19 January 2007 - Derby Telegraph - James Powell
The Gambia is just a six-hour flight away from East Midlands Airport, with English-speakers and no time difference making it ideal for a spot of no-fuss winter sun, James Powell reports.
I'm sure, like me, that most of you think that winter is something of a drag once Christmas and the New Year is over.
It will be months before we see any warm weather, while driving to work and back in the dark is simply depressing.
The only cure is some winter sunshine and The Gambia could be just the prescription you're looking for.
This small, exotic north-west African country has temperatures in excess of 30 degrees during the summer season, which coincides with our winter.
There is no language barrier, either. The Gambia is a former British colony (gaining independence in 1965) and therefore English is the official language. Most locals speak English well, although generally their own tribal language is their first.
Many tourists would ask for little more, but there are so many other reasons why you should consider a trip to The Gambia.
For a start it can be reached by a six-hour flight from East Midlands Airport - not much further than going to the Canary Islands.
As The Gambia is also on the same time zone there is no jet lag either.
Despite the relatively short flight, arriving at The Gambia is like stepping into a different world. Most of its inhabitants live in considerable poverty, generally with large families living in small compounds. Despite this, everyone seems extremely happy and visitors are absolutely guaranteed a warm welcome.
The Gambia is thriving on its tourism, which means that people from overseas are very well catered for and are not expected to share the same conditions as the locals.
When choosing your accommodation, there are plenty of decent European-style hotels to choose from, most of which are near to the capital Banjul.
Our hotel, the Kombo Beach, is a good example. It has a particularly choice location next to one of The Gambia's many beautiful beaches. The grounds of the hotel are also appealing with several bars and restaurants around a large swimming pool.
There are some luxury options too, such as the Coconut Residence, which has a range of suites in a colonial style. If you are a food lover, this hotel also boasts the restaurant Avocado, which is rated as the best in The Gambia.
Similarly, the Ngala Lodge, a former colonial mansion, offers excellent service and has an excellent sea view from its clifftop position.
If you fancy something a little different, then the Mandina Lodges could be the option for you. This project has been set up by two Englishmen in the heart of the Makasutu Forest.
The solar-powered lodges themselves are luxurious and offer real privacy in a tranquil setting on a tributary of the River Gambia. If you are interested in nature, you can explore the acres of forest and enjoy the incredible variety of birdlife. There's a very good chance of seeing some monkeys and baboons within the grounds.
There are, of course, plenty of other opportunities to explore The Gambia's wildlife, culture and rich history.
The Gambia is very much associated with its past as a slave-trading outpost during colonial times and a lot of interest in the country stems from Alex Haley's Roots saga and the subsequent television serialisation.
Roots documents the story of Kunta Kinte, who originally came from the village of Juffure, before being captured by slavers and taken to America.
This has made Kunta something of a local hero and tourists are very welcome in his village, where people still claim to be his descendants.
Other guided tours are also available and the one we took fitted in an incredible amount during the course of a day.
Our guide showed an extensive knowledge of the wildlife as we rumbled through the countryside. It was also a great chance to see the real Gambia, with its bustling markets and fishing villages. At one village, we had the exciting opportunity to see the day's catch coming in, with people wading out to the boats to collect the spoils.
Education is developing in The Gambia and we also had the opportunity to visit a local school and meet the impeccably behaved children. Small gifts of stationery and pencils are welcomed by the teachers if you choose to pay a visit.
So with the perfect combination of weather, wildlife, scenery and culture are there any downsides?
Well, one thing to remember is that The Gambia is a developing country and tourists are all relatively rich. That makes us a target for so-called "bumsters" who are opportunists who will try to con tourists out of money. They generally make a beeline for people who look a little lost.
The Government has acknowledged that these people can be off-putting for tourists and is attempting to clamp down, but in the meantime, they shouldn't put you off.
Overall, The Gambia offers real value for money and, with such a short flight from our local airport, you shouldn't miss out.
Getting there: The Gambia Experience offers twice-weekly flights from East Midlands Airport.
How much: A week's holiday with bed and breakfast at the Kombo Beach hotel, including flights and other charges, costs from £550 per person. The Gambia Experience is currently offering a late deal on seven nights from £199 departing from East Midlands. You fly on January 26. Call The Gambia Experience on 0845 330 2087 or visit www.gambia.co.uk/travel
Information: Call 0845 330 2087 or log on at www.gambia.co.uk/travel. Bradt's Travel Guide - The Gambia 2nd Edition (£13.99) is also recommended.
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