Holiday In The Gambia

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Sun 23 Apr 2006 12:42
Holiday In The Gambia - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}
Just been in the Gambia for a week. Friends living there use the bush vans and the town taxis (yellow/green), as they were much cheaper than the tourist taxis. Rode in quite a few well used Mercedes diesel town taxis.
Most of the interiors were damaged/missing, windscreens were usually smashed (vulture collision) but they kept going.
Standard of driving was excellent and they used their indicators and horns sensibly.
When we got near the hotel areas the tourist taxi operators got upset as only they are supposed to carry tourists at a much higher rate.
Quite a few newish 4X4s evident, probably needed when the wet season comes.
Actual violent crime is low but EVERYONE wants to have a conversation, often to make a sales pitch, which did not make for a relaxing holiday.
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I wasna fu but just had plenty.
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Sun 23 Apr 2006 18:07
Holiday In The Gambia - Lud
But didn't you enjoy it GWS? Relaxing isn't really the name of the game in West Africa. Good fun though in a stressful sort of way, isn't it?

I do hope so anyway.
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Sun 23 Apr 2006 19:04
Holiday In The Gambia - PhilDews
I enjoyed my trip to the gambia a few years back, especially the 50yr old (well, 30 at least) Peugeot 504, that had been to the moon and back several times. Even the steering wheel was held on with packing tape...


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Drive Your Way - If anything can, TerraCan
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Sun 23 Apr 2006 19:24
Holiday In The Gambia - mrmender
Africa, west, east, south, north, whatever! been all over would'nt bother me if i never saw the continent again.... Alas i'm back to work in Sudan in the morning! ha.....
Why anyone should want to go on holiday there beats me
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Sun 23 Apr 2006 22:05
Holiday In The Gambia - Lud
Quite miss it myself mm, but I supose if I had to rush back and forth every few days it might get a bit tiresome.

Bon voyage anyway. Think of the main dealer wage rates in Port Sudan!
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Mon 24 Apr 2006 17:22
Holiday In The Gambia - Harmattan
Actually, prices for genuine parts might offset much of the benefit of lower wages for the mechanics. A 5000 mile service (essentially oils and all filters plus various additional checks because of the harsh conditions) on a 2005 Toyota LandCruiser Prado (forget the UK model name for the small 'Cruiser)with a non-turbo 3.0 engine costs almost £200 at the Toyota dealer in Cotonou, Benin.
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Mon 24 Apr 2006 19:08
Holiday In The Gambia - Thommo
Happy memories of running around Abidjan in what looked like a knackered old Peugeot 406 but actually had a tuned V6 top rated shocks and industrial strength air conditioning.

Sometimes in Africa driving a 4 wheel is equivalent to painting a bullseye on your head...
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Mon 24 Apr 2006 19:35
Holiday In The Gambia - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}
Lud,
Spot on. A week was long enough.
--
I wasna fu but just had plenty.
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