After seven sea days we arrived at the westernmost point of Africa – Dakar, Senegal. Big city with population of about 4.3 million. 95% Muslim. Green in the southern portion and savannah-like in the north. Our shore excursion started with a packed ferry boat ride out to Isle de Goree which is a World UNESCO site due to its history as a shipping port for slaves.

The big story at Goree is the slave trade action with the House of Slaves being restored and open for visitors like us. Slaves in chains were packed into rooms on the ground floor. Families were separated as their destinations were most often different. The keepers and handlers has nice quarters upstairs. The young gals were made available to the guards and if they got pregnant could avoid the trip to the Americas, which apparently was a preferred pathway for them.

Here’s a view of the upper and lower levels.

A room for the juveniles.

And the “Door of No Return” which was the last look at the African homeland for the slaves being shipped out.

Our guide gave us a very moving account of the history of slaves being shipped out of Africa, families separated, many deaths and concentration camp conditions for more than 300 years.

The quarters upstairs for the keepers looked very nice.

Here’s a view of the House of Slaves from the sea with the “Door of No Return” to the waiting ship.

We also toured the town. Lots of narrow streets.

Street vendors.

Baobab tree –

And a tour of a workshop of an artist making neat pictures using glue and different color sand.

We watched him make this piece in about 5 minutes.

Here are some of his wares for sale.

We walked across town to tour the Natural History Museum which was housed in the old fort.

Here’s a view from the fort of Dakar and our ship at the dock.

And a cute gal on the upper deck.

A statue out front

Lunch break included this fellow playing a 22-string “Koru”.

And then we’re off for a bus tour of Dakar. Here is a big mosque. Interesting to note that the Senegalese do not feel the need to wear the normal Muslim headgear.

And our final stop was for a look at the African Renaissance Monument. Very Big, and 198 steps in the heat to get a close look!

And now we’re off to the Canary Islands with a stop for touring at Tenerife.

Cheers,

Charlie and Marty