Sadly I only stayed for a week at the African Village Hotel in Bakau.

With the help of all the info on this site I managed to do nearly almost what I set out to do.
I used the Bush taxis to go almost everywhere. Great fun. Using the info I went from Bakau via Serekunda to both Lamin Lodge and Abuko Nature Reserve. I gave almost a day to each and I am glad I did that. Finding the Bush Taxi garages is fun.

The only problem I had going to Lamin Lodge was the walk from where the Bush Taxi dropped me on the main highway. Quite a longish walk along sandy roads but well worth the effort.

I was so tired after lunching there etc and just lazing around that I did not really fancy the long walk along that difficult road. The waiter, a guy named Omar, suggested that it would cost 100 D by taxi to the highway. It was getting late in the afternoon and I managed to negotiate a fare with the taxi driver of 175D from Lamin Lodge to Bakau.

I am also glad I did because the President was using the Highway and everything was getting closed off -- the taxi managed to use many back roads etc to avoid it all.

Abuko Nature Reserve was an absolute MUST. I was the only visitor there the day I went. I saw lots of wildlife etc and actually saw a large crocodile try to get a Heron that was on the bank. A fascinating experience. Such wondrful colourful birds there. Many large Monitor Lizards wandering around as well. There is also a great animal orphanage worth a visit in there. Costs 35D to get in and worth every penny(or its equivalent!)

I really enjoyed wandering around Serrekunda market and spent a few hours 'people watching' whilst sipping cold drinks at Lanars Bar.

Trying to get a boat from Lamin Lodge to Dentons bridge was far too expensive so I missed out on that.

I had a great time using the ferry to get across to Barra. I did not get off in Barra but just returned with the same ferry. Amazing experience as well.

I then walked around in Banjul. A place I liked. Albert Market was also well worth wandering around in as well. I also got to Banjul from Bakau and back using the Bush Taxis.

A stroll along the road from Bakau to Cape point is also well worth doing. Only about 30 mins slow stroll. The fish market at Bakau was wonderful to see. More an experience. I just sat on the wall with the local women and just watched all that was happening.

I had to have a look at Sennegambia before I left. I got there from Serrekunda via Bush Taxi. The Serrekunda garage was a tad difficult to find but just asking solves many problems. I am so glad I was staying in Bakau and NOT Sennegambia. I did not like that place much at all.

I ate mostly at local small resturants around Bakau. McDomoros just up the road from African Village Hotel had great food at a very reasonable price. Great staff as well. Good place to watch English football as well. All the locals art mad keen on our football.

The African Village Hotel was just right for me. I loved it there. In my view it is the staff that really make the place what it is. There were also some great holidaymakers there as well and we all seemed to get on well.

Bumsters. Not really a poblem just an irritation. One was very aggressive to me near Bakau market at about 9pm one night. A quick about turn and back to the Hotel solved that. He certainly had a good command of the swear words in English. I kept away after dark from that particular place.

There were a few scams going on both at Lamin Lodge and Abuko. Wanting to me sign some sort of form to support a school or other things. A quick 'no thank-you' solved that. They may well have been genuine but somehow I doubt it. Anyway, being consistent about those things was the best way , in my opinion.

All in all, I had a great time. I would have to think seriously about how and to whom I recommend going to Gambia. People who are not 'streetwise' could come a cropper and have their holiday ruined.

I'm no expert as that was my first visit. But in my opinion it would be a pity to miss out on Lamin Lodge and Abuko. There are probably places that I should have gone to as well but, in my timescales, I did not want to do too much. The more you see the more you forget. That is my philosophy when travelling anyway. I reckon I got the balance about right. I still had time to chill etc in the Hotel.

Mind you, I was always up early about 6.30am. The best time of the day and yet missed by so many because they choose to lay in bed. What a waste.

Generally, I spent most evenings after my meals etc in the hotel as they put on some really good entertainment.

The Journey Back

As regards the flight. It was Viking Airlines. But I guess you get what you pay for. They were the only company operating charters to Banjul from UK at this time of the year. Anyway, they got me there and back and that was the important thing.

I didn't suffer any delays but the incoming/outgoing Tuesday flight was delayed 6 hours. But that could happen on any airline. The guys delayed going out were given a 250D voucher for food and drinks.

The transfers went smoothly as well both there and back. No crowds at the airport. Eating/drinking airside is very expensive. But what can you- if you want a bottle of water you have no alternative as you cannot take any through security. Airside large bottle water 90D , small 50D. Food- forget it.

What was comical for me in the departure lounge were the waiters. They MUST have the best job in Gambia. They came up to me wanting me to change their many many £1 coins into Dalasi or a £20 note. I played them at their game. I offered a £20 for 25 £coins or gave an excahnge rate of 25D to the £ to buy back. They are obviously very greedy and very spoilt. They want like for like or an rate of 40! Anyway, it was good fun for me passing the time away. They don't like it when the boot is on the other foot!!

Don't change money up at the airport. When I was there they offered 35D whereas at the hotel it was 38. A little place immediately outside the African Village offered 39 but I haggled a little bit and got 40 for my £20 note. Not a lot more but it is playing the system, I guess.

Pete