2018 Grand World Voyage, Day 102, Banjul, Gambia (Part 2 of 2)

It was a wonderful sail-in up the Gambia River for my first visit to The Gambia. Ann, Cathy, Janet, Mike and I walked outside the port gate to meet our tour guide Lamin for an all day tour of Gambia’s capital city Banjul and the surrounding area. We made our way through the city passing the many sites along the way, passing under Arch 22 we proceeded to the Denton Bridge on our way to the Katchically Crocodile Pool farm in Cape Point, Bakau. At the crocodile pools we encountered a number of friendly and not so friendly crocs...while petting a crocodile, it turned on me and raised the fear bar for the others to pet the crocodiles...they eventually did partake. Next, we stopped in Serekunda, Gambia’s most densely populated city to walk around the street market and local shopping area and paid a visit to the cattle and goat markets. Our next adventure was to Lamin Lodge for a walk around the oyster factory and 30 minute boat trip along the Gambia River to see the oysters on the mangroves and the birds and wildlife. After the cruise, we visited a local primary school to see the education system at work. Our guide took us to his home were they served a typical Gambian lunch and we were invited into his home for a relaxing visit. On our return to Banjul, we stopped at the Albert Market for shopping, with serious bartering. Overall, we had a good day in The Gambia...the people were friendly and welcoming! Onto Senegal tomorrow.