Bragging Rights

Held wild monkeys, rode a motorcycle, climbed the second tallest mountain in Ghana, trekked to the highest waterfall in Ghana, and traveled 13 hours via tro-tro! This weekend is definitely something to brag about!!!

The adventure started early Friday morning, when Alicia ( a fellow Cape Coast Intern) and I headed West via tro to Peki, Volta Region. Despite some minor confusion with the driver of the Tro we made it to Roots Yard eco lodge that afternoon. Rasta Bob and his wife Jaqueline have created a lovely space tucked into the plains of the many mountains of Volta. Roots Yard is a vegetarian/vegan only lodge so I loved eating vegan again! Their tofu and soy milk is made on spot, so cool!!!! We just took it easy at the yard and enjoyed good food and conversation.

Saturday morning we headed North to Tafi Monkey Sanctuary. The village of Tafi acquired monkeys a long time ago and has been worshipping them since and more recently using them to attract tourists like me! I knew that I was about the have monkeys climbing on me, but I did not know that soon I’d be on the back of a motorcycle! When the tro dropped us, we were surrounded by motorcycles not taxis. I’ve always told myself that I’d never ride a motorcycle, but I totally change my mind. I loved it!!! Granted we weren’t going super-fast, so I felt safe, but it was so much fun! Seeing the monkeys was a lot of fun too. Our guide walked us into the jungle doing a monkey call. All of the sudden we were surrounded by a family of monkeys, I’d guess about 20. With a banana in hand I was told to stand still and wait! They just jump right up and sit on your arm while they dine on your banana offering. For the most part I felt really comfortable, but I was pretty afraid of the male of the family, he was huge! Monkey tracks and banana slimmed cleaned off I was back on the bike headed for the tros. I may have enjoyed the bike ride more than the monkeys. Then it was another 2 hours in the tro and a taxi ride to our next lodge, Waterfall Lodge. Wow what a beautiful location! The summer hut, aka outdoor sitting, had a great view of the upper falls and mountain. A great meal and new friend made, plans were arranged to hike the loop the following morning.

The Loop consists of a 6ish hour hike up the second highest mountain in Ghana (but come on it was huge!), which then leads to the upper falls, and down to the lower falls. Our trusty guide Wisdom led the three of us to the top, all while wearing flip flops! The hike was challenging but so rewarding! The view from the top was amazing, and seeing the power of a waterfall up close was truly breath taking. Tired and hungry the rest of the day was spent snacking and drinking, in the summer hut.

6 am wakeup call and Alicia and I were headed back home to Elmina. Long story short we tried to take a short cut that ended up being a long cut. I got home at 8pm last night! The longest tro-tro ride anyone can handle



This weekend was sooooooooo wonderful! One of my favorites by far!