In the land... of Senegambia (page 4 of 5)

Thanks Christelle for always introducing us to new horizons 😊

We’ll try to guess your next destination ;) Tuvalu? Nauru? Kiribati? Turkmenistan?

PS Thanks Christelle :)

Thanks Christelle for always introducing us to new horizons 😊

We’ll try to guess your next destination ;) Tuvalu? Nauru? Kiribati? Turkmenistan?

PS Thanks Christelle :)

Apart from Turkmenistan, which rings a bell, I’ll have to look up where all these places are 😂😂😂—at least Christelle takes us on trips to unknown lands 🌍

Not always the "unknown land," Isabelle, far from it. In a month, we’re heading to India for the 8th time 😄.

But since I’m tired of hearing our loved ones say "agaiiiin," I reply that we’re going to GUJARAT (which is true). And then, oh the faces, it’s too funny 😂. It leaves them speechless because no one in our circle knows that name.

But it’s still a seriously unknown land—so varied, diverse, and surprising. Just the preparation is a treat. For days, I’ve been spending my evenings wandering through 500-year-old guesthouses—I’m loving it 😂.

Have a great day, everyone, and thanks so much for your participation! 😄

Hi Christelle, I’ve been quietly following your African adventures —I had a good laugh sometimes. You really have fun in Africa! All of this has made me want to return to those parts. I barely scratched the surface of Senegal (on the Malian side), and Casamance has been on my mind... but avoiding The Gambia! There are ferries from Dakar to Ziguinchor, though. I’ve had my fill of African borders from my youth! The endless bag searches, waiting patiently for your passport because the stamp ink isn’t dry yet (true story!), the bag they "confiscate" because it’s khaki and military gear is banned in the country! The beer you have to pay for because you’re not vaccinated against cholera (Ghana) and it’s supposedly mandatory. The tip you have to give the cop after 5 PM because the border closes in the evening (Niger/Benin), the fine for not taking a roundabout properly because you *can* go straight without turning (Mali), etc., etc. Luckily back then, you could talk your way out of it with a friendly chat and some Eiffel Tower keychains! Anyway, I’ll come back to ask you for some practical details and about the spots you particularly enjoyed. I trust you on that 😉

Thanks for this travel journal—it brought back so many memories of my trips to Casamance. And even better, I was traveling with a friend from Chalosse (Sort en Chalosse), who, sadly, now travels from star to star.

Unbelievable, Regine, I live 1 km from the entrance to Sort-en-Chalosse!! Such a shame your friend passed away—we’d have had so many memories to share 😢

Love your stories, Jean-Michel! 😄 I’ll admit, I’m a fan of those African border crossings where you never know what’s waiting for you. But I only do that once every 10 years—it helps with the endurance! 😅 Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything, even if we’ve only seen a tiny fraction of the possibilities. We went to northern Senegal over 20 years ago (the classics: Gorée, Mbour, Sine Saloum...), but I’ll admit I much preferred Casamance for the genuinely warm welcome and breathtaking nature. Definitely going back to explore the interior and the south! 😊

Thanks, Christelle, for this always colorful update. I love your way of traveling—maybe also because I couldn’t do it myself

Did you guys look into the security conditions before leaving? Apparently, the borders with Gambia and Guinea-Bissau aren’t very safe in some areas? There are also reports of antipersonnel mines in certain forested sectors... When traveling solo, it’s easy to accidentally take roads or paths that’d be better to avoid... I’ll look into this more closely before deciding—since I’m used to wandering a bit randomly, I’d like to steer clear of trouble. Otherwise, I took a short solo trip to Dakar and the surrounding area (Gorée Island). In terms of hassles from street vendors and other "unofficial guides," it was, for me, the toughest city in West Africa to handle... the first few days were rough 😩

Yes Jean Michel, there are still mines in Casamance, and you should forget about "wild hikes," but we only traveled on busy routes and always with locals. We often rent cars to get around independently, but we avoided it there. Not only are the roads terrible, but it's better to have company so you don’t wander where you shouldn’t. But according to the general consensus on the ground, it’s more the Mauritania/Mali side that’s risky in 2026.

I’m discovering this travel journal a bit late since you started it during a time when finding the time to read journals on VF was a rare luxury, but better late than never!

It brought back some memories since we were in Senegal—Dakar and the Sine-Saloum—just a year ago, and if I manage to finish my Rajasthan journal, I’ll try to write one about Senegal too.

A small correction to the first post in this journal (if I’m not mistaken): it’s not Mandingue that’s spoken in Casamance but Mandjak.

The border-crossing issue you mentioned for Gambia isn’t just difficult for tourists—it’s even worse for locals. Casamance people who have to cross Gambia to return to their homeland get literally extorted at the border, whether they’re of the same ethnicity or not.

Anyway, Gambia didn’t really inspire me after reading this journal, but Casamance is "number 1 on my shopping list," as the Clairefontaine notebooks used to say. I recognize the Senegal you describe in your photos—not necessarily spectacular (though it kind of is...) but very much in its own element. Can’t wait to go back.

Great to see you again, Pagal! 😊

The least we can say is that we share some similar tastes when it comes to travel destinations! 😍

Can’t wait to read your thoughts on Senegal (and the rest of Rajasthan... if you ever find the time 😉)

First cover, almost a blackface. Is Shakespeare’s theatre making a comeback on French TV? Nope, from the very first lines, you recognize Christelle and her irrepressible urge to goof around.

So, mirror effect—we end up laughing too. 🙂

Your signature suits you like a dread! 😉

"First cover, almost blackface".

Oh crap Jean-Luc, I nearly ended up in court without even realizing it 😅. These debates are so far from my world that I had to look up the definition of blackface, which rang a vague bell LOL.

I was born in 1973, in a simpler, funnier time when we’d dress up as a Chalossian granny or an African mama in the same spirit of "goofing around", with no ulterior motives or threats of lawsuits.

It’s clear that those who missed the humor memo probably don’t appreciate my writing much, and honestly, that suits me just fine 😜.

But I’m glad you laughed. That’s the whole point of my travel journals—because the world is serious enough without me adding to it here 😊.

Hugs

I see you’re still getting along so well with the customers—what charisma! 😛 Irresistible, Christelle!!

Anyway, I wasn’t dreaming: in your photos, you’ve become a pro at sunrises and sunsets, huh!

I have to admit, Joel, I have an endless love for sunrises while traveling. When nature wakes up and the sun peeks out, announcing a new day full of promise 😊.

I’ll admit, Joel, I have an endless love for sunrises while traveling. When nature wakes up and the sun peeks out, announcing a new day full of promise 😊.

I totally agree with you... not just when traveling, either ;)

Let’s just say that when I leave for work in my car, it doesn’t have the same effect on me, Muriel. In my head, it’s more like "wow, it’s so beautiful this morning... okay, what time’s my first meet-up? And when can I call so-and-so? And write about such-and-such?" 😄

I’ll admit, Joel, I have an endless love for sunrises while traveling. When nature wakes up and the sun peeks out, announcing a new day full of promise 😊.

Same here, Christelle—at sunrise, you’re almost alone, whereas at sunset, it’s usually crowded 😊

Exactly, Isabelle. If the crowd were silent, it’d be fine, but that’s never the case 😅