Sorry for the long silence. Sadly, I haven't been able to post as regularly as I had hoped while I've been travelling around Ghana. The greatest problem has been lack of internet access and of course time (I am working after all!). My journey around Ghana updating the Bradt Travel Guide though, has been progressing well. I've met numerous wonderful people (must send a big shout out to all of Ghana's fantastic PCVs – thank you, thank you, thank you!) and have some fabulous experiences – I danced under the stars at the opening of a new night club in Kintampo, learned how to weave kente cloth in Kpetoe and went walking with elephants at Mole National Park. Mind you, there have been a few nasty bumps in the road I wish could have been avoided – I was accidentally hit in a punch-up between local community members in Larabanga fighting over tourist dollars (I promise I will post a blog about my experience as soon as I can), my driver almost rolled our car during a heavy rain storm on the dirt road between Mole and Tamale (we did a 180 and slammed into a ditch; we'd still be there if we weren’t in a 4WD) and then yesterday he sadly hit a cyclist who swerved in front of the car on the road Yendi (thank God the man was OK!) and just today some rogue traffic officers in Tamale tried to make me pay a bribe because my driver inadvertently went to drive the wrong way up a one way street (I just played stupid and pretended I couldn't speak English). But as always, the life of a travel writer is not an easy one, but it is certainly an adventure!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The long, hard road
Sorry for the long silence. Sadly, I haven't been able to post as regularly as I had hoped while I've been travelling around Ghana. The greatest problem has been lack of internet access and of course time (I am working after all!). My journey around Ghana updating the Bradt Travel Guide though, has been progressing well. I've met numerous wonderful people (must send a big shout out to all of Ghana's fantastic PCVs – thank you, thank you, thank you!) and have some fabulous experiences – I danced under the stars at the opening of a new night club in Kintampo, learned how to weave kente cloth in Kpetoe and went walking with elephants at Mole National Park. Mind you, there have been a few nasty bumps in the road I wish could have been avoided – I was accidentally hit in a punch-up between local community members in Larabanga fighting over tourist dollars (I promise I will post a blog about my experience as soon as I can), my driver almost rolled our car during a heavy rain storm on the dirt road between Mole and Tamale (we did a 180 and slammed into a ditch; we'd still be there if we weren’t in a 4WD) and then yesterday he sadly hit a cyclist who swerved in front of the car on the road Yendi (thank God the man was OK!) and just today some rogue traffic officers in Tamale tried to make me pay a bribe because my driver inadvertently went to drive the wrong way up a one way street (I just played stupid and pretended I couldn't speak English). But as always, the life of a travel writer is not an easy one, but it is certainly an adventure!
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11 comments:
Great post - glad you've had fun despite the less than positive experiences. One of the drivers at my office rolled our huge Nissan Patrol a couple months ago. One of our engineers has a permantenly damaged arm because after the accident, no hospital in the north could set the multiple break!!! It was a really sad situation.
What happens -not trying to jinx you!! - if you get injured while in the north?
Good luck and do let me know if you need any info about Accra for the guide. I'm a pro on the restaurants! :)
Keep up the good work and be careful!!! Accidents are rife on the roads here...
Look forward to hearing all your travel tales - sounds scary and exciting at the same time.
Yes, please don't jinx me!! I've been thinking that I've been very lucky so far on this trip- lots of problems, but all has been OK in the end... I'm so hoping my travel insurance company is not reading my blog!!
Will definitely let you know if I need help in Accra (any suggestions would be greatly appreciated) - I'll be back there on 1st Oct.
Kim I can send you my phone number - how many days will you be in Accra?
I may be away in Cape Town the week of the 1st - but will let u know..
Safe travels till then!
I'll be in Accra from 1-7 Oct. Though am hoping I may get in a couple of days earlier. My number in Ghana is 0540727956.
Hi Kim - sounds like you're having a wonderful adventure (this is the part where I go green with envy ;-)
Tell me - how safe would you consider Ghana for solo women travelers? Your insight much appreciated!
Hi Kim
SADLY I'll be away for a wedding in CapeTown SA leaving the 30th and back the 7th. I wonder if we could meet up the 7th? A good friend of mine who is also a long term expat running a bead company here would also love to meet.
Scribetrotter - I've been here 13 years plus and have never had problems. Having said that, I have not done much traveling outside Accra alone. I would say that with your wits about you and no late night moving about you would be fine. I'd be happy to elaborate - you can email me! :)
Scribetrotter: I agree. I haven't had any problems travelling around Ghana as a woman (except for the odd queston as to whether or not I have a husband). In fact I have found everyone to be very helpful on a whole. Mind you, I did spend most of this trip accompanied by a male driver.
The Pale Observer: Shame! I'm actually leaving for South Africa on the 7th - I'll probably be flying out on the SA flight you arrive on!! I leave at 7.45pm and want to allow time for traffic and to get there a little early to avoid the usual Accra airport mayhem... so unless you get back early in the day we just may miss each other ;-(
Well Kim - it just might work out as I believe we get back early morning. Either way, I'll contact you on the 7th. Do you have a local SIM?
Yes I do have a local SIM - my number in Ghana is 0540727956.
Thanks Kim - will definitely call you on the 7th either way.
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