Auberge de Grand Popo

... us he had a place in Gboto and a place in Lome and also offered us a ride after we reached Tokpli in the afternoon, gave us his number and said to call him if we needed him or wanted to return to Gboto. <br>In the US i would never trust a man like this--but my view of hospitality in Togo is that it is much more genuine than in the US. and despite warnings from guidebooks, i trusted most strangers that crossed my path and offered a ride or a meal or a place to stay. The men ...

... beach as you can get, about a three minute walk to the water. There is a good restaurant at the hotel, but I didn't get a chance to eat there.<br><br>After getting a room, I went to the beach. It is beautiful there, but the ocean currents are EXTREMELY strong, so no swimming. I borrowed a mat and took my book out to sit on the beach to read and relax until night ...

... and I'd last been there. But it looked identical, the stick fencing surrounding a red-clay structure 56 kids call home.<br> A few of the kids playing outside quickly ran in to tell the others, and soon enough 56 kids were standing patiently at the orphanage entrance. They helped us with our bags and soon after began singing welcome songs in French and in local dialects. We said thank you, then all stood around for a few awkward minutes, not ...

... Africa, you'd know that these are few and far between, if existent at all! I asked our driver, Neseru, since he only spoke French, how far until the border (where I was sure there would be bathrooms). He sais "not far". So we'd continue, and a half-hour later, Mom wants me to ask again, this time a little more panicky. He answers again, "not far". Another 30 minutes later Mom is telling me to tell Neseru to pull ...

... Oliver and I ventured down to the beach for a swim which was lovely and clean but had a sharp rise causing heavy undertow. Not wanting to risk being swept out to sea we admired the waves before returning to the pool. Later on we walked down along the beach, passing big groups of people, to the slave monument where we met up with Clara and Little Kate who were taking a break from the incredibly long and hot walk home. We spent the ...

... bonus. Jim and T**esa drop the bombshell that they are leaving the tour so th**e is a lot of talk about that. Despite having done the same trip 10 years ago they've decided it's not for them and want to fly from Lagos to Cape Town then make their own way up to Cairo. Fair play to em. Left the hills at 10am. Seemed like a bit of a pointless trip as walks ov**rated - the summit and wat**fall being not worth it. Still it was nice to get out ...

... bungalow and everything!! We originally went there because we had a free night with restaurant paid for due to the mess up in Dassa. We stayed a 2nd cause there was a pool, a gorgeous beach, and despite the lack of atmosphere at the Lion Bar, it was extremely relaxing. So the first night we ate there, since it was free, and enjoyed a 3 course meal with steak and wine!! It would have cost us 60 swiss fancs just for the meal! Hehe so cheeky. The next night ...

... group in Ouidah. Ouidah is known as the point of no return during the time of slavery. First we visited the musée historique then we walked the 4km to the point of no return- it was hot!!! Along the way there were some interesting statues and plaques with information. From Ouidah we took a bus back to Cotonou- imagine a large full size van with 27 people in it! Once back in Porto ...

... were traded and shipped off. Its called the "place of no return". We visted the museum and all the historical landmarks that shows the slave trade in Benin. Benin is known to have been the main slave exporters to Brazil, Haiti, Cuba and United States. I dont know if I've mentioned but there is a huge salsa culture here. Aparently the Cuban and Brazilian slaves after some generations returned when slavery ...