Much nicer Senegalese experiences

Despite a couple of unpleasant experiences, we managed to overlook these and see the nicer side of Senegal.

A 1 ½ hour boat ride to St Louis was much more tranquil; the only sounds we could hear were the soft purring of the motor, the splashing of water as birds dive-bombed the surface in search of fish, and the slight scraping of a plastic container against the bottom of the boat to bail out water when we started to sink a little too low.

The island itself is very picturesque.

Fishermen were hauling in or repairing nets

goats were wandering aimlessly through the narrow streets,

or on the beach,

eating rubbish,

or being washed…

Another highlight was plenty of cold beer accompanied by delicious meals, such as meatballs that the ‘Three Amitos’ cookgroup expertly made.

But best of all, we were once again reunited with our Americans in Dakar (who’d been spending time in Senegal as they couldn’t get into Mauritania). After much welcoming and many group hugs, poor Staci was thrown right back into it for cook group duty with Josh and I that night.

At our campsite, we found some tortoises in need of water and quickly refilled all their bowls. They enjoyed our scraps of watermelon rind and a few back scratches.

A few of us visited the Ile de Gorée

and wandered around the slavery museum, Castel, fort and small cobblestoned alleyways lined with art – some bright and modern and some just plain bizarre.

Later we sat down to enjoy a traditional Senegalese meal – Thiou au Poisson (fish in tomato-based sauce)

though I much prefer the Yassa au Poisson (fish in onion sauce). I washed it down with some tasty hibiscus juice and baobab juice (I didn’t even realise baobab trees had fruit as I don’t think I’ve ever seen any with it – until now.)

Before leaving Dakar, we stopped briefly at the controversial statue of a scantily-clad man, woman and child,

which overlooks the Westernmost point of Africa.