A review of the Riviera Royal Hotel in Conakry, Guinea from the trip Wandering West Africa. Highlights Modern rooms with excellent amenities. Relaxing outdoor pool and restaurant area. Safe location with security. Many onsite activities like a casino, night club, and tennis courts. Background Originally built in the 60s, this hotel property was recently acquired … Continue reading Experience: Riviera Royal Hotel, Conakry
Spending an impromptu week in Guadalcanal of the Solomon Islands and seeing some excellent World War II sights on the trip, Pacifying the Pacific. Journey I returned to the Solomon Islands because I needed to transit in Nauru and Honiara was the economical choice. I also wanted to explore the Guadalcanal more in depth. This … Continue reading Guadalcanal Revisited
Planning and starting a Stanstastic Tour through the “stans”! The “stans” have been on my list for awhile now and I finally am about to undertake a tricky trip to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and finally Pakistan. If all goes well I would have explore some of the great sights of seven new … Continue reading Stantastic Tour
A review of Pestana Tropico in Cape Verde from the trip Wandering West Africa. Highlights Great location with sea views. Large outdoor pool and lounging area. Comfortable spacious rooms with free wifi. Friendly outgoing service. Background Pestana Tropico is located in Cidada da Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. The hotel is considered one of … Continue reading Experience: Pestana Tropico, Cape Verde
A review of Hotel Halima in Nouakchott from the Wandering West Africa trip. Highlights Conveniently located near embassies and points of interest. Traditionally decorated rooms for a cultural experience. Great restaurant and room service. Friendly service and professional management. Background The hotel is located in the center of town just northwest of the Presidential Palace … Continue reading Experience: Hotel Halima, Nouakchott
A review of the Coimbra Hotel and Spa in Guinea-Bissau from the Wandering West Africa trip. Highlights Popular restaurant for visitors and locals alike. Large garden space terrace with parrots. Central safe location. Great service by Portuguese management. Background Situated at the central point of Bissau-Guinea’s largest city, Bissau, Coimbra Hotel and Spa displays its … Continue reading Experience: Coimbra Hotel and Spa, Guinea-Bissau
Finding a way to physically sneak into Nauru, country 174, without a visa on the Pacifying the Pacific adventure. My original plan to visit the tiny country of Nauru was to fly from Tarawa stay for 5 days and catch the next flight out to the Marshall Islands. Unfortunately while processing my visa, I got … Continue reading Nauru
A review of Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi, The Gambia from the adventure Wandering West Africa. Highlights Central location in tourist hotspot and on the beach Friendly staff Well kept pool and garden area Fun to interact with cheeky monkeys during breakfast Background Located on the coast of The Gambia in West Africa, with a … Continue reading Experience: Kairaba Beach Hotel, The Gambia
Exploring the sights of Tarawa, Kiribati, country 173 on the Pacifying the Pacific adventure. Journey Coming from Samoa, I had a layover in Nadi before my flight to Tarawa, Kiribati. I found the country was also pronounced “keer-ə-bahss”. Previously a British territory, it gained independence in 1979 so most people speak English well. From the … Continue reading Kiribati
Visiting the top sights of Samoa, country 172, on the adventure Pacifying the Pacific. Journey From Tonga, I had a brief transit in Suva after sorting out the messy Fiji Airways post Cyclone Winston schedule. The flight left on time and I was in Samoa before I knew it! Immigration was easy with no questions … Continue reading Samoa