The Gambia?

[FunkyGibbon]

We're thinking of going for Chrsitmaas anyone been - any recommendations?

TIA

FG

[seb400]

Went in April this year. Is it the dry season in December?

Anyway, the hotels are fairly decent - don't expect European standards though. There will probably be electricity and water outages, but nothing too serious. People are really lovely and very friendly, but you WILL be swarmed as soon as you leave your hotel, by people that claim to be tourist guides - they won't be. Not too intimidating, but very tenacious. Not an awful lot to see and do, but I would recommend going out on a trip away from the towns and hotels to see the 'real' Gambia. Abject poverty, but still happy, smiling faces. One of the trips will be to whatever school is being sponsored that season. Take plenty of stationary to give the kids.

Unfortunately we both went down with 'Banjul Belly'. Recommend you make sure you take appropriate medication. This meant we missed the 'Roots' trip. Actually the Roots book of Alex ???? has been proved to be less than factually correct, but you will still get to meet his relatives.

Food is otherwise very good. Drink is surpisingly cheap, and good stuff. Tipping is expected, about 10%, which will still come to only about a quid. Get plenty of small notes.

Hope that helps!

Mrs Seb

[FunkyGibbon]

Thanks for that. Yep December is the dry season. We've decided to go here...

www.dine-online.co.uk/ngala.htm

[grass widow]

We stayed at the Kombo Beach a few years ago, very nice, but there was a problem with people harrassing you on the beach to buy things. The police when they were around would move them on, but as soon as the police dissapeared they were back. It was worse the paler you were cos they knew you were new tourists.

Most people used to sunbathe by the pool for a few days till they had some colour, then went onto the beach.

My husband went down with Banjul belly twice, and suffered all the way home with it, think he spent most of the flight back in the loo.

[FunkyGibbon]

thanks for the replies - looks like we'll need to take plenty of anti-banjul belly medication

[adqt]

grass widow said:

We stayed at the Kombo Beach a few years ago, very nice, but there was a problem with people harrassing you on the beach to buy things. The police when they were around would move them on, but as soon as the police dissapeared they were back. It was worse the paler you were cos they knew you were new tourists. Most people used to sunbathe by the pool for a few days till they had some colour, then went onto the beach. My husband went down with Banjul belly twice, and suffered all the way home with it, think he spent most of the flight back in the loo.

Were going for a weeks break in the middle of November and staying in the Kombo Beach. I'd be interested to hear more about the place and what there is to do.

[rpguk]

I was over earlier in the year for a week and it is an amazing place. The people are as friendly as any I have ever met. There is a problem with people hassleing the tourists as pointed out already. However a firm but polite no thanks gets rid of most, of course you have to remember its a very poor country. Me and my mate ended up getting to be great friends with some of the guys at the hotel and they ended up hooking us up with someone who looked after us for a few beers and lunch, of course we tipped him for his hassle and it seems that he does pretty well out of being an unoffical tour guide (the official ones can be had for a few quid a day or so I think) when your with a local you won't get any hassle.

There isn't so much to do so to speak but I would give a huge recommendation to visit the markets of Serakunda a short drive away.

The local beer Julbrew (sp?) is lovely by the way and pretty cheap. Food is variable depending on where you go, there is a nice place called the GTS and the money goes back into the local economy.

There's a lot of expats over there and what with it being GMT its only a matter of time before cheaper and faster air travel make it the new Spain.

>> Edited by rpguk on Tuesday 25th October 14:56

[grass widow]

adqt said:

Were going for a weeks break in the middle of November and staying in the Kombo Beach. I'd be interested to hear more about the place and what there is to do.

Is a while since we were there, and it may have changed. But there are 2 supermarkets just outside the hotel entrance, but beware you get the locals trying to get you to buy things for them as you get yours.

There is a market nearby too, that sells local souvenirs such as wood carvings and locally dyed cloths. Best to wait till the end of your holiday, as you can use any left over toiletries as part payment, one bloke was willing to take my cheap watch as part payment for something.

We went on the river cruise, you go down the river, see loads of crabs in the roots on the river bank. You get to a wooden hut where you eat by candle light, and the toilet is down a long wooden jetty away from the hut. All in all with the right crowd it was a scream. My husband went big game fishing for a day. He really enjoyed it, I stayed at the hotel.

Was warned not to flaunt jewellery around, it is a poor country. But the people seemed really friendly, but they don't really encourage you to go out on an evening. We did twice, but made sure the hotel booked us a taxi there, and they made sure it came back for us at the specified time.

And the welcome at the airport is something to be seen, just you wait. Have a good time.

[seb400]

Have a look here: http://gps.virgin.net/travel/resortfi for a review of Gambia.

Or here: [url]www.reviewcentre.com/products399.html[/url] for reviews of hotels.

Mrs Seb

>> Edited by seb400 on Tuesday 25th October 22:52

[FunkyGibbon]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

FG

[c3ber]

One thing Grass Widow failed to mention was my amazing dancing with the local dance troop. Enjoy the cattle on the beach and the surf is fantastic.

[FunkyGibbon]

c3ber said:

One thing Grass Widow failed to mention was my amazing dancing with the local dance troop. Enjoy the cattle on the beach and the surf is fantastic.

Any photograhic evidence

Also, I'm not used to travellers cheques (usually just use plastic - not much use here) and I've no idea of the costs of things in Gambia. So what value cheques are worth taking, would £100 cheques be too much and I end up with a suitcase full of dalasi?

i.e. what does about 5000 dalasi by you?

Thanks again.

[adqt]

FunkyGibbon said:

c3ber said: One thing Grass Widow failed to mention was my amazing dancing with the local dance troop. Enjoy the cattle on the beach and the surf is fantastic. Any photograhic evidence Also, I'm not used to travellers cheques (usually just use plastic - not much use here) and I've no idea of the costs of things in Gambia. So what value cheques are worth taking, would £100 cheques be too much and I end up with a suitcase full of dalasi? i.e. what does about 5000 dalasi by you? Thanks again.

The wifes been doing some research and the current rate is around 45 dalasi to the pound.

5000 Dalasi will probably buy you most of Banjul.

A friend whos's been a few times suggested taking cash as exchanging money is not easy out there. There are various rates of exchange quoted depending on who you go to!
Have also discovered that some exchange places in the UK dont deal in Dalasi. We've ordered cash through Thomas Cook.

[grass widow]

The hotel reception will usually change money for you. But things are fairly cheap.

Yes there is photographic evidence, but its not on digi. And would have to find it. But the poor bloke in the troup gave up dancing first, think he was tired. Must admit forgot about that.

[love machine]

If you're interested, my old 3L full race capri resides in Gambia, I can put you onto Bob if you like who bought it, It is the fattest Capri ever and goes like buggery. Bob would probably be negotiable about borrowing it. It would make your trip absolutely spot on (take earplugs as it sounds pretty raucous!)

Stu