Category: John & Sandy

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Banjul, The Gambia, on the west coast of Africa.

BANJUL, THE GAMBIA
A place of scorched sunlight and faded colonial history
Emerging from The Gambia’s wild mangrove swamps, Banjul sits where the River Gambia’s yawning mouth opens up to meet the salty tang of the Atlantic. Punctuated by a soaring 35-metre arched gateway, constructed following the coup d’etat that broke out in 1994, The Gambia’s capital is a place of scorched sunlight and faded colonial history, which provides flavours of laidback beachside relaxation mixed with exotic old-world African seaport charm.

Despite its capital status, Banjul’s soft lyrical name often has more of a village feel. You’ll feel it most acutely as you explore the tight-knit labyrinth of Albert Market. The orchestral sounds of bartering rise to a pitched crescendo in the early morning – the perfect time to plunge in for a dizzying sensory overload hit.

A beloved gathering spot since the 19th century, the market is a riot of colour, with spit-and-nail stalls buckling below the weight of print fabrics, salt-crusted fish, and colourful textiles. While the market can be a disorienting whir of activity, the city tends to move at a more laid-back pace.

Visit Oyster Creek to let an afternoon float by, fishing rod in hand, as the sunlight slants across the water, and you treasure the hint of an afternoon breeze. Cormorants and pelicans step gingerly across the sinking mudflats that line the riverbank. Those craving cultural immersion can visit a local home for a cooking experience, helping to descale fresh red snapper, sipping baobab juice, and mixing spices into an authentic benachin pot.

SIGHTS
• Banjul National Museum
• Arch 22
• Kachikally Crocodile Pool
• Serrekunda – Batik Factory
• Albert Market
• Abuko Nature Reserve
• Bijilo Forest Park
• King Fahad Mosque
• Roman Catholic Cathedral

SHOPPING
Go to Albert Market to browse through this colourful market. It is bustling and full of color. This primary city market has three sections. One is for food—meats, produce, and dry goods; another hawks clothing, housewares, and other everyday needs; and the rest is aimed at tourists seeking arts, crafts, and gifts. Dozens of stalls wind through the maze. Bargaining is expected! Look for batiks, handicrafts, T-shirts, and hats.

Today’s Excursion – Banjul & Serrakunda
Banjul National Museum
Depart the pier by motorcoach and drive to and visit the Banjul National Museum. The Museum and the contributions made by
Gambians to the arts, religion, politics, sports, and technology, shown in photos, and archaeological finds describing the African people and their colonial period. It houses three floors of exhibits. The ground floor displays the political and cultural history of
the nation’s capital, Banjul. On the basement level, you can learn about the musical heritage of the Gambia and see what
instruments are popular throughout the country. On the second floor, you can learn about the archeological history of West
Africa and the Gambia. The same floor also details the national colonial and post-independence political and economic history.

Arch 22 Photo stop
Make a brief stop to photograph Arch 22 (built in 1996), commemorating the 22 July 1994 bloodless military coup. Arch 22 is a
commemorative arch on the road into Banjul. It was built in 1996 to mark the military coup through which Yahya Jammeh and
his Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council overthrew the democratically elected Gambian government. A statue of the
“unknown soldier” can be seen near the arch’s base: the soldier has a rifle strapped to his back and carries a baby in one
hand whilst signaling victory with the other. Arch 22 is also depicted on the back of the 100-dalasis banknote.

Kachikally Crocodile Pool
Then drive to Bakau Katchikally and visit the Crocodile Pool. It is one of three sacred crocodile pools used as sites for fertility
rituals. It is a privately owned crocodile pool belonging to the Bojang family of Bakau, one of the city’s founding families and major

Serrekunda – Batik Factory
Continue to Serrekunda (meaning the home of the Sere Family), made up of 9 small villages that have merged over the
years, this being the largest town in Gambia today. Visit the tie-dye batik factory and see the complete process from design to
waxing and boiling the fabrics. It supplies many of the local ships.

SMOKE & MIRRORS
SHOWTIME WITH HEADLINE ENTERTAINER BRENDON PEEL

A magical world where perception bends and the unexpected takes shape.

Dinner was in The Atlantide Restaurant

MY JOURNEY
SHOWTIME WITH HEADLINE
ENTERTAINER ELIO ROJAS

With an intimate atmosphere and a gentle mood, the audience engages with the artist in a musical journey where Elio transforms with his great versatility widely known songs in his style, upholding the Latin jazz, fused with his Afro-Cuban culture and roots, mixed with European classical music and Cuban rhythms.

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Takoradi, Ghana.

TAKORADI, GHANA
Ghana’s fourth-largest city
Ghana’s fourth-largest city plays serene beaches against a bustling commercial centre. People from around the world visit the shore for its beauty and to enjoy the fresh seafood on the sands.

Frantic city life awaits a short distance inland, where an economy fuelled by Ghana’s oil industry is most apparent in the maze of vendors at Market Circle. Takoradi is also the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Elmina and Cape Coast Castle.

SIGHTS
• Takoradi Port
• Market Circle
• Monkey Hill
• Fort Orange
• European Town
• Railway Station
• Bosumtwi Sam Fishing Harbour
• Harbour Bazaar
• Kakum National Park
• Elmina Castle
• Fort San Sebastian
• Bisa Aberwa Museum
• Acquah Bar
• Harbour View Garden
• Cape Coast and Elmina Slave Castles

SHOPPING AND CUISINE
Takoradi offers a vibrant shopping scene that combines traditional markets with modern shopping centers, giving visitors a unique shopping experience. From colorful street markets selling handmade crafts and local goods to upscale boutiques offering designer clothing and accessories, there is something for every type of shopper. Don’t miss the bustling Market Circle, where you can haggle for souvenirs and local produce, or explore the Takoradi Mall for a more upscale shopping experience. Whether you’re looking for traditional Ghanaian textiles or international brands, Sekondi-Takoradi has it all.

The cuisine of Sekondi-Takoradi is as diverse as its culture. Visitors can enjoy a variety of local dishes, such as fufu, a dish of pounded yam served with a variety of sauces, and jollof rice, a spicy rice dish cooked with tomato and spices. In addition, the city is famous for its fresh fish and seafood, which can be enjoyed at the city’s numerous restaurants and street food stalls.

Today’s Excursion – The Twin Cities of Sekondi and Takoradi

We visited the fish market where we viewed ice-making for the fishing boats and the fish market.

We visited a local village and were greeted by the Chief, his elders, and a colorful village band.

We stopped at a local hotel and were entertained by dancers and a band.

ITALIAN FAMILY-STYLE DINNER

Executive Chef Ross and the Galley Team created a special Italian Family Style Dinner menu, and Restaurant Manager Dinu and the Dining Room Staff welcome you. Guests

WHILE I CAN DREAM
SHOWTIME WITH SIMON BOWMAN

He has performed in concerts worldwide, including at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the London 02 Arena. He featured the Valjean Quartet in the 25th anniversary concert of Les Misérables.
Tonight, we enjoyed a variety of performances from Simon’s musical stage career.

Where in the World Are We?

We ae in Luanda, Angola, in Southwest Africa.

LUANDA, ANGOLA
A study in contrasting economies
A study in contrasting economies shows that Luanda is a boisterous coastal city of haves and have-nots.
As the capital of Africa’s second-largest oil-producing country, it has been deemed the world’s most expensive city. Since independence in 2002, everyone seems to be gunning for a piece of the post-civil war economy. Its renaissance offers a range of experiences, from cushy hotels to a restaurant-lined oceanfront promenade to locals hawking handmade goods at crowded public markets.

SIGHTS
• Palacio de Ferro
• Marginal Bay
• Angola National Bank
• Museum of Anthropology
• San Miguel Fort
• Agostinho Neto Mausoleum
• Presidential Monument
• Benifica Market
• Slave Museum
• Capela da Case Grande
• Miradouro da Lua

SHOPPING AND CUISINE
A seafront promenade known as the Marginal runs alongside Luanda Bay. Nearby is the well-preserved 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel, which now contains the Museum of the Armed Forces. The fort has views of the harbor and the Ilha do Cabo, a long, thin peninsula in the bay home to beaches, bars, and restaurants.
With its rich cultural diversity and traditions, Angola offers a variety of unique souvenirs that reflect the country’s heritage and craftsmanship. Here are some of the most typical and best souvenirs from Angola!

• Hand-carved Wooden Masks
• Semba Music and Kuduro CDs
• Basketry and Woven Goods
• Musseque Paintings
• Traditional Dolls
• Capeulan (Capulana)
• Coffee (Café do Angola)
• Marble Carvings
• Kisanji (Mbira) – Thumb Piano
• Mupa Tree Seeds Jewelry
• Mucubal Jewelry
• Traditional Angolan Instruments
• Cuca Beer Memorabilia
• Basket Hats
• Embroidery and Textile Art
• Tchokwe Stools
• Mahogany Carvings
• Local Spices
• Luanda Postcards and Art Prints
• Benguela Jewelry
• Beaded Necklaces (Miçanga)
• Moccasins (Chokwe Sandals)
• Cassava Flour (Funge Mix)
• Clay Cooking Pots
• Capim Dourado (Golden Grass) Handicrafts
• Dondo Pottery

Today’s Excursion – The Changing Faces of Luanda
Located on the west coast of Southern Africa, Angola was under colonial rule until November 11, 1975, when it became an independent nation. The Angolan Civil War began after the end of the war for independence from Portugal in 1975. The war featured conflict between two primary Angolan factions, the communist MPLA and the anti-communist UNITA. By the time the 27-year war was formally brought to an end in 2002, an estimated 500,000 people had been killed. Today, Luanda is undergoing a renaissance of epic proportions, driven by the vast natural resources that the country has in abundance – oil and diamonds. Its people are determined and committed to turning around their fortunes and rebuilding a strong and united Angola.

“Palacio de Ferro“
After departing the quayside, drive along Marginal Bay, with the commercial part of the city on the one side and views across the bay on the other. Drive past the Igreja de Senhora de Nazare – a small church and a National Monument. Continue visiting the old Iron Palace “Palacio de Ferro”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed to have been built and designed by the famous architect Gustav Eiffel or by someone associated with Gustav Eiffel, the builder of the world-famous icon, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York City. The structure’s history is shrouded in mystery since no official record exists. It is believed to have been pre-built in the 1890s in France and was destined to be placed in Madagascar via boat. Instead, the building ended up in Angola’s Skeleton Coast after the ship drifted with the notorious Benguela currents. Portuguese rulers of the colony then claimed the boat along with its contents, including the palace. The building is undergoing renovation funded by profits from Angola’s oil boom.

Drive to and make a photo stop at the Gothic-style church of Los Remedios, which was built in 1719 as a chapel. Francis Xavier reformed the church in 1798, accomplishing the work with donations from the faithful. Currently, dos Remedios Church is considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved churches in San Luis.

Angolan National Museum of Anthropology
Visit the Angolan National Museum of Anthropology, featuring various art, sculptures, tools, weaponry, jewelry, clothing, and musical instruments. Founded in November of 1976, it is a cultural and scientific institution dedicated to collecting, researching, conserving, presenting, and disseminating the Angolan cultural heritage. The museum consists of 14 rooms spread over two floors and houses over 6,000 traditional pieces. These include farm implements, hunting and fishing memorabilia, and photographs of the Khoisan people. Other features of the museum are its rustic furnace for melting iron and its room of the masks, featuring the symbols of rituals of the Bantu people.

San Miguel Fort
Drive to and visit the San Miguel Fort original built in 1576 by Paulo dias de Novias. It was a Portuguese fortress and was the administrative center of the colony in 1627. It was a major outlet for slave traffic to Brazil. The fort was, for many years a self- contained town protected by thick walls encrusted with cannons. Inside the fort, elaborate ceramic tiles tell the story of Angola
from its early years, and in the courtyard are large, imposing statues of Portugal’s first King.Its purpose was to defend the port and the city from attack by the marauding French, Spanish, and Dutch armies. It was successful until 1641, when the Dutch seized Luanda. During Dutch rule in Angola between 1641 and 1648, the fort was known as Fort Aardenburgh. Until 1975, the fortress served as the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Armed Forces. Today, it holds the Museum of the Armed Forces.

Agostinho Neto Mausoleum

Driving along the New Marginal, visit the unique Agostinho Neto Mausoleum, a huge stylized obelisk. Rumor has it that this is the grave of Angola’s first president, President Agostinho Neto. Neto, who had very strong communist affiliations, died in 1979, and it is said that this was erected as a gift from the Russian government.

“Cidade Alta”, (Uptown)
Thereafter, drive through “Cidade Alta,” or uptown, a pleasant, airy, and calm suburb above the rest of the city, with several pink colonial buildings. Here, you can see the Presidential Palace, the Prime Minister’s office, and the Ministries of Defense, Immigration, Justice, Health, and the British Embassy. Drive past the beautiful Catholic Church, “Igreja de Jesus,” where many important people of Angolan high society get married. However, taking photos in the area is forbidden due to the proximity of the presidential residence and heavy military security.

‘Baixa’ (Downtown)
Depart to ‘Baixa’ or downtown to view the houses of parliament – both new and old. After driving past many areas in the city that are due for total upgrades and whole communities being moved, the group will realize that this is truly a city that has a
rapidly changing face – well on its way to regaining its mantle of yesteryear – the ‘Paris of Africa.’

Dinner was in Atlantide Restaurant

LEANNE MITCHELL
SHOWTIME WITH WINNER OF THE BBC1’S THE VOICE UK

As the first-ever winner of BBC1’s The Voice UK in 2012, Leanne Mitchell was a dark horse whose emotion-drenched voice overshadowed the early favorites. Her voice is flawless throughout, a fantastic trajectory from when she first appeared in that nerve-wracking moment waiting for one of the coaches to turn around.