Just how bleedin tropical does that sound!!
“Segou to Bobo Dioulasso…!”
Mali was a good ginch and the more rural we got the better it got. Food was good and got even better as my new favourite, Capataine a la Bamkoise (fish with banana and tomato sauce), was had in copious amounts. The Niger river was a riot of colour at sunset and the trip up to Segou Koro (old Segou) was the muts nuts. The 15km trp up the Niger river was leisurely on a large pinasse with our new guide and friend, Vieux. A while ago someone asked me “Why travel in Africa?”. It was a simple answer; Big Sky! And the trip on the Niger River reaffirmed this for me.
Our Pinasse on the Niger
Segou we instantly loved. With its wide dusty streets, good food, friendly laidback people and COLD BEER !!
Its street artizans were also a pleasure to deal with. Mostly Tuareg with kind chisled faces, softly spoken and will always welcome you into their shop / tent for a cup of “African Tea”. After promising Baco I’d drop into his shop for tea he offered to show me the basics of playing the drum. I accepted, drank tea, ate biscuits and banged my fingers, in the darkness, on a very ornate drum, until they were a tingle with pins and needles. I’ll look forward to seeing them again in February for the Festival of the Niger next year. Strangely, I found that Yves Saint Laurent had moved his business to just around the corner…
YSL
We had a bit of trouble leaving the next day and a bit of a frakah at the bus station. It probably looked worse than it actually was as we have found that everyone likes to get involved in a good ol’ arguement! So, the next day we hit Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso instead of hitting Sikasso on the Mali border as planned. Bobo, the second biggest town in Burkina Faso was busy enough. And we found the Hotel L’Auberge easily. Swimming pool etc was available and dually used! When we resolved to go out that night we were highly surprised to find our mates from Germany, Yves and Thomas, walk through the door for a frosty one. I suppose this is bound to happen!!! Banfora was next on the hit list as there were waterfalls and a nice lake with Hippo’s there. We booked the tickets and headed off 3 days after checking in…
muni
Hi Jon / Jeann
I have mastered the art of emailing your blog.Only with the help of Rebbecca
I didn’t think you shopped YSL ? anyway the photos are cool and great to hear you are enjoying the good food & cold beer, Also I was shocked to hear that some 4* hotels don’t have aircon how do you manage .
Anyway i hope you keep enjoying the travel and keep safe.
Regards
Brian K