Updated
June 3, 2001

A day out with Foday to The crocodile pool at Bakau, Abuko cattle market and Nature Reserve and then boating at Lamin Lodge

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Martin writes:-

Our trip to Gambia was decided after talking to a friend who goes every year. We wanted to help the young school children by taking over pens pencils etc, anything that we could easily pack into a bag. We needed to make sure that we were taking relevant materials so I searched the WEB for any helpful pages.

I found the Gambia Tourist Support site and it was extremely useful and easy to use.

We e-mailed Francis who was very helpful and gave us the number of May in Gambia who is working on a paper mill project and also co-ordinating GTS sponsorships. Again May was very helpful in advising what to take.

We arrived in Gambia on a lovely hot day in February and had the usual hassle to get to the coach and to the hotel.

We wish that we had joined GTS who would have picked us up and taken us to the airport. Well worth the £10 annual fee!!!!!!!!!!!

On the first night we were not going to pay hotel prices for water, and decided to "brave" the bumsters who are always outside the hotels. This was no problem after we made it clear that it was only water that we wanted, in fact the banter was enjoyable.

We were taken to a small local trader and bartered for our water (about a third of the original price, all part of the fun), we bought the lad who was with us a couple of cans of coke, he was happy we were happy and we had a good chat on the way back to the hotel.

We were only there for a week so it was time to relax for a few days, so out to the beach for us away from the hotel.

Again no real problem with bumsters after the initial "onslaught". We bought drinks and fruit much cheaper than we could in the hotel from the beach sellers.

Martin's text continues with pictures at the top of the page.

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Martin has been busy since his return, recruiting GTS members and Sylvia a colleague of his from work is traveling in late May 2001 to visit friends doing VSO at a teachers training college in Gambia.

I hope for a feedback report from her as this is so close to the Working holiday experience we are now offering.

(All text in green added by Francis - GTS UK)
Martin writes:-

After a rest we decided it was time to take our material to the GTS office and phoned to make sure that someone was in.

They arranged to pick us up from the hotel the next day and also make a day of it by having a trip around the local attractions with Foday ( Foxy).

Foday picked us up the next morning and made us feel really easy at once, he has a great character and suggested that we do a few things on the way to the office. Fine by us.

We had a full running commentary all the way to the crocodile pits. Well worth a visit and to be able to get so close to them and even touch them. Notice that I took the picture and let Karen touch "Charlie" (Coward).

It was great to be shown around by Foday who was so knowledgeable about the area and the history. He seemed to know everyone and we were introduced. No tour coaches, no reps marching you on, just local people being friendly with no need to rush we could stay and talk as long as we wanted. GREAT. It felt really good when a bus load of tourists were ushered in, marched around and out to the stalls to spend and on the bus and away again all in the time we were getting to know the keepers of the Crocs.

Onto the GTS office where we gave the goods to May, the picture shows May and Foday. After a bit of work on the computer we had a stroll along the beach and onto Lamin Lodge with Foday. On the way we stopped near to Fo's compound for a chat and a drink of tea with friends of Foday.

Abuko cattle market and Nature Reserve on the way to Lamin

This massive tree looks more like a stone cave with buttress roots supporting it

Fo explained how the lodge was burnt down and they are now busy building a new one. At the lodge we wanted to go on a short trip around the mangroves (see pictures) but Karen does not like water and an hours trip was no no. Fo went and negotiated a 30 min trip for us, again a great experience

We then took the scenic route back to the Hotel and said our farewells to Fo as we were leaving the next day.

We will definitely be back as GTS members next year and look forward to another adventure out with Fo.

Martin and Karen

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