Monkeying around

The day after the boat trip we relaxed at Safari Garden and ate benechin for dinner. 

The next day we ventured out to the monkey park and then took a leisurely walk down the beach to Soloman's for fish in foil. 

Red colobus monkey

Our guide trying to get the monkey to go on my head

Joined by Nicola we moved on to Bucurabu and had a few cheeky beers before catching a taxi home. 

The boat trip

I think the pictures say it all...

We took a small boat to the big boat...

Where we fished...

And fished...

And fished...

Until Helen/Abdou caught a butterfish, and Paul caught
a monkfish and a ladyfish...

Which we grilled...
Paul's ladyfish is in the centre

Along with chicken, and burgers...

And skewered prawns...

And then did some more fishing...

And cooking...

And relaxing.

When we got home, Paul Rich and I went for a lovely dinner at the beautiful Ngala Lodge. 

Kii suma raka la

Kii suma raka la - this is my brother. I have been saying that a lot over the past two weeks as my brother Paul and his friend Rich have come to visit. They arrived on Thursday 2 January and I was very excited to meet them at the airport. They were shattered after an overnight drive for an early morning flight, so we just took a walk along the beach and chilled at Safari Garden, where they are staying, for the first evening.

The next day we chilled by the pool, played cards, hung out with Nicola, Helen, and a few other VSOs over the course of the day, and then went to Manjai for pork afra in the evening. James didn't have any of his own pork so we had roasted bush pig... which was very nice! The boys seemed to enjoy the experience of a proper 'local bar' and were happy not to be in the touristy bars of Senegambia.

Then on Saturday we braved Serrakunda market, which turned out to be blissfully quiet, to buy material and supplies for our boat trip the next day. The guys got some great material from a lovely guy (who suggested we take this photo!) and we headed back hassle free to Bakau to visit the tailor. 

After getting Rich and Paul measured up for kaftans we went for a drink at Bakau guest house to watch the fish come in, and then bought fresh prawns and more supplies for the boat trip. 

The guys came round to mine and we ate half a kilo of prawns in spicy tomato sauce with rice, and then marinaded another kilo of prawns for the boat trip. I also fried up some chicken and chilled / froze lots of beer and water for the day ahead, before flopping into bed exhausted but happy. 

Prawns marinading in ginger, chili, lime,
garlic and salt 

Supplies for the day ahead! 

The Hunting

On New Year's day, despite going to bed after the first call to prayer, I dragged myself off to Banjul with Joe, where we met Ellie, Joshua, Martin, Munya and Maja. We went to see The Hunting - an annual event where historically hunting groups would parade what they had hunted and killed. These days the animals are depicted as masquerades, with stuffed animal heads and intricate robes. 

The main activity doesn't start until after sun down but the build up begins days before the event, with smaller masquerades all over - even in Bakau which is about 11km or so away from Banjul. Crowds line the street, vendors sell food and drink, and more alarmingly fireworks whizz horizontally past people's ears! 

Intricate back of a costume

It was a nice day, although a lot of waiting around for not all that much to happen - by the time the main event got going I was ready to leave and go and find food. But it was fun to see the costumes and even better to people watch. 

I made friends with a young boy called Memusa, who was there with his brother Musa. Memusa was a chatty little thing, who was keen to have his photo taken. Musa was a bit unsure at first but eventually got into the photo thing, stretching up nonchalantly whenever I took a picture so that he would 'accidentally' get into the shot. 

New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve we decided to avoid the fireworks and crowds at Senegambia and have a dinner party at Helen's instead. Helen hosted and we were joined by Ellie and Joshua, Joe, Laura, Munya, Maja, and Nicola. 

We used the board from Helen's bed to extend the table to fit us all round*, and Helen cooked bruschetta to start, followed by coq au vin with mashed potato, and sticky toffee cake (cooked by Helen on her stove top - very impressive). 

As we had English, Zimbabwean and Danish attendance we tried to incorporate a number of new year traditions, including jumping off chairs from Maja (Danish style) and 'first footing' from Helen (we all left out of the back door, celebrated new year on the roof and then Helen entered the house for the first time in 2014 carrying coal for warmth, whisky for good cheer, money for prosperity, bread for food and a candle for light through the door with her.)

Preparation for 'first footing'

We then watched the fireworks from her roof top, and celebrated new year with her neighbours who joined us on the roof. 

*Helen woke up on New Year's day lying half on her bed and half on the floor where the bed had collapsed - turns out the board was quite essential!