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Published: August 3rd 2006
Paradise Part III ?
Too many beautiful places to keep track of how many we've seen. This is the view of the Volta River from where we stayted in Atimpoko.I am so sick off this entry!!!!! This is my third attempt to do this blog. Both other ones involved me typing a ton only for everthing to get lost. Those of you have seen me type will understand my frustration.
Pete - great to hear from you - say hello to everyone for me.
Suze/ Gia - oh my Lord, whatever next!
Eric will write back to mom and dad in the next few days.
We're now in Northern Ghana after a brilliant time on the fabulous Yapei Queen. What a sight to see this old freight boat chugging over the largest artificial lake in the world, to open it's main cargo door like a giant tongue, onto the beach and the crowds of traders rushing down to her to make camp on the main deck. Within one hour the main deck had little homes on it made from ricketty crates and people were settled in cooking, lounging. We had spent a whole day waiting for the Yapei Queen in a futile quest to get one of the two cabins on board. As it was we got on early and clambered up onto the next deck where the dining
Hangin' on the ferry
This was not only where we ate and hung out but also my bed for the night. I've never walked so straight in my life as after a night on the table. room was to become the best sleeping quarters on the boat, tables, wooden benches and floor in descending order of quality. We bought a couple of surprisingly comfortable sleeping mats and claimed a couple of spots. Up on the top deck were the cabins, the crews quarters and the breeziest, nicest place of all. I slept on the floor up here, with lightning bursting in the sky, lighting up the islands and the strange skeletal trees still there more than forty years after the Akosombo Dam created Lake Volta. I have christened the lake the 'Skeleton Sea'. That's going to be the title of my next CD.
Hurrah, the blighter published!!!
My sleep was interupted by a storm drenching me. I retreated downstairs to where a single light lit the scene of people sleeping everywhere, Eric on a table, all the other men, women and children on the benches and floor. I tiptoed around everyone and found a comfortable spot on the floor. Half an hour later I discovered why this spot was empty- I was sleeping in a depression on the floor that was now a healthy puddle! Despite how that sounds I got a good healthy four
Skeleton Sea
When the Volta Dam was built in 1966 it created the Volta Lake, the largest man-made lake in the world. The tree tops still rise up out of the water. Eerie at night and difficult to navigate. Quite unique though. hours and woke to watch sunrise on the roof of the ship.
We met almost all of the other tourists on the boat, most of the crew and many of the Ghanian passengers. What a trip. Eric busted out the juggling, the watercolors andf the playing cards and quickly became a hit with everyone: Alice and Rosie, two volunteers working in hospitals, Peter, the volunteer whose family had come to visit him, mum, dad and little sister, Kirin the Austrian, who's travel companians were hating every minute of the trip, Joel and his two companians, who got one of the cabins, Jonathan, the Ships Navigator, with whom I talked late into the night then again throughout the journey, who helped us with Arrival in Yeji at midnight, the Captain, the son of whom we met in Akosombo.
Deep in the night Eric, me and a few others lay on the roof looking up at the milky way.
During the next day the Yapei called at six different tiny traditional villages and at each one people came running for this twice weekly highlight, picking up supplies and waving.
We finally docked and found great accomodation for the night, even cold beer,
The Yapei Queen
Well here she is, at least her bow. She would pull up to the shore let down her doors and choas would ensue. This is the view from the top deck as we pulled up to shore. so we sat up till 2:00am talking and laughing.
What a brilliant time.
Now, off to Mole National Park.
We'll add more in about two or three days.
After Mole it's farewell Ghana et bonjour Burkino!!!
Au revoir,
mike and eric
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al val
non-member comment
bring back a BOXING WARRIOR
some of the worlds greatest boxers are from Africa.Find one and bring him to America.We will make him a CHAMPION.and we will also make lot's of MONEY.Be Safe.AL V