![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/The-Gambia-in-Africa.jpg\" "\\"The")
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#4 Birds<\/h3>\n
The Gambia is a breeding ground for migratory birds and has almost 600 recorded species here. I\u2019m no bird-watcher, but it was noticeable how many different species I saw whilst walking and cycling through the country. West Africa\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0compare with east Africa for its National Parks and wildlife, but birds it has in abundance. And one of course\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0have to pay a price to see them. Taking photos of course is never easier \u2013 this one here isn\u2019t mine.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cHello my friend. Do you remember me?\u201d. \u201cGive me a pen\u201d.<\/p>\n They might not be the words you want to hear (in fact away from the coastal area you won\u2019t hear them much in The Gambia) but if you\u2019re an English-speaker The Gambia is a refreshing break from the rigours of travelling in Francophone west Africa.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re on a long tour and coming all the way from Morocco, The Gambia is in fact the first English speaking country in West Africa, and the last until you reach Sierra Leone. It was once a British colony and most people will at least speak some words to ease your time here.<\/p>\n After dealing with petty officials in French-speaking Senegal and Guinea, The Gambia makes life for an English speaker much easier.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Gambia\u2019s short coastline is one long and very beautiful stretch of palm-fringed white sand, and it\u2019s the main reason tourists come to the country. But not all of its 50km-long coastline is lined with European sun-bathers.<\/p>\n Travel away from the resort area of Senegambia and you\u2019ll have a beach to yourself, maybe even a beach-bar. With the owner\u2019s permission I rolled out my sleeping mat in one such place for a night under a palm-thatched shelter some 20 metres from the Ocean. Beaches make great places to start, end, or break up a tour, particularly in a region like west Africa.<\/p>\n Several countries in Africa claim this title (Ghana and Malawi as well I think?) but compared to neighbouring Senegal, The Gambia is a relaxing buffer, whichever direction you might have come from or border you crossed to arrive here.<\/p>\n Politically stable, at least in comparison to much of the region, The Gambia receives thousands of tourists between October-April. This means that being a Toubab (white person) doesn\u2019t bring with it the same level of curiosity that can sometimes make touring through Africa an added and wearing challenge.<\/p>\n And because of the influx of European tourists during the winter months, it is one destination in west Africa where cheap flights do exist, should you be planning to fly in directly.<\/p>\n There are few dangers, although like elsewhere in Africa muggings do take place, and walking alone at night should be avoided in beach-side areas.<\/p>\n Most people recognise the importance of tourism to the country, and this is reflected in the friendliness and hospitality of the people, which is always amplified on two wheels. And finding accommodation, from cheap mosquito-dwelling Guest Houses to fancy resorts and lodges is not as challenging as elsewhere in Africa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since returning in 2008, he has used his\u00a0Photography<\/a> and experience from the road to\u00a0speak<\/a>to a range of audiences. He has also contributed to the\u00a0Adventure Cycle Touring Handbook<\/a>and\u00a0the\u00a0CTC magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n In August 2009, Peter began his current adventure, cycling from England to South Africa in support of\u00a0 The Against Malaria Foundation<\/a>. The Americas await, and at some point he hopes to stop for long enough to write a book.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n#3 English<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n#2 Beaches<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n#1 Africa for beginners:<\/h3>\n
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