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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Jul 2008 : 15:16:47
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As a woman travelling alone I like the security of the hotel. But I have travelled around Gambia with my guide and hope to do more of that in the future too.
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2008 : 19:58:33
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#65279; #65279; There were many lone female travellers at the Kombo when I was there. There were also a few people who had never been before. I may be wrong but in my experience unless you know someone or a place it must be incredibly difficult for first timers to rent a place in a compound.Ive never seen one advertised or recommended on the tourism sites etc.
I personally have stayed in lodges, compounds, guest houses apartments and hotels while ive visited which is always dependant on where I am and What im doing.
It was actually cheaper to get a package (hotel and Flight) then to get a flight only deal.
I don't think using the Kombo as a base compromised my experience.
I only ate breakfast in the hotel which was in with the cost I refused to pay the ridiculous prices the hotel was charging for refreshments. I always shop and eat locally no matter where I am.
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ricgrey
United Kingdom
12 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2008 : 21:25:25
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Bev and Princess, Sorry, 
I meant for Tourists to look around and find these places.
Any Taxi Driver or "Friend" will direct you to loads of Compounds.
As for Single Women, you maybe safer in a Compound.
You don't get the Hassle you get in Tourist areas.
You are correct about the flight + Hotel, but you don't have to stay with them, once you arrive, you could always have the odd night there, if you Slum it, at the Tourist areas.
Rich... |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2008 : 21:46:50
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I think this illustrates the difference between men and women travelling alone.
I dont mind the hassle at the beach because I know when I go back to Palm beach there is good security and I can sleep safe in my bed or sunbathe relaxed by the pool without hassle.
If I stay at a compound there will be lots of strangers around and I am not sure I could relax to sleep. Gambian men are curious about western women and tend to think they are 'easy'..... How could I relax and sleep under those circumstances?
When I go to Pirang I am welcomed by my guides family like a friend. Next time I am in Gambia I would love to have a couple of nights in Pirang. I would be safe there because my guides family are respected. I would love Sera, my adopted daughter to spend more time with me.
When I go to Kolior I feel safe because I am protected by the Mass family. Even though they are TERRIBLE flirts!!!!   They are friendly and decent men. I would LOVE to be able to go to Kolior and teach. Perhaps one day.......
But if I didnt have a connection with the local people, as a women alone I wouldnt stay in a compound. To be very blunt I think you have a risk of being raped.   The opinion of Western tourists isnt great as you can read on here any day.
I would advise lone women to go to a hotel. At least for their first visit. Better to be safe than sorry. |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2008 : 23:28:07
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No problem Rich
Hmmm if using a pit latrine fetching water from a well and sharing my room twice with a sheep (damn that door lock) is ' sluming it' then don't do bad on my trips.( not in the Kombo I hasten to add!!!)
I have lived in Gambia so im confident travelling alone despite being of the fairer sex.
I actually used the kombo as a base stayed some nights and not others. I travelled to Senegal by public transport alone this trip(no guide or special 'friend') and like you say got no hassle from the men it was the women sellers that were more interested in my nail etc.
The Bumpsters in general do not bother me at least they act in a gentlemanly fashion and are not crude like some of the guys I encounter in Essex.
But like Jambo I was also suprised they were allowed in the hotels etc I suppose my original post was just supporting what Jambo had said.
#65279; #65279; #65279; #65279; |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2008 : 23:39:46
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I personally hated the 'hotel tourist thing' I was actually embarrassed by it.
Ive been hit on more time than Audley Harrison but I find living and working away from the beach/tourist areas this is not the nom. I have found that the compounds I have stayed in the hosts as well as the neighbors go that extra mile to make sure your stay is as comfortable as possible the type of behavior on the beach areas is frowned upon.
I have stayed alone in various parts of Gambia and I can honestly say the fear of rape has never crossed my mind (the fear of putting on 2 stone with the amount of food im given maybe.)
I agree if your a lone first time visitor then it is advisable to stay in a hotel or lodge but for me travelling to the rural areas this is not always an option. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2008 : 14:52:35
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staying in the hotel was convenient, because the flight alone was the same as a package, plus the water was constant. if you are a first time visitor the hotel it eh safest package especially for insurance purposes,
I have never feared the gambians regard being attacked, any incidents I heard off was done by other african nationals that are migrating to the tourist areas for the "easy money".
As the kombo is semi full during off season, and they allow expat in to use facilities okay but in the height of the season the place must be a zoo, at lease with karaba/ senegambi they have nice grounds so you do not feel like you are on top of each other. |
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ricgrey
United Kingdom
12 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2008 : 00:38:51
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Princess,
The Slumming is done in Tourist areas, not in Compounds..
You seem to know the Real Gambia..
Gambev,
You are less likely to be accosted or anything else in the Real Gambia,
Genuine friends, in and around the compounds will look out for you.
Jambo,
"plus the water was constant. if you are a first time visitor the hotel it eh safest package especially for insurance purposes,"
Water is as constant in compounds as Hotels.
Insurance...??? Covers ALL of Country you are in.
Somebody on another Forum said don't use the Non Tourist Taxi's as you won't be insured, I really don't know where this staarted..!!
This maybe of use as well...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293794-i9249-k1961376-Gambian_info_Working_Version-Gambia.html
Rich.. |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2008 : 22:08:00
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Must admit water has never been a problem, electricity yes Generators are great if you remember to buy the fuel sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
As for insurance, most worldwide policy's purchased in the UK, cover vehicle travel as long as the driver has a license etc despite the type of vehicle.
However most do not cover preventative medicines ie Malaria prophylaxis unless they are purchased in the EU. Despite this there are a number of tourist that after spending 100's of pounds on their holiday for the sake of £50 or £60 will risk buy their tablets in the Gambia.Which means that if that person is taken ill, need hospital treatment etc they can find themselves with a hefty bill. |
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