Turtle Islands – the desert island adventure

On our second day we asked our captain to take us to another island called Nyangei to see friends Bex and Tom who are living there for two months.  This involved a slight detour with Adama, a wee girl who was pretty poorly and needed to go the local PHU (Primary Health Unit).  This caused additional fun and games as the tide was out and we were had to skirt around sand banks to avoid being stuck – at times we were more successful than others.

Adama finds a soft place to lay her head

Ishmael - our junior captain

Alhadji - our cook

Nyangei is stunning! We were met by many children shouting the usual greeting “Opoto” (term for white person).  There was a scramble to carry everything we had brought to Tom and Bex’s hut.  We were also met by Mr Caulker who appeared to be a big man on the island and it is very important to greet the important people when you visit.  We had hoped to meet the chief but as it was Friday and the island is predominantly Muslim he was praying.

Nyangei from the boat

Nyangei is one of the most populated islands.  It is hard to work out why as it is all sand with no fertile soil to grow any food.  The men catch fish which plays a major part of the diet but other food and good are bought from traders from the mainland.  That said the ladies do make the most amazing bread.  I know this as we had some for lunch as we sat in the shade of our umbrella while Mr Caulker read Vogue – some moments in life can never be predicted.

Mr Caulker enjoys Vogue

View of Nyangei

Paradise

After 5 weeks on Nyangei Tom and Bex were happy to come back to Bakie with us for some cold beers from the cool box.  We had another delicious meal prepared by Alhadji which followed the most amzing carpaccio of yellow fin tuna prepared by Harry.

Saturday was spent of Bakie where we had a walk around the village, read, ate and finally did some exercise with a swim across to the sand bar which separated us from the Atlantic. A scramble up and we were being buffeted by the waves – wonderful.

We said goodbye ot Bex and tom at 5pm when they were transported back to their island paradise.  We then had a very quiet evening ready for the early start to take us back to Freetown.

Must be said some of the best days I’ve spent in Sierra Leone so far!  I am blessed to be here.