The Gambia - Currency
Discussion
I took a load of local currency with me just in case but needent have worried you're best off taking sterling and if you want the local stuff they will direct you to a little hut where the exchange rate is much better than you will get here.
It took a little while to come through after I'd ordered it and the woman at the post office wasn't too impressed with the smell of it when she had to count it out.
When we were there we ended up having a regular taxi driver to take us places in the week and when we were going out for day trips we had a private guide that sorted everything out. For these guys I really wished I had something better to tip them with, they really appreciate material goods which they would struggle to get over there. If I ever go back I'll be popping to sports direct and picking up a couple of the cheapest football shirts I can find to hand out to the people that help you out regularly, you have no idea how much they will appreciate it.
It took a little while to come through after I'd ordered it and the woman at the post office wasn't too impressed with the smell of it when she had to count it out.
When we were there we ended up having a regular taxi driver to take us places in the week and when we were going out for day trips we had a private guide that sorted everything out. For these guys I really wished I had something better to tip them with, they really appreciate material goods which they would struggle to get over there. If I ever go back I'll be popping to sports direct and picking up a couple of the cheapest football shirts I can find to hand out to the people that help you out regularly, you have no idea how much they will appreciate it.
We visited a few years ago and took with us note pads, pens, pencils, crayons, rulers etc. then went along to a local village school. Quite a humbling experience when you see the reaction to sometthing you just take for granted. We made sure we chose a village school that one of the resort workers family went to.
Also bought strips and a football for one of the guides football teams from a local village, cost next to nothing (in our terms) out there at the local market.
Had been invited by him to watch a local village derby match, that again made me appreciate what we have. Playing with no trainers, goals made out of trees / branches and balloons poking out the splits in the leather ball.
Also visited the family home where they had no running water and used a well down the road, all the family stayed in this small hut (mother / father, son daughter in law. / grandkids).
Have been to a lot of countries but found the Gambians to be some of the most genuine happy people I have met.
Very unlike other African countries.
Also bought strips and a football for one of the guides football teams from a local village, cost next to nothing (in our terms) out there at the local market.
Had been invited by him to watch a local village derby match, that again made me appreciate what we have. Playing with no trainers, goals made out of trees / branches and balloons poking out the splits in the leather ball.
Also visited the family home where they had no running water and used a well down the road, all the family stayed in this small hut (mother / father, son daughter in law. / grandkids).
Have been to a lot of countries but found the Gambians to be some of the most genuine happy people I have met.
Very unlike other African countries.
Broccers said:
Did you enjoy this?
We went years ago - frightened to go anywhere without the hotel guards to be honest.
Did got to senegal for the day tho - that was an eye opener - paradise island where they grow weed and sell you a bail for 20 quid.
we did enjoy it thank you, however we probably won't be going back.. not for quite a few years at least to see how it has changed. We went years ago - frightened to go anywhere without the hotel guards to be honest.
Did got to senegal for the day tho - that was an eye opener - paradise island where they grow weed and sell you a bail for 20 quid.
We didn't venture up country much, or to Senegal as we wanted to chill out, but when we did go out we generally did so without a guide. You do get hassled a lot, we snapped twice in 2 weeks, but that's part and parcel of it all - and after a few days they tend to remember you so you don't have to listen to the whole spiel again and again.
On the whole they were a very friendly bunch once you got past the bluster.
One of the disappointments of the trip was the food. Having been to a fair few places throughout Africa, and having eaten very well in even the least accessible and poorest regions, the food in The Gambia was standard burger and chips tourist fare unless you were prepared to travel out, and pay for, the few very good restaurants that are around (The Butcher's Shop in Fajara springs to mind).
On the upside, Dan did meet a policeman outside the British Embassy on the one morning that I didn't fancy venturing out, and he got an email just before Christmas to say that his wife had had a baby boy a couple of weeks before and they'd named him Daniel after him.. so that was nice!
Ahh.
We did have a nice curry when dining out one day that was it back in 2005.
My other half gave most of my clothes away on the beach.
Charlie the crocodile has probably died by now, that was another highlight.
All in all very rubbish unless you are an old female bid finding a young boy to 'sponsor' wink wink
We did have a nice curry when dining out one day that was it back in 2005.
My other half gave most of my clothes away on the beach.
Charlie the crocodile has probably died by now, that was another highlight.
All in all very rubbish unless you are an old female bid finding a young boy to 'sponsor' wink wink
Take Sterling, whisky and clothes you don't need to bring back as you will be giving them away to your local guide instead of a tip. (guide will keep you from being hassled) Get a regular taxi guy to run you about night & day for £10.00 a day. Take Pens & Pencils and Sweets for the kids and everyone will love you. If visiting Banjul Guiness brewery, drink the lager but not the Guiness as it is sh!t.
drfrank said:
A truly shocking place to go ! Terrible food, hassle dreadful, corrupt
Never going back !
I went there many years ago when tourism was taking off. Went back several years later and there was a Coup just after we left!Never going back !
If you want a beach holiday then it's OK if you stick to the hotel beach/pool area where the natives are not allowed access. (Kenya now similiar and sail fishing from Hemmingways doesn't get any better, but you're not going there.)
The funniest sight was the hotel security patrolling the grounds at night with clubs and a bow and arrow!
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff