Technically “The Gambia“. The only other country that keeps the definite article in its official short-form name is “the Bahamas”. I visited here during my 2019 World Cruise and visited wildlife. Today I took the general highlights tour.

Bottom line: I should have gone back to see the animals.

West Africa is tough. Economically they are really hurting. There is a film of dust on everything. The Banjul pier was not ready for our arrival and our pilot only came aboard 100 meters from the pier. But after 20 confusing minutes we were all set up. The pier had many merchants.

After passing many neighborhoods we began our tour with a walk thru the local Royal Albert market.

There is a layer of dust and grime on everything EXCEPT their clothing. Many locals were waking around with lovely clothing, clean and pressed. I’ve been to places where even the new clothing for sale on hangers were covered in dust. Not here.

Within the side streets bulk cargo were moved via wheel barrow, with the driver going “psst” to let folks know he was passing them. I did not sample any of the street food.

Next we stopped at the Gambia National Museum. They allowed photography, but for $2 USD for each photograph. I would have been happy to donate $2 to the museum, but $2 PER? To top it all off, it was not well kept. Oh, well.

Our tour ended with a visit to the Kachikally Sacred Crocodile Pool.

Originally dealing with local fertility rituals, they now do a business with tourism. The crocs are well fed, so with the support of a local guide you may take a picture while touching them. Um, no thank you.

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So, what about Gambia? This blog doesn’t dive into local politics, but the Wiki is not pretty. If they can keep a steady government things may improve. I wonder how things will look if I return in 10 years.