Can’t help you but I bet the folks at LP’s Thorntree can.

Good luck and I can’t wait to hear about your trip!

Sailor, what is LP Thortons’s

lonely planet rhorntree.

Lonelyplanet.com, click on thorntree, they have message boards for all over the world.

lonely planet rhorntree.

Lonelyplanet.com, click on thorntree, they have message boards for all over the world.

Excellant !!!!!!

I am surprised that Frommer’s does not have anything. I wonder why ??

Because dorks from Frommers don’t go to cool places like W. Africa!

Spent a month in southern Benin mostly doing a medical rotation but did do a fair amount of traveling around.

Note that other than Ghana and Nigera the main language is french and its hard to find people who speak much english so if you don’t speak french, getting around might be a bit difficult. However, since Ghana and Nigeria were once english colonies, english is widely taught in schools and spoken.

Benin has a rich history as the Dahomey kingdom that once ruled over much of west africa was based in this country. The religion of "voudou" originated from here (the practice of this religion in Haiti is directed related to the slave trade). And the slave trade also had strong ties from this country as well. So there is a bunch of sites to see along the southern coast and a bit inland to Abomey where the Dahomey kingdom had its focus/capital.

As for travel, pickpockets are abound, esp in crowded market places so be wary. Food was pretty good at least I thought so. Along the coast there were lots of fruit, esp mangos nad pineapples. The food typically consisted of a casava or other root based semi-solid substance that is scooped with hand and dipped into various sauces accompanying it. Not too much variety but different and tasty. For some reason plain yogurt was popular too, I think traced back to companies formulated when france was in power.

Be sure to look into the moonsoon season before you head out to this region as when the rainy season comes, its torrential downpours. Probably not a good time to be out and about. Otherwise, be prepared for some pretty rustic conditions and be flexible with delays and confusion with just getting around. And finally, as a caucasian female, I encountered a lot of unwanted attention and solicitations so be wary of that. There were a lot less western visitors than I had imagined and at times just going to the market or walking down the street I encounted a lot of stares, propositions and uncomfort. Nothing physically violent but at times unnerving.

I’ve heard that Ghana is very nice. White sandy beaches, forts from the colonial era, and much safer than many other places in touristed Africa (although the usual pick-pockets still abound, and caution should still be taken).

Weather seems quite hot at this time of the year. is this usual in Nigeria ?
When do you expect the rainy seasons. I will be travelling in the next couple of days.

any feedback on the strike that happened today ??

what is the general diet of the people in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Liberia etc

Just returned from a 2 week trip to lagos and republic of Benin !!!! 2 weeks in India, 4 weeks in London.
Anyone needs any advise, please feel free to write !!!!!

How did you like Benin? I thought the people were wonderful and nice though I did get a fair amount fo staring and frequently being called a "yovo" which I did find somewhat insulting. Anyway, it was an interesting culture to experience and see and I enjoyed my time there. Where did you end up going? I never went farther north than Abomey but saw all the major stops in the south.

I miss the yummy food…

I was pleasantly surprised in Benin. The roads were wonderful. Quality of food was much better than nigeria. Unlike Nigeria, where it is tough to move around, benin was really nice.

I stayed at a hotel in Porto Novo and the first night was a disaster. My room was crampy and useless, and I paid 175.00 USD a night.

My visit was mostly to Cotonou and Porto Novo. I also had the privilage to be invited by the ex governor of the region who invited me and my hosts to a lunch in his farm house. In the middle of the jungle, he has thousands of acres of palm trees where he makes palm oil and exports. We had to return before dusk as there are wild animals such as lions ans tigers in the jungles.

It was a nice visit !!!

What were you doing there ?