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Published: June 11th 2010
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Welcome to Ghana
As we traveled to Kakum National Park we drove past countless areas that looked like this. We arrived about 8:00 this morning at another port on our visit to Africa, the twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi, capital of the Western Region of Ghana. It is Ghana’s fourth largest city and an industrial and commercial center. The chief industries are timber, cigarettes, shipbuilding and railroad repair.
Takoradi is the largest city closest to the Equator and the Prime Meridian, making the city the most central location on the world map! The closest land to the Equator, Prime Meridian and Sea Level is Cape Three Points, about 60 miles west of Takoradi.
Takoradi is the home to Ghana’s first and important deepwater seaport built in 1928. Both Takoradi and Sekondi stemmed from 17th Century Dutch, Swedish and English forts. The two cities combined in 1946.
During World War II, the Takoradi Air Base was an important staging point for British aircraft destined for Egypt. They also flew anti-submarine and convoy protection patrols over the Atlantic.
Today we signed up for the 6-hour Kakum National Park and Canopy Walkway tour. Right after the ship docked and got clearance we were off on a 1.5 to 2-hour coach ride to the park, which is Ghana’s semi-deciduous tropical rainforest
Star Nite Club
In a downtown area, we drove past a nightly hot spot. spanning approximately 138 square miles. It was created to protect Ghana’s rapidly diminishing rainforests and the wildlife it contains. For the local people, the forest is the physical, spiritual, and cultural home for the gods and spirits that dwell in its sacred trees, rivers, stones and animals. Once again, the drive there was another eye-opening experience into the unbelievable abject poverty that exists here.
Upon arrival, we were introduced to our guide who gave us an overview of the rainforest and informed us of many of the economic and medicinal values along the way. Our 2-hour guided hike along the Kuntan Trail was informative, a great exercise, and offered serene forest views. The highlight was walking along Africa’s only Canopy Walkway, which is suspended more than 100 feet above the valley floor with views overlooking the flora, fauna, approximately 300 kinds of birds and 550 types of butterflies that live in the forest. The slight swaying is intimidating, but it is an incredible sensation to walk along it. The experience is pure adrenaline, and is definitely not for people with a fear of height or have vertigo. There are seven separate canopies that are connected and they are in
Public Bath House
Along the coast, Annette captured this public bath house. a the process of building another one. It starts at ground level, and as you walk along, the land below you slopes into a valley, finding yourself twelve stories up in the forest canopy. The horseshoe-like pattern of bridges—made of steel cable, rope netting, and narrow wooden planks—are connected by tree platforms that serve as observation points for viewing the rainforest. You circle back to complete your tour on level ground. It was another first and fabulous experience!
On the ride back to the ship we stopped at the Elmina Beach Resort for a refreshment and break along the way. Upon our arrival at the ship, we did a little shopping with some of the vendors at the pier.
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