...this weekend we took a cruise on the Volta River...
...the trip to and from Akosombo was a ride from hell..transportation provided for us and some of the students from the course...arrogant and far too aggressive driver..at times 145 kmh on a road and in a van not suited for that speed...when I saw one of the guys put on his seatbelt, I had a brief thought that we were going to die in Africa...thankful to say we arrived back safely...
Akosombo Dam
...with those comments aside, it was a hot, sunny and very pleasant day...interesting scenery along the way...
...there were baboon along the roadside but sadly none of us was quick enough to get a shot of them (wouldn`t have been able to get the driver to stop for that anyway - he even refused to stop for a washroom break)...were ready for them on the ride home but none appeared...
...lots of opportunity to work on a good tan (or burn)...
...we all enjoyed the peaceful four-hour cruise...
...food was plentyful (choice of chicken, grilled tilapia or goat stew with fresh green salad and rice)...we chose the fish with the ugly face and it was really good...
...the Dodi Princess (http://dodiprincess.com/ )
is a three level river boat with airconditioned bar on the main level, live music on the middle deck...
...even a pool on board...
...and a canopy covered open air patio on the upper deck...
...and the best feature for me - fairly clean toilets...with toilet tissue and a portal to allow in fresh air - huge bonus!
...beautiful scenery along the way...
...half way through the cruise we made a brief stop at Dodi Island...I was told that it is uninhabited and that children are brought by boat purposely to entertain (and in far too many cases beg for money)...but I did find this recent article telling of a possible school and clinic to be built for the island people, so it appears as there are still a few inhabitants...
...these baby buskers were our favourite...
...Francois quickly found himself a tour guide...or more accurately this little man found Francois...
...I enjoyed playing photo journalist...
...boat that brought the children...
...and took them away...
...and the boat that took us away...
...if we ever get the opportunity to visit again, I will bring what was suggested - lots of pencils, notebooks and clothing...
...oh...and one parting shot while driving back through Akosombo that was just too funny to pass up...
