Banfora continued…

Day 2, early morning fog greeted us on our way to Lake Tengrela. We slept at the sister hotel of “Hotel Canne à Sucre”, run by a Brit and very chic. Ours wasn’t as nice as the original, but it was clean, modern, and sans-insectes! I brought my pilates mat to sleep (for free), since the double bed was taken up by Michelle and Cindy.

Upon our 7am arrival, a group of Frenchies had beat us to the first boats!

While we waited, a woman was washing her clothes by beating them on rocks and another was washing corn, no photos of her.

After they were off, all they had left was a leaking boat, not very reassuring…

Michelle and I making our scared-shitless faces, while trying not to crack up at the situation we had put ourselves in. Hippos are known to frequent the Lake, if one is “lucky” you can catch them in the early morning or before sunset. Obviously, we were not “lucky” enough, the wet season had just ended which means the level up the lake is higher, and they retreat to shallow waters. We were told to come back at sunset to see them on dry land, or in December.

Other tourists trying their luck.

Unlike the other boats, at least we had a rower and someone who was scooping out water full time.

It was evident that we were not going to see any hippos. I settled in for a nice boat ride.

Near the lake there was a “camping” site run by a family wher we took our breakfast. These are their kids, ALL of them. A pair of twins on the left side.

It seems the children are more interested in me than anything else. I suppose they don’t see Asians very often. Note the little boy.

After a lunch of braised fish and atiéké (coucous, mil, cucumber, tomatoes and onions) which took forever, we took off to see the peaks of Sindou. Which is like the domes…but spikey not round. Some advice for those travelling to Africa, if its not meal time, order before you’re hungry because it’ll take 30 minutes to 1 hour or more before you get your food…that’s only if they get your order correct.

A panoramic of the peaks, click on it for a larger version.

A view from the welcome stand, where the guides and their friends hang out under a straw roof.

Our knowledgeable guide who explained the history of the peaks and initiation rituals that take place there.

Another group of tourists, who we ran into later at our second visit to the cascades.

How long will it manage to balance like this? Only time will tell, and I’ll definitely not be there!

In the distance the road to Mali, a neighbouring country.

My sunhat proved useful in the bush.

The valley below.

A centipede!

Since our day began extremely early for hippo watching, by the time we visited the peaks there was enough time for another activity…the cascades once again!

We left around 5pm for Bobo, which was a bit late. We were advised not to travel at night due to road closures, which basically means robbers who cut off the road and steal your valuables. Luckily there was enough traffic since the sun had just set and we arrived in Bobo safely.

Jonathan, Alex, Michelle and Cindy at “Les Bambous” for dinner.

Entertainment for the night. Check out his painted cora!

We slept at “Hôtel des Cocotiers” in Bobo, near City Hall. Do not go there if you are either:
1. Afraid of insects
2. Germaphobe
3. In need of a fan to sleep

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