The Gambia

[slinkycat]

I've researched it on the net, thought it looked like a relaxing holiday. But...a friend said tonight, theres nothing to do except birdwatching, plus the locals give you sob stories and try to get your money.
I usually make up my own mind, and I still like the look of it, but out of interest has anyone on here been, and what did you think?

[Mustardmit]

"locals give you sob stories and try to get your money" you mean the desparately poor inhabitants of this third world country might get into conversations with you about their extremely harsh life?
You might learn something, the culture and the music is fantastic, some of the world's finest master drummers come from this part of the world, you might even come back with a new found skill.

[slinkycat]

Yeah Mustard, I gave my mate the same short shrift about the local population, pointed out that its the same in many tourist areas in poor countries,in my opinion the more people that visit such countries, the better it is for their economies

[Mustardmit]

Good! -then go for it :-)

[slinkycat]

Ta mustard, it just appeals to me as a country, quite fancy the drumming too!

[pinktwink]

been to the gambia and loved it. Yes the poverty and hardship is tough but I have seen worse in India. Children will ask you to sponsor them to be a doctor etc. You need to be very careful re food etc. Got to see the crocodile that was on wish you where here . Went to senegal for a day and out to see the roots of kunta kinte as in Arthur Hayleys roots. We stayed at the Ngala Lodge which was so amazing and relaxing. I wouldnt rush back but yes I enjoyed it

[slinkycat]

Hi pink, whereabouts did you stay in the gambia? looking at bijilo

[slinkycat]

Doh! you said you stayed at Ngala, where is that?

[pinktwink]

at the ngala lodge hotel here is a liink

http://www.gambia.co....5031/Ngala-Lodge.aspx

[pinktwink]

sorry its in Fajara

[slinkycat]

Looks lovely pink, but probably out of my price range!