Guest blogger-Meredith McCleary-About Africa

West Africa and Beyond: A New Adventure

Africa is the second largest continent in the world. It consists of deserts, lush tropical rainforests, coastal and swampy regions, plenty of natural resources, and of course the routes of the Slave trade. All are intriguing and all in West Africa. Most of you who are Post Haste Travel or Ebony Heritage clients are most familiar with or have visited romantic and exotic places in South and Southern Africa, Grand Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, trekking for gorillas and primates in Uganda, or viewing the Pyramids while swaying in the breeze along the Nile.
At Post Haste we offer the opportunity to those who are looking for a new experience or adventure to visit some of the roads less traveled; to see and visit with new people and faces; to witness and appreciate their unique culture and customs, talents, artistic creations; feel the rhythm and sway to the beat, dance to the music, or just March to a Different Drummer. Belief me it can be an exhilarating experience and a breath of fresh air. The sights, sounds, and smells of the open-air markets exude a level of excitement for the ardent world’s traveler. The colorful costumes and attire leads the way to designer shoes and fashions fit for a King or Queen. Let us take a brief glimpse at West Africa and Beyond!
West Africa consists of approximately 16 countries. We have toured and marveled at a few – Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Some of you world cruisers have visited the shops on the recent addition of ports of call around the Horn or Western coast of Africa or Jet vacations to Morocco or Mali. Yes, these are all fabulous and I hope to return to all of them too! However, if you say, " I’ve been there, done that", then it’s time to try another part of Africa or see these sights through another pair of eyes – mine. The Djembe (Music), Kora (Music), the silk Kente cloth (Dress) of the Akan peoples of Ghana and the distinct Sudano-Sahelian architectural style (artist) seen in the many mosques of the region, are the primary symbolic icons of West African culture.
Ethiopia affords one the opportunity to take a journey and witness the spiritual influences of ancient religions, through an historic tour of the Northern area of the country. See the Architectural delights in rock hewn churches, and magnificent castles, and monuments with the fascinating historical perspectives of the various influences that have shaped this country. Trek, if you wish, in the mountains, and cruise on the Blue Nile, and follow the Nile across Africa. End your trip with a journey south (as I will do in May) to the Omo Valley region to meet the colorful tribes in their villages and experience the everyday life of markets, rituals and ceremonies. (If I am lucky I hope to get a boat ride to see the wildlife in this area). The same can be said for Uganda. Being a bit beyond my trekking years, (for Gorillas’) I did it for primates. A worthwhile visit was to explore the cultural and historical sites around Kampala, Jinja, and Entebbe. The museums and historical sites are amazing preserved and very good. Nothing could do better than my visit to the filming sites of the “Great King of Scotland’. For lovers of history the tour to visit and touch the Source of the Nile was overwhelming as I headed to spend time at Murchison Falls. Beyond the experience of cruising on this portion to the mouth of the Falls, the abundant display of wildlife in and on both sides of the River was spectacular. Being a lover of safari, my driver and I head out in the late afternoon for a short game drive at the Resort. I had just completed two weeks on safari in Kenya and what I saw equaled about the amount of my entire Kenyan trip! While in Kenya I took a three day road trip to Kisumu, and a day trip to nearby Kigelo - the hometown of the Kenya Obama, Sr. Family. The day was spent visiting schools, gravesites and meeting relatives of the original Obama Family – Yes, I did get a private seating with the paternal grandmother Sarah. As my pictures will show, she is a delight. My Aktion Club of Kiwanis sent signature caps for the schoolchildren. The soccer teams had just won a significant competition and we presented the hats to them. What a cheering they gave! That was their special trophy! Mama Sarah wanted her own and of course she got it. Memories are made of this.
No, it is not for everyone. Collector, musicians, music lovers, designers, historians, educators, artists, sportsman, nature lovers, sociologists, medical professional, and herbalist ,this is the trip for you!
We offer the opportunity for you visit another world; Senegal, Ghana, Gambia, Togo, Benin, Mali or Burkina Faso – to name a few. Our local, English speaking drivers, and ground operators will escort you on a journey of a lifetime. There are modest accommodations in all locations we will visit. Travel is usually via air-conditioned vehicles. The road systems are new to fairly good in most of the destinations. Food is good to excellent. Camps in the deserts are camps! Special festivals and celebrations are ongoing in West Africa, from Music in the desert in Mali (Jan) – to the Roots festival every other year in the Gambia.
These are the trips that are not measured by the breathes you take - but – the experiences that will take your breathe away.
You are invited to view pictures on the website: www.ebonyheritagetravel.com

Conversation with Lindsey-Lake Tahoe and Celebrate Africa

Lake Tahoe was great! I went with my son and his friends, so that was a little strange when I realized my son’s girlfriend is 30 years younger than me…His girlfriend, Renae is from Northern California, so we stayed with her parents the first night, then drove to South lake Tahoe the next morning and stayed at a Hyatt Vacation place where my brother has a timeshare. There was soooooo much snow! And I love cold weather. We spent that first day shopping and getting everyting ready for skiing on Monday. I used to ski everywhere every year for 20 years, but haven’t been in about 10 years. My first day on the mountain was a little tiring, but I did alright. Tuesday I had all kinds of problems staying up, and getting up when I fell, and it turned out that my right leg had just given out. I could keep that ski straight for anything! So I just took my skis off, and the ski patrol came and got me…laid me down in one of those toboggans, covered me up and went straight down the mountain….faster than I’d ever been before! I figured everyone thought they were bringing a dead body down the mountain! LOL!!!! I spent the next 2 days peacefully alone in the room , reading, napping, taking long walks…Friday we walked down to the Lake, and it was gorgeous. We had great weather the whole time, some snow, lot’s of sun. The others spent some time winning money at the casino and partying…but I got a good break. When we went back to California, I met some cowboy and went horseback riding Saturday morning. I’ve had horses all my life, but it’s been a while since I’d ridden. Great fun. My flight was a red eye out of Sacremento and I didn’t get back to Ft Laud. Until 10AM Sunday. Then I spent the next 3 weeks sick as a dog. I’m finally feeling better. We went to s LHW event Monday night to see the Last Lions, and I won an 8 day trip to South Africa! My mother is an Africa specialist, she’s been over 30 times, so I am going to extend my stay in South Africa and see some additional properties and do a little extra safaris…I’m thinking of going in June or July…it’s winter there and that will make me happy! We’ve been really busy, selling lots of cruises, Africa and Europe…how ‘bout you? We’re having a “Celebrate Africa” event next Wednesday night, with 12 suppliers, about 60 guests, and it’s being held at a facility that has an Africa themed room. I’ll post the photos so you can see. Glad you like Bora Bora…I’ve never been…yet, but we have quite a few specialists in the office. Let’s keep this conversation going…there’s so much to learn from each other! Talk to you soon.

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