Elmina panorana

This a panoramic photo of Elmina Castle, Ghana. Click on photo for large version (this applies to all my photos).

Beach or desert with clouds, or maybe not?

I took this photo on the beach at dusk. The photo is long exposure with the shutter open for about 30 seconds. At first glance it may look like a beach or desert with the sky and clouds in the background, in fact they are not clouds but ocean waves breaking.

Vladkat and Meowrie update

Both kittens are doing well, they get fed corned beef or tuna at least twice a day and love chasing the flies at night.

Excuse me, I want attention.

I said, I want attention!!!

That's better.

Vladkat being camera shy and hiding inside the pool table.

Monkey Forest Resort

While we were near Kakum we visited the Monkey Forest Resort which is run by a Dutch man called Dennis and his wife. There are quite a few local animals to see in their zoo, it's a nice place but I think it's a shame that you have to see the local wildlife in a zoo rather than in the wild.

A Genet.

Young monkey.

Vladka with monkey.

A young tortoise, only a few weeks old.

Night sky

I took this photo while I was next to the pool at the Golden Tulip hotel in Kumasi.

Kakum national park

The Kakum national park is about 30 kilometers north of Cape Coast and contains a canopy walkway, one of only four in the world and the only one in Africa. The highest point is 40 meters, there are 7 bridges and the total length is 330 meters, making it the longest canopy walkway in the world.

It certainly an experience being on top of the the rainforest canopy, unfortunately there are very few animals in the area because of the human activity. We did hear some monkeys but were unable to see them. "Bushmeat" is considered a delicacy by many Ghanaians and many forest animals such as monkeys, deer and pangolins are still killed and eaten.

This is our guide "Fifi", he has worked at the park for 12 years and gets paid about £120 a month, he told me that he has to provide his own uniform and footwear because the Ghana Wildlife Society doesn't provide him with anything. I wonder where the park fees are going then?

40 meters up looking over the rainforest canopy.

Vladka taking the first steps.

Looking 40 meters down. At this point I asked Fifi who maintained the walkway, he told me that Paratroopers did the maintenance. This made sense because Paratroopers are used to heights and are generally well trained, further into the conversation I realised that he was saying "parrot trappers"! Parrot trappers make their money from climbing high trees and trapping parrots funnily enough, when they are caught and arrested they are then put to work maintaining the walkway.

Looking down one of the walkway bridges.

Marie on the walkway.

Vladka on the walkway.

One of the bridges.

Marie & Vladka standing next to the biggest tree in the forest.

Fungi.

Elephant skull.

Hans Cottage Botel

Hans Cottage Botel is an amazing place, it is located between Cape Coast and the Kakum forest. The restaurant is built on stilts over a lake that is inhabited by several dozen crocodiles. There are also several hundred weaver birds building nests along the bank, the weaver is a fascinating little bird to observe! Unfortunately the rooms are not great and are rather expensive for what you get.

The restaurant at night.

Office & statue at night.

A kingfisher aims for a fish...

...and misses.

One of the crocs.

The same croc.

We were throwing bread into the water which attracted the fish, in this photo the croc is actually going for the fish which are going for the bread.

Marie making friends.

A worker fills up his water can next to a croc.

A schools party visits the Botel.

A smaller reptile.

This once was quite large and supposedly friendly.

The friendly one again.

A weaver bird.

Coconut Grove Hotel, Elmina - Ghana

The Coconut Grove Hotel is located very close to the Elmina Castle, it's a great place to spend a night or two.

Vladka at Coconut Grove Hotel

Coconut trees and fishing canoe.

The restaurant and Bar.

The pool.

The beach at night.

After a couple of G& T's we decided to do some "light painting". This involves a bright LED torch and then putting the camera on long exposure and the "painting or writing" with said torch.

Marie writes "I heart Adie"

Vladka writes "Milanek" (I think).

My man with 2 dogs and a ball.

Vladka's, erm, rabbit?

My volleyball match.

The waiter was impressed when I wrote him name.

My man upset with his dog for messing on the beach.

Maries, erm, Pinapple?

Maries "Hippodog" jumping onto a wall.

My man playing with ball and dog that made another mess.