Getting the Guinea-Bissau Visa
Good day. October 24th. One of the reasons to be in Serrekunda was to get a visa for Guinea-Bissau. We were fortunate enough to have already received the visa for Guinea in Dakar. As it happened, the consulate for Guinea-Bissau was within walking distance—probably a half-hour walk from where we were staying.
The Broken Bridge and Long Detour
A complication near the place we were staying was that a nearby bridge was out of order, meaning no cars were allowed to cross. It was just 10 minutes away from the hotel, but to get the car to the property, I had to take a long, winding detour with the help of a local. Eventually, the car was safely on the grounds, guarded by security, which is still the safer way to go in most of these places.
Walking to the Consulate
We opted to walk, which turned out to be a beautiful path with plenty to look at. The only challenge was crossing a six-lane highway—but thankfully, the traffic gaps were big enough that nobody got hurt doing it. Once at the consulate, the process itself was simple, though it took a while for the right people to be available to take in all the information.
The Slow Visa Process
The biggest hang-up came when it was time to pay electronically. The problem wasn’t the internet—the issue was that the card machine didn’t have enough charge. It took more than an hour before the machine reached 2% battery, just enough to process the payment. Once it finally worked, we met the consul and staff, all very friendly and helpful. With that, we had our visas sorted.
Relaxing by the Pool
After walking back, we rewarded ourselves with a swim in the pool and a dip in the sea. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it!
Visiting Maria Rose and Modu
Later that day, I planned to visit Maria Rose and Modu. Johan opted out of the visit, so it was just me making the trip. Driving there was a challenge—it was getting late, and I’ve become more and more strict about avoiding driving in the dark whenever possible. The address was also hard to find, and while Google Maps helped, it still meant slow driving through dirt roads, sand, rocks, and holes. Eventually, I reached their place, a small spot elevated on a built-up road, just as Modu had described.
Experiencing Local Life
When I arrived, Maria Rose and Modu had prepared a beautiful fish dinner. It was great to see how people live in The Gambia and to share that experience with family. I’m grateful to Maria Rose for inviting me—it was a wonderful and eye-opening evening for both of us.
Finding the Way Back
I lingered a little longer than I should have before heading back. On the return trip, I made a wrong turn, but fortunately, Modu saw me and came running after me to point me in the right direction. Since I was going slowly, there was no issue. He guided me for a bit before I found my way again. I probably drove at least 10 kilometers farther than necessary, but that’s part of the adventure when driving in the dark on unfamiliar roads. I made it back safely before midnight.
Reflections
It was a really great visit overall—a full day of small challenges, warm people, and meaningful experiences. Thank you, and see you tomorrow.
