The next day looked bright & clear and we were ready to hit the town to check out our driving options for out trip West. We decided on the bus to Takoradi; cheap, easy, reliable on a newly built road. No problem.
But before we left Accra, we of course had to visit the markets, so we hired a taxi for the day. A lot of things were on display and the more unusual stuff caught our attention immediately. For example snails, huge snails! We were told that they are a delicacy in Ghana. We refused politely, and the market woman didn’t mind that we took pictures of her merchandise.

Edible snails at a market in Accra, Ghana.

A market woman selling oranges in Accra, Ghana.

Market life in Accra, Ghana.

A pleasant accurate bus ride brought us to Takoradi, from there we continued by taxi to Busua. On the way you will see many people selling bush meat along the road. You mostly see squirrel or duikers and even monkeys are sold for the upcoming dinner table.

We simply wanted to go to the beach so as soon as we arrived at Busua Inn (run by a French couple) we hit the beach. The couple btw has another lodge about 20 km away in Ezile Bay on a beautiful unspoilt beach, with solar power and a few cabins. So this place was going to be our destination for our Easter Holidays.

The beach was really beautiful with white sand, blue water and a little village nearby. The village Akwiida has a little market, where you can get everything for your basic needs. You could go fishing, or if you’re not the sea-kind of person, fresh fish is available everywhere. The locals wrap it into banana leaves and grill it on the beach. Yummy!

A wonderful beach near Takoradi, Ghana.

Kids playing on Takoradi beach, Ghana.

Group picture on Takoradi beach, Ghana.

Walking along the long stretch of beach gave us an idea on daily life in Ghana, which was really nice. All in all it was a great two week trip down to the Black Continent.

Tip:

If you take a taxi back to Accra, stop along the way to visit Elmina castle. Dating back to 1492 it was built by the Portuguese and it has a very diverse past. Nowadays it’s a tourist attraction and a completely renovated fort along the Gold Coast of Ghana. The famous German director Werner Herzog used Elmina as location for his movie “Cobra Verde” and President Obama visited Cape Coast Castle during his visit to Ghana, which is just a few kilometers away from Elmina castle .

Elmina Castle in Ghana, Africa.

Inside Elmina Castle in Ghana, Africa.

The fishing boats near Elmina Castle in Ghana.

We had a hotel right next to one of these nice beaches. Mornings and late afternoons were the right time to spot people on their way to work, school or home. The reason I wanted to post photos of these men & women is simple: they carry all the goods an their head! Balancing is a must, muscles a plus ;)

So here are a couple of shots:

Instead of a handbag, African women carry their goods on their heads.

Carrying firewood back home on Takoradi beach.

Two men on their way home.

Heavy stuff this man has to carry…

Children also help out their families.

1. Vietnam.

School uniforms are compulsory all throughout Vietnam. Kids are proud to wear it, though it’s expensive for most of the parents especially if they have more kids attending school. Beside the uniform, you also have to pay the school fees, so parents are really forced to make money if they want to give their offspring a good education.

Girls in a typical school uniform in Vietnam.

2. South Africa.

As in many other former British colonies, all the South African private and public schools have a uniform.

Not only does the school uniform look really nice in South Africa, but this boy is simply the cutest.

3. Indonesia.

Every student has to wear a school uniform in Indonesia. A typical school uniform consists of a white shirt and red pants or skirt. Private schools sometimes have their own uniform and they might look a bit different from these…

The school kids in Indonesia love it when you take their photo.

4. Senegal.

Since Senegal is a very poor country, school uniforms are not a must for everyone. If families can afford it, it usually just consists of a blue shirt and black pants. Otherwise you might just wear something blue to “fit it” as seen in the photo below.

Typical school life in Senegal.

5. Cambodia.

Uniforms are now fashionable in Cambodian schools. Before, students would usually wear a white shirt and a skirt or pair of pants in blue or black.

A white shirt & pants was all you needed before…

6. India.

Schools uniforms are almost universal in India, from primary to higher-secondary level.

Kids on their way to school in Diglipur on the Andaman Islands.

7. Ghana.

All children have to wear school uniforms in Ghana. Recently, there have been public programs through which poor families are offered financial help to buy uniforms. Over 8.000 school uniforms have been distributed by the government to needy students.

Walking home on the beach is quite nice…