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Muguette
Goufrani 2.
Kindia,
Mamou, More about
Guinea Other articles
by Togo:
Pearl of Africa |
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Precious
Jewels, Grand Ballet and Malinke Music to Charm the
Soul: Several jewels in Guinea's abundant
treasure chest make it a highly attractive tourist
destination; one that's loaded with potential. A
key facet is the rich vibrancy of the culture,
echoing the ATA Congress theme of " Nature, Culture
and Hospitality."
Another
charming jewel in Guinea's tourism crown is the
romantic and captivating Malinke music heard
literally everywhere you go. It's a rhythmic style
that gives inspiration to many West African
artists, even "Les
Ballets Africains," Of
Bridal Veils , Smoking Dogs and Mountain
Maidens Beyond
Coyah a side road, Route de Fria, leads to one of
the country's better known tourist sites, Mount
Kaloulima, which in French we call "Le Chien
Qui Fume," or the Smoking Dog. Look closely at the
mountainside and you will see the strange
resemblance. At certain times,
like when a
thick fog hugs the mountainside, a wispy smoke
seems to rise from the animal's
mouth.
Our first overnight stop was at the town of
Kindia, (140 km from Conakry) where we
visited the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls or "Le
Voile de la Mariée. " The falls are at their
most appealing during the rainy season, when the
flowing water resembles a delicate bridal
veil. •
Guinea's major ethnic group the Malinke also
reside in parts of Mali, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal,
and at an earlier time ruled one West Africa's
great empires. Malinke are also known to have
originated the best kora musicians in West Africa.
The kora is a unique and popular musical instrument
in the area. For details on the amazing kora- visit
this informative website:
http://www.coraconnection.com/ •
Guinea is
called the Switzerland of Africa, with its
lofty mountains and high plateaus, plus a temperate
climate. The highest peaks are Mount Loura at Mali
Ville (1515 m) and Mount Tinka near Dalaba (1425m).
They also call it the Water Tower of Western Africa
because many rivers take their origin (River
Gambie, Senegal, Niger, etc.) from it. These rivers
and churning rapids, hurtling down the mountains
create beautiful waterfalls. •
Guinea's Tropical Paradise, the Loos
Islands. Our next installment will feature a
trip to Loos Islands, an archipelago located near
Conakry. The key islands are Kassa, Room and
Fotoba. There is also Tortoise Island (where giant
tortoises are protected), Snake and Kid Islands.
With easy access by boat, these islands offer
beautiful white sand beaches for relaxation and
nautical sports. •
Financial development: According to a recent
financial report, the Gulf of Guinea has become one
of the world' s most promising areas for new
petroleum development. This income source in itself
will help expand the infrastructure on which
tourism depends. •
Many Africans call the country 'Guinea Conakry,' to
avoid any possible confusion with Guinea Bissau,
its northern neighbor. •
The language of business and commerce is French and
the currency is the Guinea Franc. If
you are interested in a tour covering the same
route, contact Dunia
Voyages
of Conakry, who have a page on this web
site. Photo
Credits: Muguette Goufrani / Robert Eilets / Guinea
Ministry of Tourism |
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The
story of my journey from the Gulf of Guinea on
Africa's Atlantic Coast to historic Mali Ville in
the northern highlands appears in our bilingual
Africa Travel Magazine. With that in mind, please
consider this online version as an hors d'oeuvre -
the full course banquet will come when you visit
Guinea. I guarantee that your travel experience
will be a feast - and like one of Nat King Cole' s
most famous songs ... Unforgettable! Or as the
immortal Maurice Chevalier would say ...
N
Close
to Coyah is Dubreka Ville, which we visited
several days previously. It is the home of "Les
Cascades de la Soumba, " which features a
spectacular waterfall, water sports and a resort
complex with dining room and comfortable cabins.
(photo below) For information tel. (224) 45 32
44.
Follow
your Dream: Here in the heart of West Africa,
Guineans offer all the ingredients of a "Dream
Vacation," if you long for an uncrowded, unspoiled,
visitor-friendly country. In a class by itself is
Guinea's unending selection of spectacular
landscapes, which unfolded around each bend, like a
cinemascope movie, as we motored through the hilly
'Fouta Djalon' region. Many travelers say that the
Fouta Djalon offers the most striking vistas in all
of West Africa. Put this fact together with the
Did
you know?