Hi Wendy,

my partner has just told me that he asked about hiring a fridge from someone at the hotel who had already done so and they were paying in the region of £5 per day, there were also TV's available for hire but don't know how much these worked out at. I too have had a look through all of my holiday "bumph" but couldn't find an email address for the hotel. When we were out in Dec we had been warned that it could get cool in the evenings but to be honest I never found that to be the case, and ended up wearing strappy tops etc at night and found it really still warm, only time I did wear a light cardi was when we ate down at the beach in the evening as the wind coming from the sea was quite fresh that night but as soon as I came off the beach to walk back to the hotel the cardi had to come off cos' it was lovely and warm again.
Hope this helps some
Scruffyish

Hi all
thanks for all your replies. Nice to hear from you again Scruffyfish.
I found a link on Thomas Cook website where you can contact them and
make queries, so have emailed them with queries re: fridge, and luggage
allowance. Re: Luggage allowance of 15KG. On their hidden website page in Q&A section, they state that normal luggage allowance is 20KG.
This is reduced to 15KG for 'late deals' i.e. holidays booked 10 - 12 weeks
prior to departure, and allocation on arrival deals etc.
So - by my reckoning as we booked 18 weeks before departure its not a late deal and we aren't allocation on arrival - we should have the normal 20KG allowance. I have raised this point with TC in my email.
We shall have to see!!!!
As for the fridge £5 a day - will ask hubby how much does he need to keep supply of beers cold! Might have to wait to find out if we can get a fridge anyway.
We are in a bungalow room, think they have a TV already. Do they have a ceiling fan does anyone know?
Weather - Really hope its hot I do like to sunbathe and swim.
Don't mind if its cooler in the evenings - more comfortable but didn't
anticipate having to take warm clothes! - also problem if only 15KG allowance.
Thats it for now.
ONLY 21 DAYS TO GO NOW
Will let you know what TC say re my queries.
thanks again
Wendy

Hi Wendy,

not long till you go now...............you must be getting really excited.......I know I would be!!
We upgraded to a bungalow room for our 2nd week at the Palma Rima but it did not have a TV neither did our friends next door which makes me think that they are not supplied as standard, as for a ceiling fan, unfortunately they don't have these in the Bungalow rooms (only in the Pool rooms because they don't have A/C) the Bungalow rooms all had A/C units fitted but these worked out at approx £9 a day , however because the Bungalow rooms had intact Mosquito netting over the windows (the pool rooms netting had giant holes!!) we just left a couple of windows partly open at night and found it really comfortable for sleeping. To be honest I don't think you'll have too much trouble getting a fridge at the hotel on arrival because not many people who were there at the same time as us even knew they could hire one, I think when we go back we will definitely hire one because there really is nothing nicer than sitting on your verandah with a cold Julbrew...................Oh, I'm so jealous!!
PS, don't know if you are a wine drinker but they had really cheap litre cartons of wine at the little shop on on the left-hand side of the road on the way to the beach (less than 100 metres from hotel, think it was called "Asda" !!)
Have a great time
Scruffyish

Hi there
thanks for your reply. Yes getting very excited now.
Pleased we should be able to keep windows open at night, that
should be enough. Don't need TV really.
Fridge might be necessary luxury, as you say cold beer on the
verandah and yes I am a wine person, so will definitely check out
that Asda.
How far walking is it to the beach in minutes ?
I have read somewhere that there is a side entrance/gate at the back of the hotel where you
can take a short cut to the beach road (to avoid the front entrance
and the bumsters) Did you use find this?
bye for now
Wendy

Hi Wendy,

In theory the beach is just a few mins stroll away, but nothing in Gambia ever takes just a couple of minutes !! By the time you say hello and shake hands with just about everyone you meet on the way it can take considerably longer.............but as I say it really isn't far away at all. The "back" gate is situated by the side of the pool rooms but it remained locked for the duration of our holiday and to be honest didn't look as though it had been in use for some time. It's true that all of the Bumsters etc hang out by the hotel gates but as long as you don't promise them anything (ie, saying "maybe tomorrow" or similar) they will accept that you don't want or need them, and will just be happy to pass the time of day with you. If one of them does become persistent and try to get you to do something that you just don't want to then the best advice I can give is be direct and never make any promises to them for future dates, it took us a few days to be able to say NO without feeling uncomfortable about it but as long as you can remain polite no offense will be taken.
Hope this helps
Bye for now
Scruffyish
PS. Let us know how you get on with your luggage aloowance because I was aware that for "last minute" bookings the carrier reduced the allowance but can't see why this should apply to you as you have been booked for some time now.

Does anyone who stayed at Palma Rima remember seeing a hotel virtually next door called Bakadaji Hotel.
Supposed to be set in 9 acres of lawns and very reasonably priced (Although I might feel differently after I have seen it) !!

I have booked this place independantly so any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Hi there
This map might help - link below. Its a map of area around Palma Rima Hotel. Its shown as a restaurant on the map though.

http://www.gambia.co.uk/choosing_your_holiday/images/PalmaRima_area.pdf

regards
Wendy

Hi All - only 5 days to go now - 3 more days at work and then packing.
Can't wait.
We managed to get TC to request a fridge for us - so might get one.

Also had a bit of a battle with TC customer service re 15kg luggage allowance. They said we had booked a 'Dealz' holiday not a 'Late Dealz' holiday, and we had agreed to 'supplementary booking conditions' when we booked online. I argued that we didn't but they couldn't prove it either way. However my argument was that there was no mention of this in any correspondence or invoices. To cut a long story short, a very nice customer service person agreed in that the spirit of goodwill - if we are charged for extra 5 kg up to 20kg to pay, keep the receipts, send them to TC and they will refund us. They did add that we probably will not be charged excess!

The morale to this story is to very carefully check booking conditions, and if not satisfied query it.
I did point out to them that they should detail supp booking conditions like
lower luggage allowance etc in their confirmation invoices etc.

Anyway - alls well that ends well - I stand a better chance of packing all my essentials with a 20kg allowance (will still be a struggle!)

I notice that the temperature in Gambia is creeping up - GREAT - hotter the better and not too chilly at night!!!
Thats it - Caz and Dave see you there, we might bump into each other.

Will do a report when we get back.

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

Wendy

Wendy
Have a lovely time - hope to see you there if only for one day!
Really hope you enjoy it
Carolyn

Hi Carolyn
Thanks - yes might see you in a bar or 2 thought you were there
from 9th - 16th?
Hope you Have a great time
Wendy

Thanks Wendy
Yes we had a fantastic time as always. Met up with many friends and also made some new ones - both Gambian and English.
The weather was a bit strange as there was a sandstorm blowing over from the Sahara. This made it very hazy but still managed a good tan.
Some planes could not land and had to be diverted to Lanzarote - Wendy hope you were not on one of these
We had some fantastic food as usual - plus much Julbrew of course
The only bad part was finding out that one of our friends died last year a few days after we came home. He had been in hospital but signed himself out as he needed to work to pay his rent. He died of kidney failure. So sad as he was a lovely man
We will definitely be back to the Gambia as soon as possible. Love to try new places but i think this is a place that we will continue to visit if we can

Booked again yesterday for 11th December for a week at the Palma Rima.
Got a really good price from Thomas Cook - £252 each and thats with an upgrade to the bungalow rooms.
Such a good deal our son and his girlfriend have also booked tonight and also our friends - hope they like it! I'm sure they will

we stayed here a few years ago now. we met a lovely couple from Chester whom we still send Xmas cards too.

We had a top floor room and we stayed there in March.

the entertainment team - The A team were really good and they encourage you to go and watch them rehearse.

Food was fine - drink was Ok Weather was good and we had a lovely time.

Take sweets/any childrens things as there are plenty who would be glad of them, pens and paper too.

Jan

Hi there
Well we have been back home a week now, getting over shock of being back at work, and unfortunately husband had what we thought was 'Banjul Belly' for second week of holiday but it got worse when we got home and it turns out to be Amoebic Dysentery!!!! Which is very nasty and he has been signed off work for at least a week as its contagious. Thankfully I had a mild bout of 'Banjul Belly' in first week but got over it like you usually do.

Anyway - trip report Palma Rima, Kololi.
Better start with HYGIENE
I took with us hand wipes and used them up very quickly. As many of the restaurants don't have any running water, you can't flush the toilet and wash your hands!!!! I strongly suggest therefore that you take
the new antibacterial hand lotion. the type you rub in and don't wash off.
Like they use in hospitals, Sainsburys now sell it.
The money (notes) are filthy most of germs are there I think.
So be fastidious about washing your hands before eating, etc.
I had ice my drinks and was Ok, the water is clean but high mineral content which can upset tummys so we drank bottled water.
AIRPORT
Some of you might recall the who-ha we had with our holiday baggage allowance - only 15kg. Well despite trying very hard to keep it to a minimum we were over, andwe got charged excess by a very officious
TC check in person, who made us open our cases and put hand baggage in main cases which put us even more over!!! Cost us £120!!!!!
They said because the plane was full and lots of others were charged.
Iv'enever had to do this before, very embarrassing when other people behind you in queue watching.
Anyway on the way back thankfully they aren't botheredin Banjul check in so wasn't charged again.
The flight was Ok, very cramped. We didn't know before hand about the sandstorm day before, but was worried to find a thick haze when we arrived, very hot and very humid. But it took 3 days before the sky cleared. By 5th day had blue skys and non stop sunshine. Was hot
in day and cooler in evenings.
HOTEL
The hotel was very nice - we had bungalow room 6A which was near the pool. Despite not intending to, we did pay for air-con cos it was so humid for first few days, then decided to keep it for the duration. Very expensive cost £10 per day!!! but it worked well. Also hired a fridge
£5 per day, but this meant we could stock up on beers and wine from local supermarket ASDA very cheap and not have to pay extra at hotel rates when we stayed by pool or before we went out in the evenings.
We only stayed by the pool 2 days, was nice as not too busy but much
preferred the wonderful beaches.

Our room was kept very clean byt the room boy, but they do keep coming to your room from early morning, to get and change towels etc
and then for a chat if you are about. The staff are very keen on making friends with you - not used to that and found it a bit trying at times.

TIPPING
We found its best to tip at the end of the day if you spend day at the pool
and buy drinks etc. They are very good at saying they don't have the correct change and then they forget vto give it to you later. But basically they all appeared very honest and were keen to please.
The hotel was very queit not many people, so the entertainment team had nothing to do. This pleased us as we prefer that but felt sorry for families with children, they were bored. I would say that Gambia is not a good place for children unless you go on lots of trips which they might enjoy.
MALARIA TABLETS AND MOZZIES
We took the expensive ones Malarone, some of our group took the
Vibramycin - Doxycycline. which can cause sensitivity to sunlight and boy did they suffer, they got very burnt and this spoilt there holiday
they had to stop taking on medical advice. So don't take these.
BUMSTERS
It was fairly quiet whilst we there end of season and quieter than normal we were told. So it wasn't too bad, but we were followed walking to the beaches and had to be firm. After the first week they didn't bother us at all. However, some of our group seemed to get bothered more than others a young couple and they felt so intimidated they stayed in hotel most of the time. I noticed some of the young pool waiter boys trying to negotiate the couple taking them him out for the night,and they were having trouble saying NO you have to be firm.
We never felt in danger, it felt quite safe to walk about. You have to be careful though as frequent power cuts and when it gets dark it GETS DARK, never been in such a blackout , so take a torch.

NIGHTLIFE
Hmm! well there are a few restaurants and bars close to the Palma Rima
and a few more in the Senegambia strip a 3 min taxi ride away.
We ate at the hotel on first night and decided not to bother again.
Apart from anything the hotel was dead no atmosphere. So we went out every night. Must have visited every restaurant and bar. Senegambia strip great for people watching sat in roadside bar. Quite hedonistic!!!
best restaurants - Asian (not chinese) Scala (Danish I think, very nice.
African Queen for cocktails and atmosphere people watching BUT worse toilets no water!!!! Ali Babas again for drinks and poeple watching but food looked basic.
CASH MACHINE !!!!
there are only 2, the main one in Standard Bank in Senegambia broke down and run out of money frequently. We took travellers cheques which we quickly used up, then had to rely on cash point. It got a bit desperate
at one point having to make a regular trip into town each morning for 4 mornings to see if they had fixed cash point andthey hadn't. Then when they did there was a massive queue. So advice take plenty of travellers cheques or english money to change no problem changing these.
Many restaurants and bars do not take credit cards.

FOOD
The local dishes were good, but limited in range. Great for seafood and fish. Luigis Itlaian near Palma Rima very good food but small portions and expensive forn portion size. Mexican restaurant in Kotu very nice
lovely setting but again portion size mean and expensive.
Our best meals were in our favourite beach bar Kuntah Kinta which is
a 10 minute walk along the beach, turn right when you hit the beach down from Plam Rima. We spent every day here, great food and cheap
great service and freesunbeds, they bring drinks and food to your sunbed
if you want then you settle up your bill for the day before you leave.
Great beach here.
On our last day we went along to have a look at the Palm Beach Hotel next to Kuntah Kinta, it looked nice with sea view rooms. A security guard showed us round, you would have thought we were buying the hotel the attention we got. He showed us some of the rooms and the seaview rooms, and introduced us to the manager!!! Anyway decided that if we go back will defintely stay there,, lovely spot.

Do go to the Evening Barbecue at Kuntah Kinta restaurant Wednesdays or Sundays, great food only 250 dalasi per person (£5.00) and a great dance and music show.
We made friends with one of theboys who works at Kuntah Kinta called Mali, he was great and looked after us so well. he showed us short cut from beach back to Palma Rima via track, and walked all the way with us.
he never asked us for anything, money or our home address like most of them did, and gave us a wooden cat figure on our last day.
BEACHES
Miles and miles of white sand. The sea was quite rough on some days, big breakers, but lovely and warm.
And always a nice breeze to keep you cool. Great for just walking a beachcombing, amazing shells to collect.

SUMMARY
We are glad we went there, never been anywhere like it before.
Felt uncomfortable at times, so much poverty. Enjoyed ourselves
because we made the best of it and didn't expect too much.
Would we go back? yes and would enjoy ourselves more I think
go out on some more trips and explore. BUT won't be going back
for a while so many more places to see. GOA next I think.

Hope this has been helpful to some of you, please do get back to me for any more information or advice.
best regards
Wendy and Ian

Hi,

Many thanks for such a detailed report
Mark

Hi Wendy,

What an absolutely brilliant report, brought back some great memories too!!
Am really glad that you had a good time and met some genuine Gambians and know exactly what you mean about feeling uncomfortable at times. We would definitely go back but like you it won't be in the next couple of years cos' we are trying Goa too next year.
I'm really sorry to hear that your husband is so ill, must be awful for him, but hopefully he will start to feel better soon.
Thanks again for the excellent report, it made excellent reading.
Yvonne

Hi Yvonne
Thanks for your reply and kind words. Yes husband is getting better now
thanks. Very nasty illness, but thankfully it didn't spoil our holiday.
Will be better prepared next time, lots of antibacterial handwash etc.
and Hopefully won't need Malaria tablets for GOA.
best wishes
Wendy

Wendy
Glad that you enjoyed the Gambia and met some nice people. Sorry to hear your husband hasnt been well. Is it something he contracted out there? Hope he is much better soon
The hotel was quite busy when we arrived but was a lot quieter as we left.
We have booked to go back in December- managed to get a week for £252 and that was an upgrade to the bungalows so couldnt resist it!
Have you booked for Goa yet? We are going to the Phoenix Park in Candolim on 27th February - may see you there?
Carolyn

Has anyone stayed here. Was originally looking to book the Sennegambia in Kololio but from research in books and the web am thinking about the Palma Rima now as it sounds like it is in a quieter area but you can still walk to Kololio for more life -any I right - any tips? This is for mid-April next year.