Good Day – October 25th
However, when I meant for the 24th, I came back in time for some live music. There was a band playing at a hotel — it was a Friday night, and it was amazing fun to have some live music there, with Eric Clapton–type tunes from that era. That made for a great closure to the day.
Heading to Bonjeule
For the 25th, we intended to go and see Bonjeule. I also wanted to get a better idea about the ferry that we didn’t take. So we took off to Bonjeule, about 15 kilometers away, and drove around the harbor a bit. We took a road that didn’t lead to anything we were looking for, so we opted to turn around.
There was a great spot to do that — or so it seemed. The only thing there was a huge truck and trailer, which appeared to be just parked. I started driving close to it to make the turn, and, glory be, the moment we were almost behind it, it started backing up! It came to about less than a meter — maybe three feet — from the car. A scary, hairy moment. Leaning on the horn helped, and thankfully there was no other traffic. It was just a very crazy thing. We were able to turn around and continue on — a moment we won’t forget.
Exploring Banjul, The Gambia
Then we headed to town. Banjul is a relatively small place, but it’s the capital of The Gambia. We found a place to park, and of course someone came up and started talking — and before we knew it, we had a walking tour! The person happened to be an engineer working for the port, so he knew exactly how to get to the ferry, just a few blocks away. He got us through the gates, and there was a ferry there — so we were able to go aboard and see what we had missed earlier. A pretty awesome thing to experience.
New Friends and WhatsApp Connections
Our guide’s last name was Fau. During the tour, his daughter called him, and somehow I ended up speaking with her — I had no idea what was going on, but it was fun. He asked for my phone number, and I gave it to him. Later, his daughter, Mustafa Fau, reached out on WhatsApp. She’s a 24-year-old nursing student, and we’ve been conversing in English. It’s always so fun how these unexpected connections happen — I never even learned her father’s first name, but hey, it’s all part of the adventure!
The Markets of Banjul
We moved the car and parked close to the market. If you ever want to see a diverse market — that’s the one. The tourist season there was just beginning. One of the market masters approached us, and a friend of his took us all around. The market was divided into sections — fascinating, colorful, and lively. Not necessarily the kind of place you’d want to eat from what’s cooking or being butchered, but utterly fascinating nonetheless. So many spices and vegetables, many of which I didn’t even recognize, all explained with enthusiasm. Eventually, we made it to the tourist section, where everyone wanted us to see their stalls and, of course, buy something. It was a really good time.
Beach Walks and Ocean Swims
Eventually, we returned to the hotel. I continued the routine I’d started the day before — walking along the beach to where the muddy river no longer interfered, and swimming in the ocean. The warning flag was yellow, meaning not to go deeper than the waist, but the water was fine. I swam, enjoyed the waves, and then relaxed by the pool. A perfect way to end the afternoon.
Drums, Dance, and a Gambian Wedding
The evening brought another surprise — this time, drums! The drumming and dancing were absolutely amazing, with a group of about ten performers. We didn’t have to do anything; they were just there, and we were lucky to be there too. It was vibrant, energetic, and joyful.
Later, we learned that the drumming was part of a wedding celebration — a big group of about thirty-two people from Belgium. The bride was Belgian, the groom Gambian. The story went that the bride’s great-grandmother shared how the young woman had lost her first husband just sixteen months earlier and now had a child. A complicated story, but beautiful in its way — and the music made it all the more special.
Closing Thoughts
It was an unforgettable day — from live music to near misses, new friends, market adventures, ocean swims, and incredible drumming. Thanks for coming along, and hopefully, you’ll hear the music someday too.
