Ghana 2 The beginning

Don't ask.....

I have no idea where the week has gone. We arrived last weekend and whow  Its already the following Sunday.  Work was of course a bit hectic we have a staff of 54 and I'm nominally the Project Director so.. try remembering 53 names.  And you know me I even forget my middle name. So fun and laughs for a few days.

Got through that and actually the project is interesting and the location of course by the sea is as usual ideal.  For those who do not know the project, Tema Port (check youtube)  it is a new container shipping port with lots of bells and whistles.  Making a breakwater and some big new quays. Sort of being a kid again with lots of big toys to play with...

Accra. Well there lies the problem. Well not with Accra but more on me being able to comment on it. Have not had time to see it properly, in fact hardly anything. We have had a night out to a very good indian restaurant and a second evening which was a staff do.  Both very enjoyable. After the staff evening I managed to learn and remember about 25 names of our team.  Working on the others...

I've added a few photos of street scenes. Taken from hte car on way to and from work. Very much reminds me of a combination of Pakistan and Vanuatu. Why ? Well in so far as the climate, life style of sellers on the roads and unfinished construction everywhere.  Main difference realy is with the street vendors. The ladies all carry stuff on their heads. I mentioned this last post but it is the most noticable difference.

On the food front. Again limited knowledge. Lots of good fish and plantins.  Thats fried banana using red oil and spices.  Excellent.  Lots of yams and various ground nuts etc. I have tried very little.  Need to get out and about. Giev me a little time. So more on that later. For now a few poor quality videos and photos....

Ghana 1 Arrival and Trip outside the hotel...

Well we have been waiting for the last two weeks for a visa to Ghana. It came through Friday afternoon.  We closed our bags and got the 23.30hr flight to Dubai and onward to Accra.Arrived late yesterday afternoon.
Landed. Sorted out additional formalities and more visa on arrival type of stuff. Chatted with a few passengers. Couple of good stories there.  One chap lives in Hanover, his mother German and Dad from Ghana.  He was coming back to see his Grandfather.  First trip in 34 years.....  Then a  Ghanaian lady from Coventry in UK.  She has lived in Uk for 7 years, where she now calls home,  and was popping back to visit family. All so chatty and friendly. Great trip.  Tiring yes............ and feeling dirty and grubby. Nothing a good shower won't cure. Exciting or what... ? Hope my fellow travelers have as good a time here as we expect to.

Arrived. First a quick relax, shower and then a  cold beer.

Today we woke up very late. Must have had a good 10 hours sleep. Had just had a quick walk outside the hotel.  Its about 25 degrees and windy outside. Not to hot but a bit humid and there is a strange dust in the year.  We are staying in the Royale Fiesta Hotel. Very good and clearly popular with expats and locals alike.

Chatted with the street sellers..Everyone speaks English as well as loads of local languages. Clever stuff.

The hotel location in not "down town" or if it is we only saw the traffic lights at our hotel entrance.  Lots of street sellers chasing cars as the lights turn red. The ladies carry their goods and wares on their heads.  Brilliant balance.  And everyone smiles.  Very friendly.

Looking forward to telling you more about this place.

Good Parking

We pass this parking site every day going to and from the house.  Actually is is a private parking outside a guys house. His own parking spot.

Main difference this one has it that he is a taxi driver and parks just off the road with an amazing back droop about 6 inch past his rear wheel.  How he does this on a  daily basis is beyond me.  I took a few photos to show you and as record for me.  If he reversed back just a bit more he has a 3 meter drop.....

Little ones

Just had to take a few photos of my Grand Daughter. Sitting with Wanna both of them having a snack.....

Mathilde followed this up with a quick nap !!!!!  Wanna I think had a cold beer.......

Seychelles and more relaxing times

And some more coastal scenes. Another good trip.

No idea who the tourists are........

Seychelles Saturday Afternoon....

Been lazy, sitting around waiting on our visas to come through to go to Ghana.  On returning last week from La Digue to Mahe we have just been sitting around drinking a few cold beers and taking road trips.

In fact full on island style is easy, just being very lazy. Lull before the storm perhaps. Actually I am quite excited to visit Ghana. It is a fascinating place with a rich history, lots of culture and now has a booming economy. Wanna is counting the hours and the days to get out there and plans to visit the local markets etc.  Me, I want to learn a bit about African drums and drum beats.....

So over the last few days we have been given a chance to relax and do a few trips around the coast. It has also given me time to follow up on our house restoration in La Digue as the Architect is Mahe based as is the contractor.  Also done some window shopping for house goods.  And that is it.  Lazy lazy  but do fine time for a few hours each day on the guitar.  Slow strumming Island style..... Way to go.... Must close off, written enough for one day... got a lot of lazy things to catch up on....☝

Haircut

Went down to Port Victoria this morning for a hair cut.  needless to say I went to my favourite barber. Al's place of course where else ?........

Nothing but bloody rain

We're in Seychelles but it is difficult to get excited.  We seem to have had nothing but rain more rain and strong winds. Well a few bits of sunshine as well but nothing to write home about.

We stayed on Mahe for a day or so then took on the ferry to La Digue.

Old local schooner

Jetty through truck window reflection

Wanna having quick beer

No swimming, could not be bothered to ride the bike in the rain. All sort of depressing in away. However all was not lost as we have time to catch up with friends and family. Rain does not make much difference  on that front.

La Digue was good.  We on arrival fed the birds, as we used to on all previous stays, and before a few minutes passed they were out to see us.  One sitting on Wanna bike seat ! Definitely cheered me that did !!!! In fact the little chap entered the house and we left some rice for him at the entrance.  I think if we stayed longer he would have moved in with us !!!!!

Little fella came to say hello

We had a few walks and noticed the jetty and small harbour were full of fishing boats and various tourist Cats. All interesting for a walk around. The big red Roro is the main vessel for bring cargo over to the islands. I'm sure in the next few years this will become much better organised and beneficial.

Town seemed quiet and out few trips out left us with empty roads and beaches. As I mentioned rain, rain and more rain......

I had earlier organised to get the house repainted and a good 70% got done. Always a concern when you are not there as to what exactly gets done. So all in all pleased with the result. We will be undertaking some major refurbishment works in October.  But first off we need to buy doors windows etc to be ready for the work. Seems never ending....



We have also accepted an assignment in Ghana planned to commence this Tuesday for a 3 month stint of work.  However that has been postponed due to delay in obtaining work permit etc.  So maybe Friday we will depart. But with the rain and winds I was even more keen to get on a plane and back to work !!!!!  Not my most cheerful post...... So be positive the next one can only be better and more upbeat.......

Thailand to Seychelles first few days

Been quite busy with things.  We departed on Wednesday from Thailand for Seychelles and onward to Ghana.  Accepted a 3 month posting in Ghana stopping in Seychelles on the way out and on the way back.

Last beer in Bangkok airport just to get the trip in motion.... And away we go. Took a photo,  a selfie of a selfie !!!!!

So first stop was to our condo and then catch up with the family especially the grand kids.  Busy time.

Sebi is now 3 and full of the joys of life. He decided my cordless drill was a wonderful toy and

is planning helping my put up some pictures on the wall tomorrow.  He even advised us to which ones go where !

Need less to say we moved on to guitar playing and then stayed, joining us for dinner. That boy eats more lentils than I do. Loves them.

Had to go to the clinic for Mathilde as she had a couple of stitches to be removed.  

Then the usual things, doing a bit of walking around town to do shopping and got to ATM etc.

 Followed by a bus ride home.  

Seychelles buses are an experience not to be missed,  but again they are not for the faint hearted. 

Fortunately it is only a 15 minute ride otherwise you thing you have spent the day having a good work out or just visited a fun park and played on the roller coaster!!!

Watching the rugby this afternoon and then La Digue tomorrow.  Oh yes, and of course we are also putting up pictures or do I just leave that to Sebi   ....?