Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Red cars drive faster

There is only one word to describe driving in
this part of the world.... CRAZY!

Bumper cars is a national sport that even our crew kombi seems to participate in.




The taxicabs (which don't look road worthy) in Abidjan are colour coded. Outside the city you will find yellow taxis. In certain areas you will see green ones and in the city only the red taxis are allowed to drive (which naturally makes them more expensive) . Therefore the myth that red cars drive faster has been busted!



The pollution index.... Abidjan's air is unhealthy primarily due all the taxicabs and buses using very low-grade fuel. Also there are little stands along the road where people burn charcoal and the general method of dealing with the piles of rubbish is fire. There is a lot of environmentally irresponsible behaviour here... sadly the West African pollution doesn't even make a spectacular sunset!


Fruity People







Feasting on Fish

Les and Sean outside the fish 'shop'........

I don't know if i would have had the courage to buy fish from the side of the road but fortunately Sean used to own a restaurant in Cape Town so he knows a fresh fish when he sees one.




After getting a fish show.... we bought a Dorade for 4000CFA (about R56)
Isn't he a pretty fish? I'm sure he will taste delicious.


BEFORE


IN BETWEEN


Our chef: Ernest
AFTER



Bon appetit!
The yellow foodstuff on my plate is plantain... its a cooked banana which almost tastes like sweet potato in a funny way. I can't explain it so you will have to come and have some!


Thursday, 15 March 2007

Let me introduce you to the gang

Sean, Natalie, Mladen, Shane, Les, Mannie, Jaco and me around the dinner table.

Absent : Oliver, Yan, Eugene, Stan and Mohammed

Bassam, Ivory Coast







Now why would I want to buy that revolting snake skin?





Meet the Crew...





Me !







Our Captain Sean O'Conner





Sean and Gerhard de Klerk

Sibu, the dude

Andrew Dunbar

Andrew, Frans and Quintin baking on the apron

My Abidjan home


Welcome to the crew house.... Our lovely kitchen... My room with great aircon.


My room is the one left of the window covered by the palm tree ---^

View from my room.

The street the crew house is in.