Hi again,
I have had this text waiting at least four months and now I think to share part of my once-in-a-lifetime trip that won't be once-in-a-lifetime because 5,5 months and I am going back. This trip really changed my life, I understood what is important in my life, found my love and much more. There is a little info and some tips about travelling this awesome country.
I visited in the Gambia with my family winter 2013-2014. We started our trip December 27th, spent two weeks in Bijilo Beach Hotel and came back to Finland January 10th.
Gambia is
- smallest country in Africa, located in west coast
- capital is Banjul
- population 1 641 564
- share border with Senegal and Atlantic sea
- languages are English and tribal languages for example Mandinka, Wollof and Jola
- currency is dalasi
- Gambia is a republic
- area 11,300 km2
- religion 90% muslims
We had amazing and memorable holiday and I really want to come back as soon as possible. We had very good local quide who helped us and show different places. He was lottery win for us without his help I am sure we wouldn't have seen so much. We visited for example monkey park, crocodile pool, Serekunda where local people buy for example clothes and food, SOS child village, local barber shop (my brave brother cutted his hair there), safari in Senegal with other Finnish tourists and visited in a local family's house without other tourists.
In the Gambia people are very friendly and nice, always. It's incredible and I'm sure it makes all tourists happy.
Tips before your trip:
- Buy strongest malary pills (Malarone) before your trip and take care you eat your pills
- Take also lactic acid bacteria (Lacto7)
- You will need sun cream and I prefer you take stronger (50) because you travel during winter time, maybe you take lighter also (30). It's good idea start with strong and after that when your skin is used to sun you can use lighter
- You need t-shirts, a lot. And shorts, swimwear, hat, good shoes for walking and sport clothes because I am sure you want to walk or ride a bike at the beach. But remember in the evenings there is quite cool so take jeans and sweater too.
- Take couple copies your passport and leave one for your friend at home, one in your luggage, maybe one extra and passport in your backpack
Tips during your trip:
- You can't change euro to dalasi at Finland so try to change little bit money as soon as possible and buy at least water right away you arrive at your hotel, you will need it a lot
- Take with you as much clothes, toys, shoes, footballs,... as you can and give them for local people. I promise there is kids, and why not adults too, who need those stuffs what you don't need any more and you will be happy when you see their smile when you give your stuffs.
- Try to find friends, meet locals and find a good guide
- Use safe box at the hotel!
- Don't take your passport with you everywhere
- Drink only bottle water and drink it a lot
- Gambia isn't shopping country at all, it is quite poor African country. What this country have is happy people and sun. Of course you can just enjoy that but I think you should be active and see places and test new things
- Smile and Gambia smile with you!
I guess I have much more tips but if you are keen into know more you should ask me! I would be really happy to tell more or ask my love or Gambian friends. And those tips I gave are specially for Finnish or other north European but of course most of tips are for everybody for example malary pills and drinking enought water.
Have a wonderful holiday if you one day can find yourself at the Gambia!
<3 Veera
