Thursday, January 12, 2012

Christmas in Ghana - Part 1

Yahoo! Finally, after a failed attempt trying to get into Benin Republic, we made it to our second West African country. 
Sitting in the Lagos airport for five hours before scheduled departure time, and then another two hours waiting for a delayed plane, I was pondering why anyone would wait seven hours in an airport for an hour long flight.
Do I look tired much?
Once in Ghana we spent the night in Accra, after a fellow passenger decided that it was too much for Caleb to take his wife and baby to Cape Coast (a two hour bus ride) that night and booked us into a hotel, which he drove us to as well (thank you God for angels in disguise - there is no WAY I would have made that journey and it was too late at night to be bothered looking for accommodation!)
Then we headed off by trotro (public transport buses) to Elmina Beach (thank you God for angels keeping us safe).
This is a tro-tro.
People thought we were hilarious having Neriah in a baby capsule and kept telling me I needed to have her strapped on my back. But you know, public transport doesn't have the best safety record, so if we can make it more safe for our little girl then we will do it!
Elmina fishing port
Elmina is a small coastal fishing village. There wasn't a whole lot there, but it definitely gave us a good taste of a bustling village. One of the things I loved about Ghana was how much emptier it seems than Nigeria. It is a busy little place but no way near as hectic! The streets and beaches are cleaner, and the pace of life is slower. 
The road to main Elmina town
We did a good bit of rockhopping and discovered a beach that was not actually a beach, it was a public toilet. Could not get out of there fast enough.

We were stoked to be rockhopping around the coast, until we stumbled upon (smelt) poo beach
Introducing Neriah to the green coconut. I truly wish I could love these as much as the Archer and Calvert families, but after a few mouthfuls, I'm done!
Unfinished boats? Art? Who knows?
Neriah was also lucky enough to have her first, of many, bucket baths. She was extra lucky because this was also the only place for the rest of our holiday that had hot water. Lucky baby.
Upon arriving at our hotel we tried to order some lunch, to which we were informed that the cook had gone to the market and would not be back for some time. A few hours later we tried to order dinner, to which we were told that the cook was not coming back. Righto. Thanks for the heads up. My poor husband had to go wandering the streets in the dark to find us whatever he could. My awesome husband came back with a strange combination from various food sellers, including the best and most awesome dish of the whole holiday - some BBQed fish, covered in onion, peppers and deliciousness. Mmmm.
Thanks hubby. I am glad that you are our family's provider :)

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