To & From:
There are no direct flights to Dakar the Capital of Senegal from Dublin, the most logical is via Lisbon, but we actually chose a more complex route which in hindsight may not have been the most logical. We chose Turkish Airlines, which flew via Istanbul, but unbeknown to us at time of booking made a pit stop in Nouakchott in Mauritania, a country to the North, and an Islamic state. So on touch down we watched as half the plane emptied, and then started to re-fill, with passengers headed to Dakar. It was chaotic, few with frequent traveler air miles, and in full African style the women carrying most of the luggage by hand. Being in an Islamic territory we had two challenges, men don’t like sitting next to women especially blonde Europeans, and the bar was closed. Fortunately we didn’t have too far to fly with our new companions, in fairness I think it was more of an ordeal for them, trapped with two foreigners as white as their teeth.
Dakar has a new airport, but I’m sure just a more modern scene of confusion, fortunately we were visiting family so saved an ordeal of trying to find onward travel connections, something I cannot imagine as being easy.
Dakar sits on the Cape Verde Peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic and is one of the most westerly points in Western Africa, positioning it ideally for sea routes to America and trade. Slave island ( Goree), sits about a mile off shore and was at the epicentre of the trans Atlantic slave trade, a museum depicts the misery, we looked out but decided not to visit, no point starting a holiday on a sombre note.
Our actual destination was Mbour, a lively trading town, and its adjoining seaside resort town of Saly,the two could not be more different.
The drive from Dakar is around 100 Km, and once out of Dakar’s suburbs fairly straightforward, we passed the newly constructed airport Blaise Diagne International Airport, which is half way between the two, so future travels will be easier now the airport is fully commissioned.
Arriving into Mbour is an assault on the senses , the main road running through the commercial centre is flanked by traders, run down shacks selling piles of second hand tyres, make shift garages repairing all types of vehicles, compete for retail space and road frontage alongside more traditional African food shops and banks. The road itself is similarly competitive, mopeds, cars, vans, trucks and animal carriages, challenge alongside the overcrowded buses that seem to be permanently travelling up and down full to over capacity, I wonder if anyone actually does get on or off, perhaps they just go somewhere and then return later. I am sure the same goat atop the bus on a roof rack passed more than once going in different directions.
Away from the main commercial thoroughfare, rubble and makeshift shelters lead into residential areas built on sand with no tarmac left over after building the main road, cars give way to caprine beasts more suited to the conditions.
We were staying at L’Etape au Soleil owned by relations, just off the tarmac, a deceptively spacious restaurant, with accommodation above, it even had its own outdoor pool.
SALY, the riviera of Senegal
Just to the north sits Saly a beach resort in the Petite Côte region of Senegal., something of a French playground, it has a very different look and feel with fabulous deserted beaches and luxury hotels, an oasis of calm and tranquillity.A former Portuguese trading post, Saly Portudal village features restaurants and bars. West along the coast, Saly Nord has a palm-lined beach, the Golf de Saly golf course and a craft market. To the east, at Saly Niakhniakhal, the seafront is lined with restaurants and villas. Deep-sea fishing boats return to shore with sailfish, marlin and tuna
We were staying at the Neptune hotel, which provides individual thatched cottage accommodation set in tropical gardens, all modern luxuries are on site with a big pool, restaurants and a private beach. We could easily appreciate why the French used as their Africa playground !
Much of life at the hotel centres around the pool, with friendly visitors joining for breakfast.
A short stroll outside the hotel you arrive at a beautiful beach, there are no crowds here just the nephews for company.
Plenty of water sports are available, you just need to book with the hotel–we decided to enjoy the more relaxing sport of sunbathing.
In the locality there are a number of hotels and restaurants so evenings can be spent at different venues most specialise in both African and European cuisine, but no Indian’s or Chinese are present.
The Rhino hotel has a great restaurant in a lovely setting and we spotted a famous French football team having little pre season break!
But with the sunset no better place to be than the beach. Lots of lovely beach side hotel bars /restaurants to take in the sunset each night!
A lovely, relaxing sunshine hub to get away from it all but still not as far as Caribbean /Maldives etc. Pre Covid we saw it featured with UK holiday companies so post COvid we would expect it to be featured again although is an easy holiday to play & book yourself !
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