West Coast of Africa with an Explorer.

[rojaan19]

Ann and Jennifer, we were in

Ghana last year and did not need visas. A new twist for tourist bucks?

 

 

Hi Duct tape, Silverseas did all our visas for the countries we visited along the west coast, except for Ghana. The one entry visa was $100. We were in Ghana 12 hours !!! so I think you are right. :D

[turtlemichael]

rojaan19, we'll be there a couple of days before our cruise starts next March so I guess that spreads the pain of the visa cost a little more than for you. :) I'll do the same as you - get them from Canberra. Did you just ignore the question seeking two local referees?

[patnlcc]

Ann and Ron, I am going to be so sorry when your trip comes to an end. It has been so enjoyable being alongside you. Can't wait for the next one!

[rojaan19]

rojaan19, we'll be there a couple of days before our cruise starts next March so I guess that spreads the pain of the visa cost a little more than for you. :) I'll do the same as you - get them from Canberra. Did you just ignore the question seeking two local referees?

 

 

TM, You cant ignore ANY of the questions or the application gets returned to you as incomplete and you have to start all over again. Silverseas give you the details to put on that, from what I remember, you put down the Silver Explorer and their agent.

 

Ann

[fdnycruiser]

Silversea obtained all our visas in Western Africa including Ghana, which was $20. Per person. BTW, Silversea didn't think that the ship's tours in Limbe Cameroon was up to Silversea standards and issued a credit of $75 per person. Considering we hadn't complained we were very surprised and impressed by the credit. My wife and I were on separate tours in Cameroon too. Mine was pretty good , DW's not so good.

[turtlemichael]

TM, You cant ignore ANY of the questions or the application gets returned to you as incomplete and you have to start all over again. Silverseas give you the details to put on that, from what I remember, you put down the Silver Explorer and their agent.

 

Ann

 

Thanks Ann. I've asked Silversea via my TA for the contacts. Hotel address (we are there a couple of days beforehand) and agent's address should suffice. The visa for Australians appears to be AUD$100 single entry and $160 multiple entries. For US citizens it now appears to be $60 and $100.

 

Now I'm looking forward to reading about your and Ron's 12 hours in Accra. :D

[rojaan19]

Thanks Ann.

Now I'm looking forward to reading about your and Ron's 12 hours in Accra. :D

 

 

TM, I think you will have to read that in Rons TR on AFF :eek:

[drron29]

And the very thoughtful gorillas-

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and the youngsters-

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[drron29]

The last of the gorillas-

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Next it was to the Botanic Gardens,a variety of trees planted by the Germans more than 100 years ago.but we were there for a cultural show.As we walked in everyone was getting ready-

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[drron29]

There is no doubt that Africans are born with rhythm.You cant help tapping your feet.An entertaining show-

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[drron29]

Next the men get to dance.Most of the masks you see in gift stores throughout Africa do come from Cameroon-

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[drron29]

These two took the prize for putting everything into the performance-

 

Of course when you are performing in public be careful what you do.You will be caught-

 

and Rojaan seems to be taking to some parts of Africa-

 

As a bonus we got to see a golden weaver male making a nest.he does this to attract a female.but once she is in residence he starts on another nest to attract another female and repeats this again and again-

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Whilst the performance was happenning ther was some very light rain.There had been thunder and lightning all morning so we were lucky.They did serve some snacks.I had some.Wrong decision and once again i paid for it.fortunately for less than 24 hours.

I was glad to see the Explorer-

 

That night was the Venetian cocktail party and dinner.I got to wear my bow tie for the second time-no it is not necessary but I just like to.

The next day fortunately was a sea day.Took it very easy.did put down a floating deposit as there is a cruise we would really like to do on the Explorer in 2015.

A good lecture by Roddy on conservation and an enjoyable International buffet lunch.After this just two more days-Benin and Togo.

[ging466]

A number of u r posting different information about the Ghana visa situation.

 

I'm beginning to think that if u are in transit from Cape Town all the way to Las Palmas or Barcelona, then SS will organise the visas.

 

If u r embarking or disembarking in Ghana, then u need a visa.

 

In the meantime, I'm trying to get info from SS to clarify. :confused:

 

Thankx

Jennifer

[turtlemichael]

A number of u r posting different information about the Ghana visa situation.

 

I'm beginning to think that if u are in transit from Cape Town all the way to Las Palmas or Barcelona, then SS will organise the visas.

 

If u r embarking or disembarking in Ghana, then u need a visa.

 

In the meantime, I'm trying to get info from SS to clarify. :confused:

 

Thankx

Jennifer

 

I stated I was embarking in Accra so my Visa info only related to others in that position.

[drron29]

Tuesday and it is Cotonou,Benin.Again a change of timing.Another ship had taken our berth.Apparently the second time this has happened in Benin.The freighter's Captain has usually negotiated a commercial agreement.The crew though have their contacts so only an hours delay to the program.

The busses were waiting-

 

We berthed in front of this car carrier which was offloading second hand cars-

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We set off with our police escort plus an armed policeman in the bus.outside the gates of the port it was hectic-

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But we were soon outside the city with it's typical roadside commerce-

[drron29]

We passed their main soccer stadium.Built by the Chinese as usual-

 

And some nice restaurants with sidewalk dining-

 

And of course you could buy just about anything-

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And evidence the world is catching up in Benin-

[drron29]

We are off to Lake Nokoue where we will get into boats to tour the village of Ganvie which is built on stilts.We are warned that some of the villagers do not like tourists.We arrived at the embarkation point which was really jumping.It was also quite dirty.The cattle didn't mind quietly munching on the reeds-

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It was then into the boats-

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The water was shallow here so power was of the traditional variety-

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And the power comes from all age groups-

[drron29]

The embarkation point was where all the locals got on and off their boats too.

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It didn't take long to find evidence of the villages major occupation,fishing-

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And the many different ways of doing this-

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[duct tape]

You have got to love those weaver ladies...if they do not like the nest, they throw it to the ground and the guy has to start over! Loving the pix and the story!

[drron29]

Reactions to us differed greatly.Some would just turn away.A couple of times our group was shouted at.not sure what they were saying yet at other times the reaction was as always with smiles and waves.This is a good example.The two paddlers in this canoe turned their heads away but the fellow with the net wanted his photo taken and used his net for every boat that came past-

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So to continue with the fishing scenes-

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and the more traditional fish trap-

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[drron29]

The locals cruised past us-

 

Then some of the crew-

 

Whilst a couple of kingfishers hoped there was something left for them-

 

And then we arrived at the village-

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There were some new homes-

[drron29]

The waterways were a hive of activity-

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And this young lady didn't mind our visit-

 

Now this would look good on formal nights!

[drron29]

Some more shots of the village-

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And a very large building being constructed-

 

This is the fresh water supply-

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[drron29]

The highlight of this tour was coming to Madame Em's Auberge where we were to have a performance of excerpts from traditional dances plus be able to visit her craft shop and bar.Here she is-

 

The craft shop sold "local crafts".Funny that at the back were packets of African batik labelled-Made in Indonesia.the jewellery in packets was-made in china.oh well.

The dancers though were magnificently attired and really put a lot of effort into their performances.So here they are-

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[drron29]

More of the dancers-

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Of course they needed music-