1 2 ...5 Next »

Mopti, Mali

Posted on September 29th, 2009 in Africa,Mali by robjkentjr

Mopti is the port city hub where you catch boats to/from Timbuktu, Gao or Bamako.  Sévaré is just down the road so we stayed two more nights at Mac’s Refuge and just did a river day trip in Mopti from there.
This is a traditional fishing boat and oar that the locals use here.
Here is a very cramped ferry boat, chickens and all, arriving from Timbuktu.  You should see the rush of taxi boats to unload everyone.
They say the fishing here is superb, an endless bounty of free food.  Too bad the fish live in such fetid .
The fishing bounty out of the , in full light.
I have never enjoyed soap bubbles as much as this little girl.
It is flood season so the river is right up to the houses.
Sunset on the river with a child poling his boat.
The heat is still oppressive so a fan room with breakfast at Mac’s was a great treat.  Despite the recent rain sprinkle and extra humidity we are heading back into the desert to see my longtime dream destination of Djenné.

  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dogon Country Day #3

Posted on September 25th, 2009 in Africa,Mali by robjkentjr

This post is titled Day #3 but it is actually about our fifth day here, I condensed it down somewhat.  Our last days were spent exploring the villages at the bottom of the plateau as we made our way back to Bandiagara.
This is an abandoned Tellem village from the 14th century.  This tribe preceded the Dogon and built their homes into the cliff sides for protection against attackers from the plains.
Here you can see the difference in design as the old buildings are contrasted with the new granaries.  This is from Ireli Village.
A woman selling some yogurt-like substance in Tireli Village.
A small girl selling peanut butter in the Sanga market.
The indigo dye vats of Pelou Village.  This style of clothing is their art form of acclaim and, we are told, a must have.  We passed.
For about $2 USD you can feed the crocodile.  A baby goat cost only $20 but we thought a chicken was sufficient.  This was in Amani Village.
This was typical of the plains below.  We were told that the sand has increased in recent years.  Climate change or overgrazing?
Dogon country has been another highlight of this trip and we went a bit crazy with buying artwork here; David was ready to throw our bags out.  Despite this, all of our gear made it to Mopti, our next stop.

  • Share/Bookmark
Tags: , , ,
Next Page »