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Published: September 17th 2013
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As part of a seaside holiday in Senegal or Senegalese tour visiting the romantic city of Saint Louis is a must! I also have opened me to a day in the beautiful old town. The former pearl of West Africa Saint Louis is located at the mouth of the Senegal River Basin, about 265 kilometers north of Dakar. Located near the border with Mauritania City until 1902 was the capital of the colony of French West Africa, which included among other things, Mauritania, Niger, Mali, Guinea and the Ivory Coast.
The city is now the capital of the region of Saint Louis and has about 170,000 inhabitants, who live mainly by fishing and agriculture. Referred to in the Wolof language "Ndar" city is a cultural center of Senegal and attracts with its bustling everyday life.
I was particularly impressed the historic city center with its magnificent merchant houses. Here I felt myself transported directly to the former rich colonial France's oldest city-Saharan Africa.
Surprisingly, I felt the Senegalese excellent road system as much as possible and only about a 3.5 hour drive I made up the route to the north. However, the scenery along the route is so
impressive that one, I think, definitely should plan stops or overnight stops.
Coming already half way to Saint Louis from the south, the landscape of initial savannah changed into a dune landscape, which has impressed me with their originality. Right and left of the road looking after camels sparse grass cuttings and vultures to destroy the remains of a zebu gathered there during the tracks of a former narrow gauge railroad right-hand guide to Saint Louis.
About the Pont Faidherbe leads into the lagoon from the mainland city of Saint Louis, which is also called the "Venice" of Africa. This designation has Saint Louis due to the location on a completely severed from the mainland island between the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Senegal River on the other side.
Here you will find regularly in May Jazz Festival "Jazz de Saint Louis" instead. The most important jazz festival in Africa has received worldwide attention and promotes the interaction of different cultures.
In eineem city tour I visited the Place de Faidherbe - the central square of the city government buildings and barracks the historical European part of the city in the south and in the north the two poor fishermen's quarter Nadar Nadar Toutt and cargo.
In the historic district, it seemed as if time had stood still. I was particularly fascinated by the old colonial houses with well-developed inner courtyards that offer a glimpse of the spirit of the times and the savoir vivre of a bygone era. Despite the crumbling plaster and peeling paint, the old trading houses radiate from the 19th Century from a special charm.
The courtyards of the houses are closed to the street typical of the colonial architecture of the city. They are so large that even trees grow in it and some impressive stone staircases create a charming atmosphere.
Another interesting area of Saint Louis is the old fishing village, which is a stark contrast to the old town. Here live a simple, hard-working people who earn their living by fishing. Here there is a hive of activity and especially in the afternoon when the fishermen landing their catches and provide countless trucks for the transportation of the fish is hard to get through. Sometimes it is so narrow and so crowded that the trucks get stuck. Really is no more. And it stays that way for a while until some of the drivers and gives the other can happen! The trucks transport the freshly caught fish up in the south of Senegal to Mauritania or Mali. Fishermen, children playing and tourists scurry around between trucks and horse-drawn cabs and make their way through the controlled chaos. There is no place for people with a nervous stomach. The smell of fish is ubiquitous and slipped me a long time in the nose.
The old fishing village you can alternatively get to know on a trip by horse. The "Caleches" are the traditional means of transport in Saint Louis and a romantic form of transportation. In the late afternoon I went back to the colonial quarter and enjoyed my tea on the terrace of the prestigious Hotel de la Poste by numerous glamorous personalities of the early 20th Century lodged.
1930 saw the French Post Office aviator Jean Mermoz Saint Louis the first flight from Africa to South America. Prior to the first mail flight from France to North Africa it was already done.
Countless images of this aviation pioneer I could at the Hotel de la Poste, the oldest hotel in Saint Louis, visit. There, enter the restaurant and bar testimony of Jean Mermoz and many other famous personalities of his time, who dropped to the Hotel de la Poste.
I found it really worth going there for a drink on the terrace and let these photographs seem to me. Moreover, one has a good view on the terrace on the lively bustle of Saint Louis or can enjoy the romantic Shore Restaurant with magnificent views of the Pont Faidherbe and the Senegal River.
My stay at Jamm Maison d'Hotes is me stay an unforgettable experience in your memory. Even though I have not stayed here, I had to look at this once great house. The colonial-style, yet equipped with modern comfort inn is lovingly maintained by its Belgian owner. It was primarily involving the techniques and materials of the 19th Restored century and is since 2000 under the protection of UNESCO. Particularly fascinating are the many photo albums ausliegenden in the rooms which convey an impression of the thriving colonial in Saint Louis and invite you to browse. Meals can be taken together with the landlord in the open interior.
On the endless, wide sandy beaches about 4 miles from the center there are the seaside hotels of the region. I am the Cap Saint Louis Hotel dearest. The Senegalese owner-couple cares very touching to its guests.
Here the guest lives in beautiful style bungalows Serer, directly opposite the large Senegal River on the Langue de Barbarie Peninsula.
hotels is rather sparse and mostly sweet, Cap Saint Louis hotel offers its German guests eggs or omelette, sausage and cheese.
The Hotel Mermoz is also located on the Langue de Barbarie takes its name as the Hotel de la Poste to mail pilot Jean Mermoz. Also within walking distance from the city center of Saint Louis, Hotel Diamarek and offers a relaxing stay in huts that are more secluded amongst pine trees.
A visit to the national parks in the vicinity of Saint Louis very worthwhile. In the National Park Langue de Barbarie, which is on the same, 25 km long and 100 m wide headland, home to many species of birds (including flamingos, cormorants, herons, storks and pelicans) and especially during our winter, a variety of migratory birds that annually here return to your hatcheries.
Situated in the conservation area of the Langue de Barbarie, the encampment "Océan & Savane". In this unique location between Senegal river and the sea, it is a paradise for surfers and other water sports. Here you live in traditional tents in the Moorish style. Shared showers and toilets are located near the stone cottages and tents and are very well maintained and clean.
The whole atmosphere of the resort is very relaxed. Exceptionally well as the large restaurant tent is by one takes his meals in the typical Berber style on big pillows. The subsequent tea ceremony with drumming and dancing is a great memory for a long time as well as the incredible night sky in the clear dark night.
North of Saint-Louis near the Mauritanian border is the end of my trip I visited the third largest bird sanctuary in the world. In the National Park you Djoudj live to 160 km ² especially in the winter time 3 million migratory birds and many, some rare species, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, cormorants, crested cranes and ospreys. With a bit of luck - which I had a great way - you also meet on warthogs, water turtles, jackals, gazelles and crocodiles.
For more information on Saint Louis and other areas in Senegal, I recommend you take a look at the homepage of Africa World Travel throwing. Book
flights to Dakar with
Jetline Express .
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