Leaving Tegbi with Julius
Good day. December 15th. It’s time to leave Tegbi with Julius, but not before he shows me around a little bit.
We ended up at the end of his road, watching fishermen lined up along the shore, chanting as they pulled in nets set out in the sea. I didn’t get to film it because I wanted to be respectful and not intrude.
Fishing Chants and Community Work
It was a fascinating thing to witness. The nets were set out in the ocean, and the fishermen were pulling in fish from both sides in rhythm. After that, we headed further down past Keta to a waterfront development that Julius had a hand in.
He’s continuing the work his dad once did in the neighborhood, helping get things accomplished and contributing to the community in meaningful ways.
Fort Prinzenstein
We then visited Fort Prinzenstein, a crumbling remnant of the slave trade. Maybe one day it will be restored, but for now it stands as a difficult reminder of things that should never have happened.
Goodbyes and the Road to Togo
After bringing Julius back home, it was time to say goodbye and thanks for having me stay. It was a truly worthy experience. Knowing Julius is there makes it easy to recommend that anyone visiting Keta reach out—maybe he’ll have them over too.
From there, it was on to the border with Togo.
The Border Crossing
The crossing was probably more costly than it should have been. The helpers always do help, but sometimes they charge more than necessary.
Still, things get done quickly, and paying a bit extra for convenience isn’t the end of the world. No major hiccups—just the usual motions.
There was extra security sign-up, a passport stamp, and the carnet passage, which I find very helpful since it clearly lays out what needs to happen.
Arrival in Lomé
After that, I drove into Lomé, checked out one or two places that didn’t quite agree with me, and eventually ended up at Robinson Beach Plage. French is the language here, of course.
Togo—or at least Lomé—feels like a pretty easygoing town with relaxed traffic. Robinson Beach Plage is past town and technically in the middle of an industrial area.
Robinson Beach Plage
You wouldn’t know it once you arrive, except for the cranes visible in the distance. At night, it was especially surprising to see a long line of ships offshore, all lit up and waiting to be loaded or unloaded.
The temptation to swim was there, but the force of the water is tremendous. It’s not the most convenient place for a swim—more of a swimming pool situation if you want to avoid getting knocked over or sandblasted.
Ending the Day
I had dinner there, and overall it was a good place to hang out. The gardens were beautiful too.
Thanks for coming along to Togo, and we’ll see you tomorrow.
