Little Places – Ganvie, Benin

One of Benin’s most visited attractions is the stilted-village of Ganvie. It really is a bit of a tourist trap in some respects I guess, it’s on the Lake of Nokoue, and that is a short ride from Benin’s main (but not capital) city of Cotonou. If you are visiting this West African nation, well, …

Continue reading Little Places – Ganvie, Benin

Sunday Spotlight – Mopti, Mali

Today I’m stretching my memory back to the time I went to Mali, 2007, one country in West Africa which really has a lot to see and do. From the Dogon country, to the incredible mosque at Djenne, Mali is a real surprise packet in West Africa, but sadly is not really safe for travel …

Continue reading Sunday Spotlight – Mopti, Mali

First Taste – Douala, Cameroon

I once was planning a trip to West Africa and was telling a friend about it. He told me he really wanted to go to Cameroon, which was not one of the countries I had originally considered. This was back in the early naughties. I didn’t go until my third venture to Cameroon. I’m not …

Continue reading First Taste – Douala, Cameroon

First Taste – Accra, Ghana, West Africa

Ahhh Accra. Like a pie in the face, it hits you with some serious humidity not dissimilar to Bangkok. I challenged myself to go to West Africa, and despite reservations (mostly revolving around diet) I ended up getting there for the first time in 2006. I’ve been back to the region twice since and back …

Continue reading First Taste – Accra, Ghana, West Africa

The Best of Train Journeys

Today's 'Best of' is looking back at my four favourite 'Train Journeys'. I'll let you in on a secret - I think Train Journeys is my favourite segment I have written. Here are four amazing train journeys that if you're in the region you simply must visit! 4. The Ghan - Darwin to Alice Springs …

Continue reading The Best of Train Journeys

Travel and Hospitals – Burkina Faso, Part Two

After my experiences in Banfora, I hoped I wouldn’t end up in another hospital in Burkina Faso. BAH! I ended up in another TWO! Suffice to say it’s not the ideal country to end up in hospital in, should you have a choice. In Bobo-Diolosso I was taken the main hospital there. Far far bigger …

Continue reading Travel and Hospitals – Burkina Faso, Part Two

Hospitals, Travel and Me – Burkina Faso (Part One)

Here’s my final two parts of my hospital experiences. Burkina Faso, and this is where it all happened, I got my first ever serious tropical disease, malaria. I was in Banfora, a large town (but definitely a town) six or so hours south west of the capital Ouagadougou. I remember the lead up – I’d …

Continue reading Hospitals, Travel and Me – Burkina Faso (Part One)