Traveling
around Cameroon
Aside
from our field research we also traveled around Cameroon to experience
things such as Faun's Palaces, drinking palm wine and relaxing on the beaches
of Kribi. Below are some photographs and links to more information on these
amazing destinations.
Kribi
Below: We enjoy some fresh coconuts on the beach at Kribi while
staying at the Auberge du Phare Chez Amelie.
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White sand beaches make Kribi Cameroon's best
seaside resort. Aside from some restaurants and a disco, there's little
to do in town, but there are some inviting fishing villages nearby with
excellent fresh seafood. If you make it during the dry periods of mid-October
to November or March to May you'll miss the rain and the crowds of expats
from Douala. The best nearby villages are Eboundja and Londji. With pristine
sand and palm trees Kribi is great for lying back and enjoying some grilled
fish and palm wine with the locals. Kribi is about two hours south of Douala
by bush taxi. In a day trip you can also travel and visit the Pgymy tribes
that live in the area. Spend some time seeing how they live, walking through
their emmense forest and witnesses one of the few forest people left (below
left).
To learn more: http://www.kribi.com/ |
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Above: We enjoy a leisurely boat ride towards the Pygmy village and
later in the day visit Lobe Falls. |
Above: A picture of Mt. Cameroon from the base, in Buea. |
Buea & Mt Cameroon
Just
about an hour north-west of Douala, Buea offers a cooler climate and an
great view up Mt. Cameroon. It is home to Buea University and many shops
and restaurants.
As you climb the mountain, you'll pass through dense tropical forests and
sub-alpine meadows. Some people choose to climb the mountain, it about
a 17 mile round trip and they say you can make it in one day if you're
in good shape. Although most people take two days and stay overnight. |
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Foumban
Though slightly touristy, Foumban
is one of Cameroun's major attractions and an important centre of traditional
African art. Its jewel is the Palais Royal, the seat of power of the Bamoun
people. The ruler of the Bamoun is known as the sultan, and the Bamoun
can trace the lineage of their sultan back to 1394. The palace, completed
in 1917, resembles a medieval chateau.
A few hundred metres of the palace is the Musée des Arts et des
Traditions Bamoun.Foumban is shopping heaven with lots of stores linin
gthe streets of hand carved wooden and brass objects. Some of the things
you can buy include musical instruments, such as drums, pipes, statues,
masks, gongs and lots of other items. Other streets are home to sculptors,
basket makers, weavers and embroiderers. Which makes this place one of
the best places in Central Africa to buy wood carvings and African art. |
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Above: Our guide explains how this rock was used as a murdering block
years ago on our tour of the Bafut Palace.
Photos taken by Thad Bartlett
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Above: Noelle haggles over a bottle opener or other African goods.
Bargaining is the key to shopping in Africa, an art form that takes practice
and patience.
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Some of the children of the Bafut Palace in Bamenda came and greeted
us during our tour.
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A typical outdoor butcher in Cameroon. The stalls are located on the
side of the road and usually sell beef and chicken. Although many carry
bushmeats of porcupine or monkey.
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Bamenda
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Bafut
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House that we stayed at an hour outside of Bamenda. It was a chance
to experience no electricity, no running water and the red dirt of Bamenda.
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Children of the Fon came to greet us. We offered them some candy and
quickly gained many friends...
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