Togo Day 1

We got back to the hotel about 10. I think Asante wanted to go to a karaoke bar, but I needed some rest. And I was hungry. The fish we had was tasty, but so many bones. I was taught by my parents at a very early age to eat fish carefully, sifting it through your teeth, checking for bones. There were too many, so it was a chore. The Africans just ate them right down!! I am getting more cautious with every year. Did I want a fish bone in my throat?

So back at the hotel, had a nice G and T and a pizza. I like pizza because I can just eat the top off and have it for breakfast.

My driver was arriving at 2am. Hard to decide if I should try to sleep. Each night here has been loud. I am over the courtyard and pool and guests have been staying up til 2 or 3 am. I probably slept and hour and then packed up.

Driver plus one were there on time, she might have been a chaperone. Both were in uniform.

Thank God for the border crossing with the immigration officer. He was a friend of the guy that helped me with my visa. Also knew Asante. Everyone knows Asante! After a 3 hour drive, without AC, we arrived at the border, they were waiting for us. We went into the office to leave Ghana then into the office to get into Togo. Needed yellow fever certificate. Mine expires in Aug. So much easier to go with this guy than the guy I had chosen and canceled and much less expensive. The drive to the hotel was about 20 minute past the shipping yard, so many Maersk containers. I was able to check in at 6:30 am. The seaside room is a bit shabby. It had great reviews. Hmmm.

Had some coffee and waited for the tour driver. I am the only one on the tour! Driver and guide and me. Just because they speak English doesn’t mean it’s easy to understand. French is spoken here because it was a French Colony. Ghana was an English Colony.

So within 10 min of tour, we got rear ended. Our car was stopped. Driver and guide got out and so many other men came running to see the damage. And then lots of arguing and finger pointing. It was clearly the huge truck’s fault behind us and just when my neck was feeling better. No one asked how I was! The men looked at the vehicles like it was the first fender bender they had ever seen.

Finally after an hour of waiting for another car we drove for an hour and a half to the the tallest mountain in Togo. They expected me to climb it. No mention of this in the brochure. 90 degrees and 90% humidity. I tried. Too slippery in a dress and sandals and big red spiders. 986 meters tall, 3200 feet, but too steep for me today. So we drove up to the top. One and a half lanes on a very curvy, steep road, hence the incessant horn beeping. I was annoyed. Cell, tv and radio towers, would be a beautiful view but it’s hazy today. Nice jungle some trees look like the Baobab’s of Madagascar
Regee music compared to the rap music yesterday.
Togo has way more scooters and tuk tuks, making traffic crazy. Seems like they might be a little more well off than Ghanaians.

Next stop a Chateau.

Graffiti everywhere but it was till stunning and cooler up so high

Time for lunch. I decided on local food. The white stuff is yam. They take large sticks and pound it until it resembles dough. Then you use you left hand to scoop it up and dip it into the soup. Was good at first. Washed it down with a local lager.

Had to use the bathroom, I have seen much worse!

They wash their hands like the Ugandans. There is a basin brought to the table and some soap and a pitcher of water. Simply dip your hands in the dirty water, lather with the soap and someone pours water over your hands! Voila! Clean sterile hands, ready to operate! Where did that water come from? I prefer the old handy wipes/baby wipes made popular during covid.

I once wondered why my Dad didn’t want to travel. It was actually a rant, because I couldn’t believe he wasn’t into travel. He later got the bug. And then he died in Budapest!

I always wanted to see women carrying things on their head, ride an elephant etc. He said you could see all of the in Ladoga Wisconsin. He was Wrong!

Next stop the famous waterfall! Kpalime! It’s an underground waterfall, meaning you must walk down a lot of steps in hot humid weather to see the waterfall, again in a dress and sandals. It was beautiful and worth the sweaty effort. I wished that I had a suit. My guides, half my age couldn’t keep up with me. Mother’s Day hike is coming dear family! We will pick a different date since Nana will be here!

The ride back was so hot, I asked that the AC be directed to the back seat. The guide changed seats with me to the front, but then the AC stopped working. My head was bobbing with jet lag! Two hours back to the New Robinson Hotel.

Back to the hotel. The waves sound perfect. The shower was well needed. Dinner was Greek salad and tenderloin with mushrooms and green pepper corns. Both were wonderful.

Too much food. They hate wasted food so I hope they send it to China or Africa. Tomorrow is more Togo!