This is the first really new book on the Gambia for years, many have been revised and or edited BUT this book by Emma Gregg and Richard Trillo who is also the author of Rough Guides book on Kenya, is an excellent read.

I have read it now from cover to cover and it really does cover Gambia in the best possible detail. It is practical but descriptive, and covers everything you need to know before you travel. You can dip in and out or just read page after page of fascinating information and descriptions.

Emma did some of her research for this book with GTS and she saw the construction of the new Bar and Restaurant but missed the opening of the theatre in the garden. The Rough Guide mentions GTS in a number of contexts, from our 'refreshingly candid website' to the excellent food in the restaurant . . . GTS has moved on since then and of course this is one problem with a printed guide - things change and in Gambia things change rapidly, that said - this is still the best guide book Ihave read and I think I have read them all.

If you are only going to get one book on The Gambia, this is the one to have, it sets new standards

The cover cost is £12.99, Amazon was offering it at £8.79 PLUS p+p

It feels a bit like name dropping but the picture to the left was taken by Emma when she accompanied GTS on a trip up river beyond Basse to the village of Boro. The boats provide the ferry across the River Gambia (at this point about 100m wide). On the way back from what turned out to be a dramatic emotion filled day with us all attending a funeral - Emma decided to swim back - only thinking half way across of the possability that there maybe crocodiles.

The photograph is one of my favourite images of the 'Real Gambia' although Gambia needs the income from tourism it will be sad if the affects of tourism outweigh the megre cash benefits obtained.

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