Northern Lights Sighting
*Photo Credit Jason Alambra
Photo Credit Jason Alambra
Catherine’s Palace
Named after Catherine I, Peter the Great’s wife. Originally it was a humble residence but in mid-1700’s their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, redesigned and reconstructed the palace to compete with Versailles.
This is us standing in The Grand Hall (or Great Hall or Bright Gallery) used for banquets, balls, and masquerades. They designed it so the mix of mirrors and windows are supposed to result in the illusion that the large room goes on forever.
Tourist Trap!
When you arrive at the perfect, picturesque, white sand beach (romantically described as “secluded” in your tour description) only to find there isn’t a single spot open where you can take the amazing photo you envisioned. Then, in order to stay on schedule, you have 30 minutes to fight the crowds before moving on to the next crowded beach….
Early Morning. Must Have Coffee.
You’re in a new country with lots to see but you were out dancing way too late the night before… now it’s 7am and you have to crawl out of bed, grab a cup of coffee, and hoof it up the hill in the freezing cold to see one more castle….because you know if you don’t you will regret it!!
Badagry played a very important role in the history of West African slave export, established in the early 15oo’s. It was a key slave route to South America, North America, Europe and the Caribbean. I expected the group tour experience would be gut wrenching – on the hour-long boat ride from Lagos city to Badagry town I was preparing myself for a very solemn day of painful stories and reflection. There were some interesting moments, but the reality would better be described as awkward and inappropriate.
