gentil, Le Méridien Mandji offers spectacular views of rippling waters and the fronds of tall trees silhouetted against ... read more

Last time I crossed the equator I got robbed, threatened, tricked, fooled and deceived (all in the town of Muarabungo, Indonesia ), so I felt a bit reluctant to leave the safe homely northern hemisphere for the southern one. The road from the Cameroonian border post heading south was an impressive showpiece in advanced engineering. Through the dense, sticky and humid rainforest, along raging rivers and over jungle strewn mountains - the European funded road snaked. Well maintained. Empty. Along the roadsides the few dwellings sold petrol, alcohol and bush-meat. Snakes and monkeys hang next to the road and are seen almost as often as all the military check points one encounter on the road. As soon as we’d crossed the equator and stopped for dinner in Ndjole we got ripped off. The southern hemisphere, I ... read more