Yaounde, Cameroon

When traveling with a group, the itinerary is pre-specifed and often include place one would not pick individually.  Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, is one of those places. There wasn't much here that I wanted to see, so I visited two museums. 

My tour guide was excellent. A larger portion of the museum was dedicated towards politics, history and economics. I asked a lot of questions. He was able to satisfactory answer all of them.  The highlight of the tour was learning more about the current Anglophone and Francophone conflict, and it's origins. The tour took about 2.5 hrs. 

No photos were allowed in the museum, which was very frustrating. Photos were allow outside only. There was barely anything outside, except a few brass sculptures. 

Blackitude Museum was okay, nothing great. 

Blackitude limits the number of picture one can take. Only two pictures are allowed. WTF?

The Blackitude Museum is a private museum created in 2000 by Her Majesty Queen Nana Agnes who is the founder after receiving the important part of the collection from her father who was the traditional ruler of the Western Region in Cameroon.

Kribi, Cameroon

River trip...

Visiting a local pygmy village with Stefano and Conall. Like really? A human zoo?

A local pygmy (yes, the visit was a bit weird!)

The Chinese built this huge four lane bride about a kilometer from the historical pygmy village.  Yup really. 

Where freshwater pours into the salty ocean: lobe waterfalls. Tourist attractions are in West Africa. More evidence.

Before (above) and after (below)... They suggested we order the freshwater shrimp. We wouldn't order them unless they proved it was alive.  

a bottle boat

Pierogi Dinner Night

Since all four grandparents emigrated from Poland, we still keep the Polish tradition of making and feasting on pierogies every x-mas eve.  This year I miss that tradition because I was traveling.  Instead, Marijka who also traditionally make pierogies every year with her friends at home, decide we'd make them for the group dinner. 

The big difference was we make them over a campfire. It took about 4.5 hrs to make 100 pierogies. We needed the assistance of the other group members, otherwise it would have taken a lot longer.  They turned out well. Everybody, especially those who like potatoes, enjoyed them.

Limbe Botanical Garden

It's a park, not a botanical garden. There is no signage, no tree name, no flowers, no attempt to educate. The site has a lot of potential though. A nice place to wander.

Limbe Wildlife Sanctuary

More of a zoo, than a wildlife sanctuary. The grounds are a bit rundown. This place need a complete renovation.  There a lot of different primate species including silver back apes, drill monkeys, and chimpanzees.  

Seme "Black Sand" Beach

Probably some of the softest sand I've ever felt. 

We paid 2000 CFA entrance.  Included a "free" beer. 

"Tracks"

Stefano's first time on a horse.

"Black Sand" Snowman

Stefano showing off his new swim suit for "sports illustrated" swim suit issue. 

Our taxi driving suggested this restaurant. The meal was very typical African - cassava greens, dried fish, meat and some fatty skin thing.  The starches included "fufu", rice, or white sweet potato potage.  Having already tried the other two previously, I ordered the rice.