Report Africa 2009 (4)
14b. Elmina - 17.02.2009 - 260 km
We drove from Kumasi to Elmina through the rain forest and many villages and are going to stay for 4 nights at the Elmina Beach Resort direct at the Atlantic for relaxing. It would be a nice facility if the staff at the reception is thinking about which room will be offered to the guests. The next day when we returned from our excursion where we visited Emina Castle and the traditional overcrowded fish market actually in the room below us persons were extremely drilling and hammering. After a massive complaint to the hotel manager we got another room. So we realized what actually belongs to the room equipment and probably was taken away by the chambermaids in the first room.
In advance we cancelled already fish from the menu because it smelled.
The next day we visited Kakum National Park. In the rain forest we passed a lot of suspension bridges and could watch the beautiful nature from above.
Friday, 20.02.2009 we drove to Cape Coast and its castle which was built in the 15th century. At this part of the coast was an extreme slave trade to North and South America. What happened in former times by brutal white slave traders you feel nowadays as a historical revenge. Who has thought that the U.S.A. will have a black president who is honored by a great part of the U.S. population.
Today, Saturday, 21.02.2009 we drove back to Accra (160 km). At city entrance Ralf was shot by radar with a speed of 93 km/h where the police told us that only 50 km/h are allowed. We were lucky that we didn’t have to pay as the police man has the same first name like Ralf and was very happy about it. So all was done with shake hands.
15. Lomé, DXXX - 22.02.2009 - 100 NM - 0:47
We experienced a nice short flight along the coast to Lomé. After the entry formalities were done Peter Andreason gave us a hearty welcome at the Aero Club. We met also Lena, his wife and drank together a beer. Both of them brought us to a hotel an later we got tremendous help from Peter and Lena. Presently there is no AVGAS in Lomé available.
The last time we visited Togo had been in 1985 together with our twin daughters. From this time we are still dreaming. The reality nowadays is based on violence and who has reached the upper hundreds doesn’t want to know, as very often, something of his own people.
Hardly we had left a restaurant in the evening we felt knives on our throats and were robbed and injured by 2 black persons. Ably they cut with a knife the whole pockets from the trousers but except our mobile phone and 2 glasses they got nothing. In the meantime you will experience this situation at nearly every corner within Africa. When will the media stop to transmit wrong and compassionate sentimentalism about African nations? Of course, there’s misery but quite often it is shown unrealistic and only mediagenic.
16. Sao Tomé, FPST - 26.02.2009 - 488 NM - 3:40
An island is coming up from afar and looks dreamlike from the distance. Considering from the close you´ll find only run-down former Portuguese buildings, even worse than in Lisbon. It seems there are more taxis than inhabitants. At this island as well as the African mainland nearly everybody is too lazy to walk. So is the working process as well, help is coming from foreign countries. Most of the time they don´t do a stroke, why not?
17. Libreville, FOOL - 27.02.2009 - 163 NM - 1:16
Gabon looks economically better than the other West African countries. The president or his wife have the exclusive disposal of the state and the bribe-money of the Swiss bank account. Paris is still in authority and has the decision about this country what will happen presently and in the future, all sill in interest of France.
P.S.: All around the world we are getting the best information from taxi drivers who will tell you the reality and to foreigners (except French) they will pour out their hearts.
