It's about time

It's confirmed. I will be flying back this coming Monday.

Aksombo Dam

Here's the hydroelectric dam that produces much of Ghana's electricity. The ensuing lake created by the dam is the largest man-made lake in west Africa.

Lake Volta

Wli waterfall

Wli waterfall is reputably the highest waterfall in west Africa. it consists of a easily accessible lower fall and a harder to reach upper fall. It takes about 2 hrs to trek up to the upper fall and the climb really drives home the need for me to get some exercise in when I'm back. But anyway it was worth the effort and time to climb up to the upper fall. as you approach the fall, the sound of water roaring down the falls reaches you first. Gradually the fall comes into sight. What a sight it was! and a nice dip in the pool to wash off all the sweat from the exertion of the climb. What more can you ask for?

Can you see it?

Upper falls

Lower fall

Boy

Getaway (3) - Butre beach

Spent the Christmas period at this excellent beachside resort at the town of Butre.

Rented this fishing boat to take us out to sea. Had some hairy moments trying to board the boat as the waves were really big.

Pics of the beach

Getaway (2) - Kakum National Park

The main attraction here is the canopy walk. The walk is not too expensive and its a rather interesting way to see a rainforest. Not sure how it compares with the tree-top walk in Singapore. Has anyone tried that yet? Anyway meet some 'obrunis' along the way and we ended up having lunch together.

Obrunis

Getaway (2) - Fort Gago

Fort Gago is located near St George's Castle in Elmina. It has an interesting story. The Dutch had for years been trying to take over the Castle from the Portuguese by attacking from the sea. But those attempts were largely unsuccessful till the local population decided to assist the Dutch. They led the Dutch through a overland route to attack the Castle. The Dutch arrived on the hill where the current Fort Gago stood and found it to be overlooking the Castle. They placed cannons there, forcing the Portuguese to surrender. To ensure that no one else can take over the Castle as easily as they did, the Dutch constructed a Fort on that hill.

Getaway (2) - Elmina town

Some pictures of the town of Elmina.

Getaway (2) - Elmina Castle

Some pictures of the imposing structure of Elmina Castle also known as St George's Castle

Getaway (2) - The slave trade

Visited Elmina in the southern part of Ghana a couple of weeks ago. It's a small town famous for its castle built by the Portuguese. The castle is indeed awesome! From a distance you can see its white facade gleaming under the bright rays of the sun. But beneath its pretty walls lies a dark past. For over 200 years, it was used first by the Portuguese and later the Dutch as a centre for the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The living conditions that the slaves had to endure is horrendous. Typically, a few hundred people will be crammed into a small, dark, damp dungeon and made to eat, shit and sleep there while waiting for the ships that is to take them to the new world. It could take up to 3 months waiting for those ships. Countless died in those dungeons. Many more during the journey. Those that left would never ever see their homeland again.

It never cease to amaze me the kind of brutality that Man are capable of. The trans-Atlantic slave trade is but one of them. Terrorism, genocides, wars and the list goes on. During this festive period, while we are enjoying ourselves, let us all not forget that somewhere out there in this world, there could be a mother crying over her dying malnourished child or a father weeping for his fallen soldier son.

Entrance to the dungeons

The dungeons

Through the 'Door of no return' - so named as all the slaves that passes through the door will never again see their homeland again

Never again

The branding room - this the place where the slaves are branded with a hot iron to allow the traders to identify which slaves belongs to them