Exploring and relaxing in Senegal's Casamance region, and onto Guinea-Bissau

After a couple of nights in the regional capital Ziguinchor, soaking up the fading colonial charm (or chilling by the pool), we headed to Kabrousse, near the popular French resort town of Cap Skirring. 

We enjoyed a couple of nights of luxury camping in the grounds of a smart hotel, where we enjoyed beach time and a great pool. John B, Peter and Robert went on a successful fishing trip in the morning, providing us with some fantastic fresh fish for dinner, while most of the rest of the group hired bikes to explore the local area at a relaxed pace. 

We then had a very short drive to stay at a beautiful campement in a rather forgotten corner of Casamance. The profits made by the campement are ploughed back into the local area to contribute towards education and healthcare. It is set on the banks of the Casamance river, shaded from the sun by lots of palm trees, with plenty of hammocks to lie back in and enjoy the peace and quiet on the sandy river bank.

Sunset over the river on our first night.

A member of staff catching our dinner.

Will (Arnold) posing with his look-alike in the bar.

Most of us went on a days boat trip to a local wildlife reserve among the mangrove forests which supports a number of river dolphins, or manatee. We weren't fortunate enough to see them this time, though enjoyed a relaxed day on the river with plenty of bird life. We also met the campement's pet monkey who had been given the name Nicholas Sarkozy!

On our final night here, we enjoyed  a fantastic meal of fresh fish with rice, before settling in to an evening of drumming and dancing with our hosts, who seemed to enjoy the evening just as much as we did. The evening ended with a limbo competition, a local tradition.

Warming the drums on the fire prior to our drumming performance

Tania, Ina and Warren take to the drums.

Sascha takes over the percussion, Jane and Ina in the background.

Will (Arnold) takes his alter-ego for a dance!

The dancers give a demonstration of the limbo, a local tradition.

Sascha doing the limbo

Double limbo, local style!

This was our last stop in Senegal's Casamance region. The whole group has really enjoyed a relaxing time soaking up the local culture, countryside and beaches.

A short drive from here led us to the border with Guinea-Bissau, the least-visited country on this leg of our overland adventure from Dakar to Freetown.

Our group just after entering Guinea Bissau. From back to front: Chris, Will, Connor, Ian, Ant, John B, Phil, Al, Tania, Daniel, Warren, John C, Robert, Jane, Peter, Narelle, Birgit, Janet, Sascha and Janet. Nev is taking the photo.

We are now in the capital, Bissau, enjoying the laid back feel of the place, the fading Portugese architecture in the older part of town, the busy fishing port, and a few luxuries before we set off on some entertaining roads to spend a week in the the Fouta Djalon, Guinea. This is one of the most beautiful parts of West Africa, with some great opportunities to trek amongst the and waterfalls, mountains, escarpments, and traditional Fula villages. 

Internet is hard to come by here, so the next blog update will likely be when we get to Freetown in a couple of weeks time. Stay tuned for some shots of Phil's latest pair of outrageous shorts, now that his pink pair have a very incriminating brown stain...