Dec-02_2017
Trip #3 to Dakar Senegal
I've been so busy at work and home that this trip crept up and I felt like I wasn't ready for it. It felt like I was missing something or maybe I got the hang of the travelling thing that it doesn't scare me as much. I certainly learned to pack less stuff for a one week trip. That's it! I only have one luggage this time.
Landed in brussels! Flight from Montreal with Air Canada was great. First time on B787-800. Well fed and managed to watch Atomic Blonde. Found out there is a whole terminal serving Africa! Brussels is one big airport. I thought I was at Disney World for a second, the airport's arrival takes you right through the stores with merchandise before getting out to the main concourse corridor. Travel with one luggage is great! No worries about dragging the carry on around just the knapsack. Easy peasy! On to the next flight to final destination which departs at 11am.
Landed in Dakar! I must say Brussels Airlines is not much to brag about and those Airbus 330 are old and needing an update. The food was ok in comparison to Air Canada. Had lots of time on the flight so I watched Collateral Beauty with Will Smith in it. I cried!! What can I say I'm a softy when it comes to drama!
Interestingly enough I arrived at the old airport and will be flying out of the NEW airport which open Dec-7. The old airport is a disaster! Old, no air conditioning, crowded and dark reminds me of the Lagos airport. I also found out a quarter of the luggage from this flight got open for inspection and rewrapped in saran wrap coming off the carousel. Lucky my luggage didn't get opened.
Day 1 is in the book.
I stayed at the Rysara Hotel in downtown Dakar. The hotel is walking distance to the embassy. The hotel is small but decent. It doesn't have any amenities like the big chain hotels. There is a restaurant on the ground floor where I go for breakfast every morning. The breakfast is included that consists of dried toast, a pastry with coffee and fresh orange juice. Same offerings every morning.
The embassy recommended a few restaurants such as Lagon 1 by the ocean, Le Rond Point Brasserie in Place l'independence. I also found a Vietnamese / Chinese restaurant called Le Dragon. Food was OK. Has its own flavour.
I haven't had much free time to take in the city too much.
I'm leaving today.
