Sunday, June 22, 2008
GMT - Gambian MAYBE Time
Trying to adjust to a busy schedule, while still, in GAMBIAN “MAYBE” TIME !!!!!.
During the time, back home
Have managed to go out on my trike (in-between, the very changeable British weather, what was all the GALES and HEAVY RAIN. all about, on Wednesday 18-6-08 ????)( and today, 21-6-08??), what happened to SUMMER??.
Swimming, at Llety Cynin www.lletycynin.co.uk
Attended many meetings, in the community
Had an article, in the Carmarthen Journal http://thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=162945&command=displayContent&sourceNode=162939&contentPK=20835289&folderPk=88497&pNodeId=162961b and the Community News http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/index.asp?locID=4553&docID=-1 regarding my POSITIVE attitude and Coleshill Social Centre http://www.coleshillsocialcentre.org.uk/
Plus, putting together, many, reports on my “adventure”, to submit to various websites, which brings back wonderful memories.
I have mentioned, before, about the lack of water sports, in Gambia. To my surprise, a poster, on display, in the Kairaba Hotel http://www.kairabahotel.com/ , to advertise Gambia Water Sports, at Denton Bridge, Banjul – the only water sports in Gambia !! (I think, unless I am corrected).
Another fond memory, is getting, the hire car, stuck, in mud, in the Middle of Kanilia Game Park, where there is NO mobile phone service, so the ranger had to walk back, to the entry gate, to get assistance (tractor, to tow us out !) this was in the very open bush, of the Game Park, Funny at the time, but a fairly dangerous place to be !!!!.
Looking trough all the photos (that will be uploaded to Flickr http://www.flickr.com/ , ASAP) we remember all the people we met.
Lamins family (in Old Jeshwang) and Nadindin`s family (in Soma).
Friends, who we drank ATTAYA (China Green Tea) and spent time with.
Friends, Immigration Officers (who we gave lifts to, and during our time where like having “personal Body Guards” ( funny moments, where when we were visiting places and the officers, in full uniform, were with us, and peoples “looks” were as if HE was “ESCORTING us “OUT OF THE COUNTRY” Police Officers (in Janjanbureh) with who we drank ATTAYA, and had meals with.
The, Hospital, I referred to, Salayman Junkung General Hospital, Bwiam, was an experience!!!!
We were booked to stay at Bwiam Lodge, but as the International ROOTS Festival http://www.rootsgambia.gm/ , was taking place, nearby in Kanilia, all accommodation in the area had been commandeered, by “higher authorities??? (weather you had had the booking confirmed, or not). Management, re-arranged accommodation, and was made available at the Sulayman Junkung General Hospital !!!!!.
In the travel, information books, it relates the image that the property has had some form of investment. On first impression this seems to be incorrect, but as the property occupies a huge plot of land, I am assured that the main part of the Hospital is functioning to a good standard.
PUG http://www.powerupgambia.org/ has been to SJGH recently, to help out.
In all, not my favourite accommodation, (BASIC, NO water or Electric, but it was a room (see Tripadvisor )
And my previous booking was re-located (in a Gambian way of thinking !!!).
All this ADDS to the ADVENTURE.
Journey`s, on ferries, were a true experience.
1. Banjul to Barra.
Main ferry, over The Gambia River. Very very very chaotic and busy. Relay`s of three, boats 1 large, 2 smaller all carrying vehicles and foot passengers.
2. Bambatenda to Yelitenda
Slightly smaller boats, to get across, the river, to the South Bank, or in our case, Soma.
3. Lamin Koto to Janjanbureh.
Smaller ferry, over to Janjanbureh island, (just a few cars and passengers). Only a few minutes, per crossing.
South, of Janjanbureh, is a smaller ferry, (one lorry, or two cars, at a time and powered by pulling a rope across the river. Passengers can also cross to Janjanbureh by rowing boat.
On this trip, we have seen more things and experienced so many things. It makes you realize, how easy we live, in the UK.
Will we go back, to The Gambia,??? DEFINATLY (browsing travel brochures, in our HAT and COAT !!!).
During the time, back home
Have managed to go out on my trike (in-between, the very changeable British weather, what was all the GALES and HEAVY RAIN. all about, on Wednesday 18-6-08 ????)( and today, 21-6-08??), what happened to SUMMER??.
Swimming, at Llety Cynin www.lletycynin.co.uk
Attended many meetings, in the community
Had an article, in the Carmarthen Journal http://thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=162945&command=displayContent&sourceNode=162939&contentPK=20835289&folderPk=88497&pNodeId=162961b and the Community News http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/index.asp?locID=4553&docID=-1 regarding my POSITIVE attitude and Coleshill Social Centre http://www.coleshillsocialcentre.org.uk/
Plus, putting together, many, reports on my “adventure”, to submit to various websites, which brings back wonderful memories.
I have mentioned, before, about the lack of water sports, in Gambia. To my surprise, a poster, on display, in the Kairaba Hotel http://www.kairabahotel.com/ , to advertise Gambia Water Sports, at Denton Bridge, Banjul – the only water sports in Gambia !! (I think, unless I am corrected).
Another fond memory, is getting, the hire car, stuck, in mud, in the Middle of Kanilia Game Park, where there is NO mobile phone service, so the ranger had to walk back, to the entry gate, to get assistance (tractor, to tow us out !) this was in the very open bush, of the Game Park, Funny at the time, but a fairly dangerous place to be !!!!.
Looking trough all the photos (that will be uploaded to Flickr http://www.flickr.com/ , ASAP) we remember all the people we met.
Lamins family (in Old Jeshwang) and Nadindin`s family (in Soma).
Friends, who we drank ATTAYA (China Green Tea) and spent time with.
Friends, Immigration Officers (who we gave lifts to, and during our time where like having “personal Body Guards” ( funny moments, where when we were visiting places and the officers, in full uniform, were with us, and peoples “looks” were as if HE was “ESCORTING us “OUT OF THE COUNTRY” Police Officers (in Janjanbureh) with who we drank ATTAYA, and had meals with.
The, Hospital, I referred to, Salayman Junkung General Hospital, Bwiam, was an experience!!!!
We were booked to stay at Bwiam Lodge, but as the International ROOTS Festival http://www.rootsgambia.gm/ , was taking place, nearby in Kanilia, all accommodation in the area had been commandeered, by “higher authorities??? (weather you had had the booking confirmed, or not). Management, re-arranged accommodation, and was made available at the Sulayman Junkung General Hospital !!!!!.
In the travel, information books, it relates the image that the property has had some form of investment. On first impression this seems to be incorrect, but as the property occupies a huge plot of land, I am assured that the main part of the Hospital is functioning to a good standard.
PUG http://www.powerupgambia.org/ has been to SJGH recently, to help out.
In all, not my favourite accommodation, (BASIC, NO water or Electric, but it was a room (see Tripadvisor )
And my previous booking was re-located (in a Gambian way of thinking !!!).
All this ADDS to the ADVENTURE.
Journey`s, on ferries, were a true experience.
1. Banjul to Barra.
Main ferry, over The Gambia River. Very very very chaotic and busy. Relay`s of three, boats 1 large, 2 smaller all carrying vehicles and foot passengers.
2. Bambatenda to Yelitenda
Slightly smaller boats, to get across, the river, to the South Bank, or in our case, Soma.
3. Lamin Koto to Janjanbureh.
Smaller ferry, over to Janjanbureh island, (just a few cars and passengers). Only a few minutes, per crossing.
South, of Janjanbureh, is a smaller ferry, (one lorry, or two cars, at a time and powered by pulling a rope across the river. Passengers can also cross to Janjanbureh by rowing boat.
On this trip, we have seen more things and experienced so many things. It makes you realize, how easy we live, in the UK.
Will we go back, to The Gambia,??? DEFINATLY (browsing travel brochures, in our HAT and COAT !!!).
# posted by ALAN - ROYGBIV @ 4:30 AM 
