Blogs from Cap Skirring, Lower Casamance, Senegal, Africa

We set out across no-man’s land with certain sense trepidation. The three kilometre stretch of unpaved road between the two respective countries customs posts was heavily mined during the 70s as part of the on going conflict over the Western Sahara. The twisted remains of various shattered vehicles offered a sharp reminder as to what happens if you strayed off the marked path. In the distance we saw the cluster of windswept buildings that represented the Mauritanian border. As expected the place was chaos, money changers, taxi drivers, truckers and border police were all vying for business. The Mauritanian Gendarmerie had the swagger and look of uniformed thugs and you could see their eyes light up when they saw our vehicle. We had back on the Moroccan border decided to employ the services of a ‘helper’ ... read more

Dear Family and Friends 18 So i left you all in a stoned haze in Casamance. Unlike Gambia, we did not feel the need to make like a tampon; yet the sole activity of smoking as much dope as possible was quickly losing its flavor on the third day. We decided to get make like Tom and Cruise. Our next destination was Cap Skirring, the tourist mecca of Casamance. We were a little hesitant about Cap Skirring as the last African tourist mecca was a bloody hole that we barely escaped from with our wallets intact. Yet on the assurance of many locals and other travellers we decided to overcome our aversion and give it a chance by staying the night. So I believe Kololi wanted to be like Cap Skirring, but through politics, over development ... read more

So these couple days on the beach are turning out quite nicely, as the beach is beautiful and deserted. Plus mango season is on! This means I can have my fill of mangoes, while trying not to get hit by them as they fall from the trees! Babaka’s friend, Simon is very helpful and has shown me all around and introduced me to many of his friends and “family”. I can’t seen to avoid eating five meals a day as everyone is so hospitable. They are also mostly Christians, which means pigs running around and booze sold more readily, although the Senegalese seem to be the laisser faire Muslims (as Al would say). I’m actually staying in Babaka’s place in Kabrosse, which is where he lives when he works here during the tourist season. His hut ... read more

and from there we hired a pirogue to a town composed of 4 or 5 families, one of which, called djen-dollar (cause they were "rich"), had a hostel. in two days I knew the whole tow, it was as quiet as it gets, the stars where everywhere and the river would show r sink the towns tiny beach... I mean, you have should see it. really though. I will go back there one day and stay for a month cause it was beyond anything I expected to see in casamance. people were very kind, invted me to eat at their houses, or sleep there if I wanted, and I think localsd ended up liking me. I wasnt particularly smiley or nice to them, rather casual as always and I guess they liked that more than an ... read more