Africa Eye Tours-Central Region
After checking into the resort, our group headed over to Cape Coast Castle which was just steps away. This large white castle was full of history and intrigue. As we gathered with our tour guide, my thoughts wandered. I had so many questions. How many of my ancestors had traveled through this fortress? As we entered the former slave dungeons and entered the prison cells, a spirit of anguish washed over me. The imaginable suffering of being kidnapped, abused, and stripped of everything you know was embedded in the castle walls. I had to exit out of the prison cell because being present there took my breath away. I even got to walk through the "Door of No Return". This door is said to be the last threshold Africans crossed before boarded ships to the west. The tour overall was emotional, informative, and insightful. I recommend all persons of African descent to take a trip there and learn about the resilience of our ancestors.
If one castle is not enough, our group made the thirteen km trek to Elmina Castle. Elmina Castle is a large medieval-style castle comprised of dungeons for slaves and guest rooms for European explorers. It sits on the edge of the coast overlooking the Gulf. The exterior is surrounded by large black canons designed to protect the structure from attacks. The slave quarters were rooms cut out of stone with very little light or air. Thousands of slaves were crammed into spaces without sanitation or proper food. Oh the horrors they must have endured waiting to be transported to a unknown land.
In contrast, the Governor's quarters upstairs had panoramic views of the gulf, bright airy windows, and plenty of square footage. His area contained a master bedroom, living room, and even space for a secretary. It is very difficult to see how anyone could live in luxury while thousands of people suffering just beneath their feet. I was truly amazed at how beauty and brutality coexisted in one place. I also highly recommend visiting Elmina and soaking in all the history that you can.
After a long day of touring, our group had a beachside dinner at our resort. The menu contained both American and Ghanaian cuisine. I would give the food and drink a 5/10 rating because the vegetarian options were limited. Following dinner, we sat on a large formation of rocks and chatted the night away. There is something extremely relaxing about hearing the waves crash repeatedly against the shore while gazing at the stars.
The next day we woke up early, had our devotions on the balcony, and headed to Kakum National Park. Kakum National Park contains canopy walks, nature hikes, and birdwatching opportunities. There are over 300 species of birds there! If you are a nature lover, this is definitely the spot for you.
Without a doubt, our wonderful tour guide suggested that we do the canopy walk. The canopy walk costs about 35 GHS for Ghanaians, 100 GHS for Non-Ghanaians, and 50 GHS for children. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, sunblock, and bug repellant. Be prepared for a physical hike. If you have back or leg issues, I do not suggest you do the canopy walk. The hike to the canopy is vigorous, with many stairs on a steep incline. Also, I would not recommend the canopy walk for small children or those who are afraid of heights as it is physically demanding and 27 km from the forest floor. The are other kid friendly options available. See park website for details.
Now back to the fun stuff! The canopy walk course has two routes. You can take a shorter route which contains only two canopies if you have safety concerns. If you are adventurous, you can take the longer route which has six long canopies. The bridges are made of rope and wood slats, and are suspended between 300-year-old trees. Each walk is exhilarating, I felt like I could touch the sky. If you are feeling brave and courageous, I dare you to look down at the forest floor as you journey through this 333-meter walkway. Do not be dismayed if you see people crying as they cross the canopy, it comes with the territory of conquering one's fears. This was an amazing stop, I had a blast. See my photos below!
Last but definitely not least, we made a pit stop at Hans Cottage Botel. The origin of Hans Cottage began in 1979. It was founded by a man named Kwesi Hans who wanted to develop a place where visitors could enjoy nature. It is a sizable estate that sits back from the main road. The Botel features a restaurant, man made lake, boat rides, and pool. Our group elected not to stay at Hans Cottage but rather, wanted to crocodile watch and take a guided boat ride. There were beautiful flowers everywhere. The atmosphere was tranquil but lively.
Initially, we got to view three crocodiles in the lake, two of which were available to pet. Our tour guide was brave enough to pet both crocodiles. On the other hand I was reluctant to pet either crocodile. I love adventure however, this was a bit more dangerous than I liked. After some mild encouragement, I touched the crocodile for a brief photo opp. You heard me right, I touched a crocodile's tail and lived to talk about it! Subsequent to our crocodile viewing, we took many more pictures and enjoyed a relaxing boat ride. The boat operator told us all about the history of the property, wildlife, and the vegetation that surrounded us. He was equally knowledgeable as he was respectful towards us. He even offered to take pictures of us during and after the boat ride. Overall, Hans Cottage Botel was an enjoyable and fascinating place. Please check them out asap.
In sum, my Central Region tour with Africa Eye was thrilling, thought-provoking, and unforgettable. I created memories there that will last a lifetime. Africa Eye Tours' professionalism and guidance are second to none. I encourage everyone to head over to www.AfricaEyeTours.com and follow them on all social media platforms. Their services are invaluable. You will thank me later. Until time next, Happy Travels!
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