Thursday May 22nd, 2014 Dakar, Senegal

Thursday May 22nd, 2014 Dakar, Senegal

Derek and Pappy on the Ferry to Isle De Goree

Street on Isle De Goree

Note the Calabash... ha! we've see the trees!!

Church on Island.. visited by Pope Jean-Paul

After the three sea days we were just about ready for a port day. We had decided that the Princess tour packages are way overpriced and therefore determined to do Dakar "on our own". We walked to  the nearby ferry and were joined by another couple, shortly after, "Pappy" a local and licensed tour guide latched on to us and we all got the ferry to Isle de Goree. This is a small island, 20 minutes ride from the harbour and was the staging post / prison for the slaves before boarding the ships for America. Originally developed by the Portugese, the island was a throw back in time. Apparently 1,500 people live on the island today and it has the preeminent boarding school for Senegal high school girls. In many respects although relatively civilized it is still very primitive, with outstanding architecture. and the horrific House of Slaves where we stood in the doorway that led to the boarding ramps to the boats...the point of no return.

Inside island church

Unusual Shell font

Poignant statue

Slave room.. holds 20 male slaves

Door through which slaves loaded

Door from water *on righthand side"

Back in harbour, the other couple bowed out, but we got Pappy to take us to Lac Rose. A saline lake from which they harvest salt which is exported to Mali. There we got a camel ride and rode from the lake over to the Atlantic Ocean, now they said it wouldn't be bumpy...they lied, but it did create a memorable experience. Getting on and off were quite spectacular events. Then we went over to a restaurant for lunch, sitting by a pool with a Gazelle beer. Had the best chips in years and a wonderful filet of a fish called thiof. (discovered later that it is an endangered species - sorry!) We then raced back in the taxi arriving at 4.30 and walked right into the folkloric drum and dancing show at the ships theatre. It was an  incredible act, our ears were still throbbing an hour later. What an outstanding day of such different experiences and emotion. A great "do it on our own" day and it cost less than the cost of just a morning Princess tour.

Cruel artifacts of slavery

Sand artist

Natural sand used in art

 

This will become a beautiful piece of art

Stand it up and shake! and VOILA

On Ferry back

Isle De Goree Beach

Enroute to Pink Lake

En route .. cattle

On Beach at Pink Lake

Salt harvesters

Remains of salt in boat

Camel rider... FUN!!

HOP ON THEN!!!!

Follow to leader

The Atlantic Ocean

Yes .... we did it!!

Getting off.... Yikes that's difficult!!!

Thiof (choff!) and chips!!

Unusual pool chairs

Meanwhile back on the ship!!

Leaving Dakar, Senegal