My first Africa trip - Ghana

When I decided to visit Africa, I purposely tried to avoid the popular destinations like Kenya and South Africa. After looking over the map, I was debating over Ghana, Nigeria or Cameroon. Luckily, I have friends from all 3 countries. Cameroon's infrastructure was weak and Nigeria was kind scary after watching a BBC's documentary on Nigeria. The conclusion, Ghana, although weak in infrastructure (according to my Nigerian friend, Lagos have taller building and better infrastructure), but the government have been stable for years and it is a great place to learn about Africa.

*Quick side note, you must get your Ghana visa ahead of time, I have to mail my application to D.C a month before my trip. Ghana doesn't offer visa at border. Here is a great video on getting your visa. DO NOT use the paid service on the Internet. You can do everything yourself. TRUST ME!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNlzsdKyHZM


On Feb 27th, 2011, I took my first journey to Africa on KLM (Well, technically, the 2nd trip, I was in Tunisia the year before, but that was more of Muslim Africa). When I landed in Accra Airport, it was around 7PM, going through the custom and the agent is asking for $20 (Who does he thinks he is talking to? I'm Chinese and we invented bribery), of course I know what he was talking about, but I played dumb and he eventually let me pass without paying.

Then the baggage inspector, a bit chubby lady, looking through my bag and saw I have a bag of fake newtons. She put her hands on my shoulder and said: "Big boy, I like cookies, can I have it?". I took it that she thinks she is helping me losing weight by taking my sweets away. Nice lady! =P.  Since the fake newtons was only $1.99 and I only had it for me to eat on the plane, I decided to give them to her, she thanked me.

I procced to the exit and someone is holding a sign that says Bau Yupeng (I asked the Hostel to pick me up from airport), he lead me to a taxi outside (must be 20 steps), then ask for tip, I give me $1 and he was complaining that he can't even buy coffee with that (Sorry buddy).

Sitting in the taxi to the hostel, Accra was darker than I expected. Most of the shops around the neighborhood still uses candle and there aren't many street lights, so the street is dark, I can barely see anything.

Arrived at Crystal hostel and the driver charged me 15 Cedi, trying to save some Cedi for future use, I decided to pay him $20 USD and expected him to convert and gave me change back in Cedi, well, he gave me 5 Cedi back, so the taxi ride end up being $24 instead of $10, so much for planning ahead. But I was too tired to bargain, so I let it be.

I checked in at the Crystal Hostel, a single room with two beds and private shower, $15 USD a night, a bargain compare to the hotels which is about $50 a night, and realized that there is no towel, being my first time in a hostel, I didn't know I have to bring my own. So I end up using a t-shirt as my towel for the trip. Also to my surprise, there is no hot water, but it didn't matter since the weather was so hot here.

Fried Chicken and fried rice with black bean sauce.

Hungry, so I decided to get some food, luckily there is a fusion place near the hostel, I had a fried chicken and fried rice with black bean sauce. It was the best meal ever!!!! I was a regular there for the rest of the stay. Picked up a bottle of coca-cola and off to bed I go,  looking forward to the rest of the trip!