My 91st country visited. This is also the last new country for us on this trip. So, we were docked on the port side when I got out of the shower. It was still dark. I got up around 6 am and we were sailing near enough land to see miles of streetlights. Dakar is a huge city of over 2 million and a former French colonial capital. Senegal has been independent since about 1960. Most of what we saw was built by the French before they left. It is in bad shape. Education just became mandatory in the 2000's. Unemployment is about 60 % and the average age is 20. 90 % of the population is Muslim and 10 % is Christian and everyone gets along. They are proud to be a stable democracy. French is still the official language. Dakar sits on the western-most point of land on the African continent. In fact, it is a fish hook-shaped peninsula. That explains how we watched the sun rise over what looked like the Atlantic Ocean this morning on the starboard side of the ship. We were on the inside of the fish hook facing east over a large bight or bay. It is the dry season here now, also known as tourist season. Their primary industries here are fishing followed by tourism. I get fishing but I don't get tourism. It was cool and windy and sunny here today so not too unpleasant. Pasted below is our tour description.
EXCURSION $89
DAKAR DISCOVERY
President’s Palace, Soumbedioune handcraft
market, Dakar University, Monument of the African Renaissance and sand-painting
gallery.
LEVEL
MODERATE
WALKING TYPE
MEDIUM
DURATION
4½ HOURS
This sightseeing excursion affords an
introduction to the colorful and culturally diverse city of Dakar.
Departing the pier aboard your motor coach,
venture through Independence Square slowly passing for photographs the
President’s Palace and its uniformed guards.
Continuing on, enjoy more sights of the city,
including the National Assembly, the Cathedral, the picturesque Medina district
and the Great Mosque. Opened in 1964 by Hassan II, King of Morocco, the mosque
is one of the most important religious buildings in Senegal.
Another highlight of your outing is the
Millennium Door. Located on the Corniche of Dakar, the large, modern monument –
as the name suggests – was constructed in the year 2000 and features a door in
its middle.
Soon, you will arrive at Soumbedioune handcraft
market, where you will have a chance to walk through its crowded aisles and
hunt for bargains.
Next, your motor coach will weave its way through
the residential district of Fann, featuring new Senegalese architectural style,
and stop at the University to offer a look at the school’s famous library.
An additional photo stop is afforded at the
Monument of the African Renaissance. Slated to be inaugurated in March of 2010,
the large bronze statue was begun in 2006 and depicts a man holding a child,
who points to the sea, and a woman with hair blowing in the wind. Somewhat
controversial, the statue has been labeled “Stalinist” and cost $27 million to
build. Critics’ opinions aside, the monument surely is impressive.
After marveling at the monument, travel to your
next destination, a sand-painting gallery. Gain insights into the sand-painting
process and admire finished works before returning to your Crystal ship.
Guests should be aware that Senegal is a
developing country with parts of Dakar offering sub-standard services and
infrastructure. Experienced travelers recommend using caution with personal
items, especially when walking through crowded areas. It is advisable not to
wear jewelry or take unnecessary personal items ashore. Guests should guard
wallets and purses vigilantly. Guests should also be aware that while colorful
and interesting, Dakar's marketplaces are populated by vendors who sell very
aggressively. It is recommended that guests wear flat, comfortable shoes. The
order of sights visited may vary.
The tour was not exactly as described. We visited the Kermel market which mostly sells fish and meat along with some produce. We did not visit the handcraft market listed above. We drove by Sandaga Market but did not stop. We did not stop at the Millennium Door monument. We got off the bus 5 times, at the fish market, a cathedral, in Yoff, at the sand painting gallery/toilet stop and at the Monument of the African Renaissance. We spent most of the morning sitting in traffic on the bus and I think most of us found that a relief. The bulk of our time was spent getting to, from and at Yoff. What's that you may ask, as I did, since it is not listed on our tour. Well it is a small neighboring village, or suburb if you will, that is home to the Lebou people who are the area's original inhabitants. We went for them to perform some songs and dances for us and then pass a hat. So, we know the collection was the reason for taking us there. What is not answered is why it wasn't included in the description so we could choose it, or not. As Ken Rees, our destination lecturer, is fond of saying "There you have it". I should note that Crystal ran a half-hourly complimentary shuttle from the port to Kermel Market according to Reflections from 9 am to 4:30 pm. I have no idea why since there was nothing but fresh food there for sale and of little to no need by Serenity's crew or passengers.We'll be here all day. We hope the cargo ship parked across from us isn't but it looks like they will be. They block our entire view including most of the sky. Their engines/generators running are so loud the floor of our cabin is vibrating and their exhaust plume is overwhelming us. Not a great stop and here 'til 10pm now!
Tonight is another casual night though they are having the Crystal White Extravaganza after dinner. We'll skip that. Last night Clay insisted we go up to stargazing a half hour early so he could play with the Chief Electrical Engineer's favorite star app. Didn't work. The deck lights were still on and the wind was blowing so hard that you couldn't stand in place. We didn't last to 9 pm so no idea if the Milky Way was visible after the lights were turned off. I don't know if they'll have stargazing again this cruise.
Tonight we move the clocks back 1 hour on our way to Cape Verde, which were now supposed to call Cabo Verde. After that I suspect we'll have to give back some of those extra hours as we head back east toward Monte Carlo and the end of the World Cruise.
Photos
