Banana Island Tour (Video)

Earlier this year, I joined a diverse group of Sierra Leoneans on the annual Visit Sierra Leone end of year tour of Banana Island. We took a calm 20 minute canoe ride from Kent Beach over to Banana for a day of sight seeing, history, and palm wine tasting. The tour was taped as an episode of the Vickie Remoe Show and will air on Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation TV in October. Thanks to Bimbola Carrol for helping us make this happen.

Rogbonko Retreat, TribeWanted and Tokey Sands–great new options for a break from Freetown

Delighted to highlight three new developments in the tourism industry which are adding to what we have to offer our clients. All three are different a different which is nice, because it allows us to cater to diverse tastes.
Rogbonko takes you furthest away from Freetown but it’s still not far and it allows you to get a taste of the countryside. It is described as “an initiative intended to generate interest in rural Sierra Leone, and to educate visitors and local people alike in the importance of traditional values.” Set up by Sheka Forna, he was driven by a desire to offer the neighbouring villages an opportunity for additional revenue.
Rogbonko Mathaka is in Kholifa Rowallah Chiefdom in the heart of Tonkolili District in northern Sierra Leone.

The village is about 5 miles from the Magbass Sugar Plantation which is an interesting operation in itself. Once in the village, you can choose to go walking, bird watching, take a trip on a dug-out canoe, or just lie down. A percentage of all revenue goes back to the community. You can go to the Bumbuna Falls either to or from Rogbonko, best you take some sandwiches and make a picnic of it. The falls are most effective around the rainy season. You can also choose to spend a night in Makeni.
Tribewanted is unlike anything we’ve experienced in Sierra Leone. Set up at John Obey beach, the initiative aims to create and eco village and provide sustainable development in the area. The idea is that adventure tourists would book a holiday to the very beautiful John Obey beach and volunteer their time to help build the resort whilst there. Initially, the tourists camped but the first accommodation facilities have now been built. Working is not compulsory though, you could just lie on the beach for a week if that is what you want. It is non-profit and also gives back to the community in terms of job creation  and micro finance opportunities.

The members of the project team are keen for more people in Sierra Leone to go over to John obey and experience the work being done there. Obviously, you’re looking to get away so no one is going to ask you to put on construction gear and start building. You’ll have to spend at least three nights.
Tokeh! Personally, I’m happy to see this symbol of Sierra Leone’s tourism history being risen from the ashes. It’s one of those beaches that just sells itself and for far too long it’s been in a slumber while it’s sister next door (River Number 2 beach) has been in the spotlight as the beach to visit on weekends. After trying to find funding for the rebirth of the Africana Tokeh Village with little (and slow) progress, Tokeh has been brought by to life by Issa Basma and his baby, Tokeh Sands. As I understand it, Tokeh Sands is the first phase of a much bigger project and it’s already a popular choice for weekend breaks. With prices for accommodation starting at $40 per night, it offer very good value for money.

There are opportunities to go jet skiing, boat trips, fishing, or crocodile spotting.

So there, absolutely no reason why you cannot get away from Freetown for the odd weekend. All of these facilities are new with exciting offerings. To book a visit please contact us with your requirements. Go on! Have a break!

Thank you Baindu at Palladio Restaurant…

Sierra Leone is an amazing country. Also one where things often do not go according to plan. With this considered it’s always interesting how things can work out at the last minute, or how someone can say or do something that lifts your mood or restore your faith at the very moment you’re looking to rip someone’s head off.

I lunched at Palladio for the first time only a few weeks ago, and I’ve been back on average once a week. Yes, I admit – for the Friday buffet if I can make it. Their food is quite good, but I have also been constantly impressed with their service. Even though not perfect, it is consistently good and the staff don’t make you feel they’re doing you a favour by serving you.

Palladio put on an special Independence Buffet and for something like Le70k you get to not only eat till your heart’s content but also receive Independence Anniversary merchandise like pens, shirts and the like. So, I took my hungry self down there on the day, admittedly a bit late for lunch but still paid the full price to get in. I was quite disappointed to find the buffet table half empty. I mentioned this to the lady at the door (Baindu) and she promised me I would get what was due. All my independence merchandise and free lunch! I thought she was kidding actually… until they called me up to ask when i would be picking up the merchandise. Huh? Is this Salone?

So last Friday, I went down there and true to form she was on hand to give me my hats and pens.. and even though I didn’t ask for my free lunch she made sure she informed the waitress lunch was to be excluded from my bill. I mean, really. Is this Salone?

In truth she gave me more than that. Being in the hospitality industry and knowing how far short service falls most of the time, she gave me hope that all was not lost in the industry. If we can have many more of her scattered in other restaurants and hotels then we will be well on our way.

So, if you know Baindu.. tell her she made someone’s day, so much so I’m telling the world… and she should be proud of it. Don’t be trying to angle a free lunch though

Patriotism is for life, not just for Independence

It’s 50 years since Sierra Leone won the right to decide its own destiny, or at least that's what we thought at the time. It’s never that straightforward is it? One of the most frequently asked questions in recent months in relation to the anniversary (right up there with - how much for fireworks!?) is undoubtedly “what is there to celebrate?”. I answer that later.

I have been impressed with the amount of Sierra Leoneans that came home for the holidays and Independence celebrations. Welcome home. Sorry about the traffic, dust and road works - we are a work in progress. Before you complain, remember those of us who have to put up with this daily. After all, we’re building the roads you complain about being non-existent.

Seriously though, it has been nice to see so many long lost friends. I have also noted that we have a lot of visitors who have not been to Sierra Leone for a long time. Spoke to a friend yesterday who’s sister left when she was 2 and it visiting for the first time, now 26. Another lady in church confessed this was her first time in over 30 years.

What I have really liked too, is the show of patriotism and flying of the flag. Some even went as far as to spray their cars in the colours of the flag. Nice. Houses, hand bands, flags, t-shirts, spray paints, necklaces you name it. We draped the front of the office with our own flag too. I hope we all can continue this show of national solidarity which if it is the first consideration in when we make decisions then Sierra Leone can really move 50 years forward. Fast. The pessimist in me is inclined to think that come next week it will be business as usual.

For now though, it’s all about fun, let’s enjoy the moment. Even Easter fell rather nicely around the anniversary resulting in a week of public holidays. Thank you God.

What do we have to celebrate? We’re not independent in the true sense of the word and our country is still faced with huge challenges. True, but if we look back at our nation’s recent history, where we are now and what some of our brothers and sisters in the continent are currently going through (e.g Ivory Coast and Libya) I’m pretty sure we can find reasons to be thankful.

We may not be truly independent but we are free, and in a country that we do not need an excuse for a party it’s good to have a legitimate reason to have one.

Happy 50th Independence Anniversary everyone!

The Beach Bar is dead. Long Live The Beach Bar!

I remember in 2008 when there was a whole pallava about these bars being demolished. A family member who I thought was being a sceptic at the time simply said, “Den go build all back”. Yes folks, true to form… the Beach Bars are back. I still struggle to understand why ALL of the bars had to be knocked down. I would be pretty pissed off by now if I owned one of those bars. But in Sierra Leone, I’m not sure where they can turn for help.

My biggest issue with the demolition was the manner in which it was done. I even later admitted that the beach looked nice with no bars. From the moment Roy’s Restaurant constructed their wooden platform on that side of the beach, the place has become littered with various bars once again. I still struggle to understand why all those bars had to be knocked down, but this is Sierra Leone I guess so I'm not going to spend too much mental energy on that.

 

So for those who missed the beach bars, they’re back! From Roy’s to Plan B, to King David’s or Taia Resort’s “Ban Ki-moon’s gardens” (go figure); there are a lot of options to keep you busy on weekends.

For a bit of backdrop see:

With the Beach Bars gone…can somebody at least turn on the lights?

So what do you think of the beach bars situation?