Day 64 Sun Mar 19, 2023 Banjul, The Gambia

 Day 64  Sun Mar 19, 2023  Banjul, The Gambia

CANCELLED BY OPERATOR My tour was to the area that was the basis of Alex Haley's novel, Roots.

Roots Juffureh River Cruise 

March 19, 2023

Port: Banjul

I was disappointed again because my UNESCO tour was cancelled.  

Banjul, Gambia is one of Africa’s smallest cities.  It is on St. Mary’s Island at the mouth of the Gambia River.  It still has a village-like atmosphere and the population is 40,000. The official name of the country is The Gambia. 

The officials were on time to clear the boat at our arrival and we were able to start tours on time.  There were policemen outside our ship all day.  I felt this country put a lot of effort into welcoming us.  

I took the shuttle provided for us to go the market place.  The sights along the way were distressing.  I saw dilapitated buildings, evidence of extreme poverty and a lot of garbage.  I was relieved when we arrived at the market and realized a guide was coming along with us into the market.  He knew all the vendors and kept a close eye on us.  I would say that the poverty in this city is equal to the poverty in Cambodia.  

I will also say that the people could not have been any nicer.  They were not agressive and actually coached us in the bargaining process.  I paid the least amount of money at the port for what I bought today and that is not supposed to happen.  There was a group of indigenous people that played drums and danced off and on throughout the entire day.  There was also a police band which played from late morning until the time we were supposed to leave.  We were late leaving as the majority of the tours were late returning.  

                                        Policemen outside our ship.

                                        Policemen's Band played throughout the day.

                                    There is a power station ship that provides Banjul's power.

                                    As we were leaving Banjul, a large ferry was coming into port.

                                     I saw a lot of trucks with similar, fancy paint jobs.

                                        The Ariania was another ship in port.

                                    
                            The power station ship for Banjul, The Gambia.