DAY 128---TAKORADI, GHANA

         Today we are visiting Takoradi-Sekondi in Ghana.  For our arrival it is overcast/hazy, 80 degrees, and 88% humidity.  The port pilot is late showing up at the pilot station so another delay today.  Delay was not too long as docked by 8:30.  Later in the morning it started raining and then we got a monsoon rain with 50 knot winds.                                      

Historical/Background Info:

        This is actually twin cities of Takoradi and Sekondi (population of both totals 445,000) but we are docked in Takoradi.  We arrived here today at these twin cities and was also here back on our 2010 world cruise. Takoradi is one of the deep port cities for the West African country of Ghana. It is the largest city closest to the Equator and Prime Meridian making it the most central location on the world map. The ship’s present location is 5N and 1W. The country has a population of nearly 25 million, and sadly, 28% of them make less than $1.25 a day. The country exports lumber and plywood from its rainforests in the north. Ghana is #2 in the world in exporting cocoa butter and the quality of it is #1. Cocoa bean production is the main agricultural crop and employs 40% of the ag sector. There are also mines in the western part of Ghana. With the recent massive discovery of oil, the Secondi-Takoradi township has become known as the “Oil City” and has attracted massive immigration from people all around the world.

LAST EVENING

        We were front row again for the production cast's last "Tuxedo" show.  As I have said many times this cast is so very talented.  Here are some photos of last night's show.

TODAY

    As we sat waiting for the pilot to show up this boat came up with stuff they wanted to sell us.

                                                                Entering the harbor.

                                                      Two very large ocean fishing boats.

                                               Locals setting up shops on the pier as we dock.

                                                               Only two buses so far.

                                                Looks like cable they may lay in ocean.

        I left the ship at 9:30 for this tour.  Unfortunately, it was raining as I came off the ship.  The bus was very nice and had air conditioning.  Bus temp was good.  The guide was a good one and spoke very good English.  I sat on the back row as usual and his PA was not loud enough so could not hear a word he said.  There was also a loud noise from the bus's transmission.  The 3 buses on this tour were lead by a security vehicle.

        This security vehicle drove VERY slow for some reason.  Not long into the tour it came a down monsoon like rain with wind that lasted for over an hour.  So my photos were taken through wet windows.  Sorry!

                                                            Some high school girls

                                                  Passed by several shanty housing areas.

                          Our guide said this was previously a British housing area so was nicer.

                 We finally came to a fishing harbor area.  Some boats were being built here also.

                         This is the big fish market but we did not stop to see it.  Not sure why.

                                              Fishing boats being blown about by the wind.

    A lady was apparently trying to sell these fish on the sidewalk next to our but.  It was raining.

                         I saw many ladies like these 3 with stuff balanced on top of their heads.

                We did get off the bus to see where they were making ice for the fishing boats.

                              This man pulling the ice blocks from the place they were froze.

     

  Groups of men standing in the doorways of building across the street.

            Now at the downtown market area.  All the shops are outdoors on the sidewalks.

        We drove around this huge open air covered construction.  The circle street around it was lined with market shops.  Hundreds of small shops.

    Last stop was at a hotel for refreshments and a cultural show.  Drums were the only instruments.

                                                            A couple ladies doing dances.

        I was not to interested in the show as there were 5 buses there and room overly packed.  I went to the front desk and they hooked me up to their wifi.  So I got all my photos uploaded in just a few minutes.

        When I got back on the bus to return to the pier I sat down on the front row next to the guide.  I knew there was going to be a long line at the gangway to reboard since 5 buses were returning to the ship at the same time.  Our bus was the second to arrive back at 12:50 and I was one of the first to reboard the ship.

        I rushed up to the suite, dropped my backpack, washed my hands, and headed up to La Veranda for lunch to beat the rush from returning tours.  I had part of a burger with some fries.  It's now 2:15 as I am trying to finish this post.

MY IMPRESSION OF GHANA

        We did the same tour in 2010 but it was to a cocoa processing factory which was much more interesting than what I did today.  The monsoon ruined today's tour and the tour was mainly a panoramic drive.  It was basically a waste of 4 hours of my time.

        Ghana is a very poor country.  Let me rephrase that--the people of Ghana are very poor.  The country is rich in oil, minerals, and agriculture but it is not shared with the people, just corrupt government.  The people were very friendly and waved at our buses.  What kids we saw this morning as they were in school, seemed to be very happy.

        The infrastructure needs lots of work.  The roads were paved but covered with mud.  This is mainly a port city and tourism is basic as there is not much to do here.

        I am trying to finish this so I can go out and do some walking on deck 6.  Lots of shops on the pier but there is nothing I need here for sure.

        I wanted to go up to Sette Mari for a veal parmesan this evening but they are having another special "Pan Asian" dinner there.  Guess I will try the chicken parmesan in CR but I will take a photo of the veal parm to show the chef what I expect.  Drinks as usual pre-dinner in Mariner Lounge.

        Three new entertainers boarded so tonight's show is featuring Andrea Amat, a flautist.  You know I do not care for instrumentalists.

        We shall be sailing again at 7pm for Abidjan, Ivory Coast.  We are scheduled to be docked there by 7am tomorrow.  I had a 7 1/2 hour tour scheduled for tomorrow but not going.