Gambia

[Tom3108]

Hi guys

Everywhere,,

Unfortunately this is not the Oumie I know. I have had an experience last time I was over there with an Mariama (or something like this) but also like Oumie, this is not the one. I guess a lot of girls have the same names over there, its a bit like over here in Europe where everybody is named Vicky or Jason hahaha

Scottish,

There are no going rates at all, girls just expect a good tip like 800 dallassi or something like this, but all depends on the situation. Sometimes girls just like you so much, they are just happy to be in your compagny.

Frank Africa,

Re Senegambia, I guess taste differs right. I saw it in april and I didn't have the empression that its worn out, I like the reception area. Anyway, I heard they installed new management (previous Kairaba gm) so should be upgraded.

Cant wait to go back, 6 weeks and counting!

[Scottish Male]

Anyone got info on prices actually paid to girl, guard etc for good time either LT or ST.

Thanks

[Everywhere]

Hey everyone.

I was in Gambia in 2003 & 04. I met this girl called Mariama. Please look at the attachment and tell me please if anyone had any dealings with her.

Regards from everywhere.

[Everywhere]

Hello Everybody!

I met a girl called Oumie and I wonder if she is the girl Tom 3108 is talking about. The one I use to know had no taboos either and liked it best in front of a mirrow. Please let me know if she is the one. Please pay attention to the attachement.

Regards from Everywhere

[Everywhere]

Hello Everybody!

I met a girl called Oumie and I wonder if she is the girl Tom 3108 is talking about. The one I use to know had no taboos either and liked it best in front of a mirrow. Please let me know if she is the one. Please pay attention to the attachement.

Regards from Everywhere

[Frank Africa]

Someone sent me a PM asking about taxis and hotels in The Gambia. Thought it useful to post my reply here:

The ride from the airport to the hotels in the Kololi/Kotu/Fajara region should take no more than 20 minutes, and shouldn't cost more than US $10 in local currency. There's a fairly new back road that circles around downtown Serrekunda and the horrible traffic there.

Difficult to quote hotel rates because it depends on what month of the year you'll be there. The Gambia is probably the only country in black Africa that has "high season" and "low season" rates. High season starts in mid-November and goes through the winter - that's when the tourists fly in from Europe.

Even so, you shouldn't have to pay more than $100 for a room, except at the most expensive resorts. Check the Internet for the best rates.

******************

Tom3108 is right, the Palm Beach Hotel is better than the Badala Park.

Final thought - if you arrive in The Gambia and decide that you don't like your hotel, then don't be afraid to move to another one.

[Frank Africa]

Hi Frank,

Senegambia worn out? It was renovated 2 years ago!

They put in a lot of money, I know for sure.

It's also a good location right? This and the Kairaba are the better ones.

I was in The Gambia in December 2004 and stayed at the Kairaba - expensive but great hotel. Stopped by the Senegambia, which is next door to the Kairaba, and it looked to be just as worn-down as my previous visits of the last few years. So if they spent a lot of money, the results aren't very visible.

Yes, the location is good, but IMHO, one can do better than the Senegambia for the same room rate or less.

[Tom3108]

Hi Frank,

Senegambia worn out?

It was renovated 2 years ago!

They put in a lot of money, I know for sure.

Its also a location right?

This and the Kairaba are the better ones.

Brgds,

Tom

[Frank Africa]

Guys, Thanks a lot for all the useful info you already have posted at this forum.

I am planning to go to Gambia for 2 weeks in October and apart from all the questions already posted concerning accommodations, I wonder if somebody has stayed at the Badala Park Hotel or Hotel Kombo beach.

Or has anyone some other accomodation suggestions? I would like to combine my holiday with some beach life, sport activities and of course find a nice girl to spend my holiday with.

Besides that is somebody going to Gambia in the beginning of October? and looking for somebody to go out with?

The Hotel Kombo Beach is right on the water and has an excellent beach. It's part of the Novotel chain of hotels and is a busy place, with lots of activities and one of the better nightclub/discos.

The Badala Park Hotel is newer but a little rougher than the Kombo Beach. You have to cross the road to get to the beach, no big deal. Last time I was at this hotel, the Tam Tam nightclub was nearby (not sure if it's still open).

You'll be ok at either place and have no problems finding women. Another possible nearby option is the Bungalow Beach Hotel.

My only other hotel advice is to stay away from the Senegambia hotel, which was nice 15 years ago but has become run-down, yet still charges higher prices than most other hotels.

[Tom3108]

Hi Guanito,

I am going there end of October, but don't worry, you will meet lots of nice people!
Badala Park is a dump. Try Palm Beach. Its the same management. Much better and on the beach.

You can get good deals on the web.

Tom

[Tom3108]

Hi there,

Thanks for the post

Please send it to my e-mail [Email Address deleted by Admin]

I will post my reply asap,

Brgds

Tom

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[Don Juanito]

Guys,

Thanks a lot for all the useful info you already have posted at this forum.

I am planning to go to Gambia for 2 weeks in october and apart from all the questions already posted concerning accomodation, I wonder if somebody has stayed at the Badala Park Hotel or Hotel Kombo beach.

Or has anyone some other accomodation suggestions? I would like to combine my holiday with some beach life, sport activities and ofcourse find a nice girl to spend my holiday with.

Besides that is somebody going to Gambia in the beginning of October? and looking for somebody to go out with?

Thanks,

Juanito

[Everywhere]

Dear Tom 3108

I was in Serrekunda in 2003. Could you confirm if the girl I meet called Oumie is the same girl you are talking about?

I will try to send an attachment. i still try to figure out how to do it.

Regards from everywhere.

[Tom3108]

I am going to Gambia on the 27th of October.

So happy to return, and the good news is, I am going there for my work so all expenses paid.

Anyone over thee as from end Oct?

Lets have a drink and share some valuable info.

[Frank Africa]

The following comments about security are taken from a recent post I made on the Kenya board of ISG (along with some useful comments from a fellow poster named Auaind - thanks!), and it applies not only in Kenya, but also in The Gambia and almost anywhere on the road these days.

Before going out, I always lock up my passport, air ticket, most of my cash and all of my credit cards in the hotel room safe (most hotels have them). Then I walk around town with only a small amount of cash, plus my US driver's license as an ID. That way, if I get robbed, I will only lose the small amount of cash on me, and if my entire wallet gets stolen, I lose an ID which is not that important when I'm traveling (compared to a passport) and which can easily be replaced when I return home. Even if I'm totally cleaned out, I can always take a cab back to the hotel and go upstairs to the room safe to get cash to pay the cab driver.

This technique also makes it easier to negotiate with a girl - I'm not a very good liar, so it's easier to be able to show my wallet and say "look, this is all I have." And most girls in a third-world country who start out by demanding $100 will usually drop their price down to what I'm offering and have in my wallet, especially if the alternative is no cash at all.

Another idea - I usually carry an old cancelled passport in my baggage somewhere. That way, in the slim chance that I do have my passport stolen, I have the older passport to prove that I'm a US citizen and which will make it easier for the nearest US embassy to issue me a new passport.

My fellow poster Auaind makes the following useful points:
1) Put your wallet in the front pocket of your jeans, not the back- makes it harder to steal!

2) As for hotels, try and keep to the more decent looking places - forking out an extra $20 probably brings you a safer environment, and you avoid the stinky pillows, sheets, mattresses, etc.

3) Rolexes, expensive mobile phones, Mont-Blanc pens etc. stay home (or in the hotel safe).

4) There's been cases of tourists being forced to withdraw cash at ATMs by unscrupulous women and their pimps so better not risk it - another good reason to not carry any credit cards or ATM cards with you when you're out on the town.

*************************

Finally, someone else here on ISG made this recommendation - before you leave the US (or wherever you're from), leave $100 with a trusted buddy. That way, in a true emergency, when someone has stolen everything from you, you can call your buddy and have him send you the cash by Western Union. Even if your passport has been stolen, you can get the old expired passport that you stashed with your dirty underwear, and use that as an ID to collect the money.