good challenge, days 5 and 6 and 7

You say chimps, ruins, and a scarecrow.  I say GOOD Challenge Days 5 and 6 and 7.


DAY 5: Document Something New

On Saturday afternoon, we made a much anticipated trek to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.  Located on the distant side of Freetown, the drive took nearly two hours (mainly due to pre-holiday traffic).  Tacugama is easily the most organized thing I have encountered in this country.  It is truly a well-run operation.  You can read more about it's history at their website here.  The basic gist is the sanctuary takes in rescued chimpanzees, many of which were originally kept as pets.  They are rehabilitated and reintroduced to the wild after a lengthy reconditioning process, which includes an initial quarantine and reintroduction into a social group.  We gathered at the reception building for our 4 o'clock guided tour.  Our guide, Moses, was incredibly knowledgeable, spouting information as he guided us along wooded trails to the enclosure.  Our first stop was an enclosure where a group of chimps were devouring their afternoon meal.  This is where I took the above photo of a 7-month-old chimp...Something New!  We then went to a viewing platform high in a tree before returning to the holding area where the chimps first begin their rehabilitation.  I've included a few photos from the tour:

The entrance to Tacugama.  Note the incredibly steep hill.  4 Wheel Drive was engaged and we were practically reclining in our seats looking up the hill as we ascended.

A sign showing chimpanzee facial expressions.  Watch out EVERYONE!

The first enclosure where the chimps are reintroduced into wild terrain.

DAY 6: Document Art

On Sunday, another group of us Mercy Shippers made another trek, this time to Bunce Island, a place that has been called one of the most important bits of American history in Africa.  Located about 2.5 hours (by fishing boat--peeling paint pictured above) up the River Rokel, Bunce Island was once a very important British slave fort, dating back to the 1700s.  At that time, thousands of slaves were shipped from Bunce to South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and other colonies. (Mary Elaine, if you are reading, anthropologists have linked Bunce slaves to the Gullah people of the Carolina sea islands!)  It operated until 1807, when slavery was outlawed by the British Parliament, and by 1835, it was completely abandoned.  Today, the island is a national monument and lies in ruins.  The vegetation is incredibly lush, the ground carpeted with a weeds that give off a floral, mint-like aroma.  Mohamed, the captain of the fishing boat we chartered, showed us around the ruins and told us bits and pieces of the island's notorious history.  I took nearly 200 photos, so I've only posted a few.  All the more reason to catch up with me when I am home this winter!  In the mean time, you can read more about Bunce Island here.

A bank of cannons along a wall overlooking the river.

A wall near the interior courtyard.

A wall with a tree growing on top of it.  The white webbing is the trees roots.

Part of our group in the middle of the ruins. 

Day 7: Document Autumn

This is about as "autumn" as it gets here on the ship.  This is in the window space of my friends' (Laura Z., Deb, Kate, and Sandra) cabin.  Complete with scarecrow and a few real laminated leaves.