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West Africa, Malta and the Balkans in 1999
BENIN
Bec2004-09-18 20:06:09
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Grand Popo
Another taxi brousse brought me to Grand Popo where I paused to have a look at the Auberge de Grand Popo and its fine beach.
The Auberge de Grand Popo must be a great place for hard-working North Europeans to indulge in a week of quiet relaxation when burnout threatens. As I did not feel like doing nothing, I moved on (besides, the place was empty and there was nobody there to do nothing with!).
Ouidah
It was only a short way to Ouidah, the voodoo center of Benin, where this Snake Temple and the Catholic Cathedral face off in the town square like boxers in a ring.
The Cathedral was getting all the business on the day I was there as they were holding a wedding of some important people in cars with government plates and bodyguards.
The small Ouidah Museum was very interesting thanks to the friendly curator who took time to explain the origin and meaning of the various masks and sculptures.
Cotonou
Cotonou is right on the beach. I chose to show you the efforts of this crowd pulling up a fishing boat rather than a shot of the beach behind me because it is very much like the one I have shown of Lomé's beach.
The Notre Dame Cathedral marks the center of Cotonou where Avenue Steinmetz meets Avenue Clozel.
Benin and more particularly Cotonou is the land of motor bikes, everybody seems to have one and those who don't hire these yellow shirted drivers who replace taxis.
The Hôtel Crillon where I stayed was OK but it certainly was not comparable to the prestigious Paris hotel of the same name, neither was the price of course. Just across the street was a primitive maquis where, everyday, a quartered lamb roasted all afternoon over embers in old oil drum. This made an excellent meal when well cooked, cut in bite-sized pieces, lightly sprinkled with pepper and cumin and served
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See photographs from:
Benin Gallery
