Roome Island

There are no shopping malls, coffee shops, movie theatres or Maccas in west Africa so sometimes we need to get a little creative and adventurous with our leisure time. Many West African nations are blessed with stunning, postcard beaches. Unfortunately the beautiful beaches in Guinea are not located anywhere near the ship, which is berthed at the tip of a boot shaped peninsula. So in order to get to the nearby islands we have to take a canoe with a spluttering outboard motor attached that (mostly) works. After about an hour and a lot of water bailing we arrive at Roome Island.

Above one of the canoes leaves the dock under the shadow of the bow of the Africa Mercy.

Jess and her friend Deborah. Jess wasn't too fond of the rickety boat ride and was rather glad to reach terra firma again.

Me, I liked it.

Approaching another nearby island, which we rounded to get to our final destination.

Some local kids and ex-pats enjoy a ride on their quad bike. No rules on the beaches here!

Jess and Deborah digging to China.

The kids had great fun building a hermit crab pool. I don't know if the hermit crabs had fun.

What does one do at a beach all day in West Africa??? Why shopping, of course! You don't even have to get off your butt, the shopping comes right to you! Fabric you say? Jewellery? Wooden statues? What about a nice cold drink or some fries? No problem!!

 

 

How to balance your coke in the sand....

If you get bored of shopping, swimming and sunbathing, there is always plenty of fascinating people watching to be had. Above a local man is fishing, a major form of livelihood in West Africa. 

Getting out of the canoe at the dock was a bit more challenging that getting into it. Jess climbs the ladder up the side of our dock space after we all step off the canoe onto a tug boat parked alongside.

Can't say it's your typical trip to the beach but it is one for the memories! Going to a beach anywhere else will pale in comparison! I think the conversation will go something like this......."Remember that time we went to an island in a canoe in Guinea......?"