Not having that much going on this past weekend, I jumped at the opportunity to see some of my friends from the Kaolack region. Historically, every region hosts some party or holiday during the course of the year. Some examples the Thanksgiving party in Ndioum, Halloween in Tambacounda, and 4th of July in Kedougou. This past weekend was the Kaolack region party. Instead of hosting the event in Kaolack, a small dockside residence was rented out for us near Sokone, a region of Senegal fairly close to the Gambia and next to some beautiful mangroves. Arriving in the mid afternoon, we immediately started swimming in the salty (yet still pretty clear) water. Soon enough, we were climbing the actual mangroves (despite them bring covered in oysters, crabs, and mud) in order to do canonballs from the top of some branches, with each jump garnering even more cuts and scrapes than the previous one. As the Senegalese sun started setting (see 3rd picture), we enjoyed beer and bean sandwiches as we took turns telling stories of crazy times in Africa (4th picture). The nightime led to the usual rowdiness I have come to expect from fraternizing with this crowd, and as always, it was a blast.
The next morning we lumbered ourselves into a pirogue for a tour of the mangroves. After a relaxing 45 minute ride, we arrived at a so-called "shell island" (Ile de Coquillage). As the name implies, the beachside of this small island was covered in pretty little shells. After a quick hike around the island, we came across a sacred Baobab tree where religious figures used to be buried (2nd picture). All in all, it was an truly beautiful place (1st picture is from the top of the island, a great view), and it reminded us all how lucky we are to be here, since many people would pay great money to see these places. The pictures attached here will not really do justice to the area, but they are good to have nonetheless. Upon returning, we finished off our supply of beans and made our way back to Kaolack. I slowly made my way back to Ngaye yesterday, stopping in Thies to have lunch with some friends. It was a great trip and one of those times you can really appreciate being out here. I'm not sure if I will ever return to the mangroves, but if the opportunity presents itself, sign me up!
The next morning we lumbered ourselves into a pirogue for a tour of the mangroves. After a relaxing 45 minute ride, we arrived at a so-called "shell island" (Ile de Coquillage). As the name implies, the beachside of this small island was covered in pretty little shells. After a quick hike around the island, we came across a sacred Baobab tree where religious figures used to be buried (2nd picture). All in all, it was an truly beautiful place (1st picture is from the top of the island, a great view), and it reminded us all how lucky we are to be here, since many people would pay great money to see these places. The pictures attached here will not really do justice to the area, but they are good to have nonetheless. Upon returning, we finished off our supply of beans and made our way back to Kaolack. I slowly made my way back to Ngaye yesterday, stopping in Thies to have lunch with some friends. It was a great trip and one of those times you can really appreciate being out here. I'm not sure if I will ever return to the mangroves, but if the opportunity presents itself, sign me up!
1 comment:
Sounds like a good trip.....how weird is it that your father and I were stuck in Kaolack (sounds like an Eagles song) for a long day and night once, waiting for our taxi brousse which was "en panne" (quoi de neuf?) (I have photos somewhere).
Look for a goodie box soon!!
Bisous from Maman and the critters
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