During my internship at Keur Samba Guèye I was lucky enough to be able to squeeze in a trip to the Gambia with some truly excellent travel companions, Kelly and Mollie. Reflecting on the trip overall, I keep coming back to the fact that man, did we luck out.
We crossed the border without a problem (not a given for intra-African travel) and made it to the ferry terminal minutes before the ferry started its slow chug across the river into Banjul. Really, our only misfortune was the untimely failure of my flip-flop. Happily in true teranga fashion a complete stranger (read brand new insta-friend) offered to walk us through the local market to a cobbler. He then gave us a grand tour of the major landmarks in Banjul and made sure we got on the right bus to Fajara.
Our biggest stroke of fortune was certainly deciding to venture over the sandy hill and follow the dirt track to a small but charming hotel on an idyllic stretch of beach. For a song we got a cozy little bungalow feet from the beach and immediately installed ourselves in the beachside hammocks.
In this fortuitous fashion we wiled away a truly magical weekend. We walked the beach at sunset, stolled in forests with monkeys swinging overhead, ate some of the best Indian food I've had to date, got a little loopy over happy hour cocktails, pet sacred crocodiles (Sorry Mom), found a great bookstore, and spoke a lot of English. Really, it was a charmed experience all the way round. Looking for a new vacation spot? Go to the Gambia. You won't regret it, I promise.
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