After a few years in the East of the Continent I am now back in West Africa. I started a new position based in Accra, Ghana from the beginning of the months.
It has been a while since I updated this blog, it has been an eventful 2 year period since my last entry here, but I have generally had a two year hiatus from much online activity at all. I am excited to be back in West Africa, and particularly to be based in Ghana.
I am amazed by the growth in this part of Africa since my last real visit in 2006. Accra seems to have experienced a lot of growth since my initial visit here back then. Many changes have happened since then, a mall, a change in currency and what seems like an incredible amount of housing estates which have sprung up all over the city.
I will make no promises about regular posts here, but I do from time to time update my Picasa pictures website with photos I have taken, it is more likely to have up to date information than here. take a look at the latest pictures of our new office premises which I have been managing the project on.
http://picasaweb.google.com/andre.nel69
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Moving East
After nineteen hot, steamy, difficult months in the Armpit of Africa I will be migrating east at the end of July with a move to Nairobi, Kenya. I am looking forward to some new challenges, a much cooler climate and an easier operating environment than Cameroon... news and pictures to follow when I have relocated.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Lagos contradictions
I just spent a few days in Lagos again, staying in the very swanky Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel in Victoria Island. The hotel rooms were plush and luxurious looking, see picture below:
but I couldn't help but chuckle when looking at the view out of the window to see the view:
More pictures on my Picasa site, see link above.
but I couldn't help but chuckle when looking at the view out of the window to see the view:
More pictures on my Picasa site, see link above.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Bangkok, Thailand Dec 2007-Jan 2008
A selection of my pictures from my recent visit to Bangkok, Thailand are available on my Picasa albulms
Click here to see more photos
Monday, October 01, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
The first time I came to Paris
Something about Paris seems to inexplicably grip my heart and breathe new life. The heartbeat of this city is the people, groups of tourists in every small space, bustling along to take in everything they possibly can. Being one of these people I meander through the many streets barely having time to experience anything, greedy to see everything. An assault to the senses from every side, croissants, coffee freshly brewed, the men in black all huddled around their morning coffee, protecting their precious dark liquid as they read their papers. The immaculate lady, so fashionable, so chic hurries by on her way to some famous name store. Even the names that are not famous seem to have some class. Sierra, Bethanié, Pierre Boisset, Vivaldi.
A busy street and crazy cars rush by, not a moment to spare, things to do, places to be, hurry, hurry. But then the rush is no more again, another coffee shop, Les Philosophes, sounds like a place to relax, sounds sophisticated. Onward again, but a moment to rest on the bridge. I gaze at this magnificent city along the banks of the Seine. Chic apartments hundreds of years old. A lady stands guard over the river cast in stone, motionless she stands observing the boatloads of tourists below. Notre Dame Cathedral behind her she seems to be watchful of the city. The large cranes and new glass buildings seem somehow out of place among the ancient apartments and spectacular masses of stone.
A screech of tires and my thoughts are interrupted. A mother and daughter on bicycles, mother strictly explaining to her young one where to stop, how to start, where to ride, to keep her safe from those crazy cars.
An old lady drags a Chihuahua on a leash, the unwilling dog mans best friend?
I interrupt my walk for a cup of coffee at the Café Panis on Rue Legrange. Entering the glass doors I notice Café Panis etched in a darker stone on the marbled floor. The cracks in the floor seem to show that the Café has been here for some time. The pressed ceilings are gently lit to reveal intricate floral designs. Settling at the table which I am certain has seen many customers over the years I marvel at the sights and sounds of the city outside. People passing by clutching their guidebooks, some venturing in, others scurrying along to new adventures. A group of Japanese tourists are briefly seen, cameras in hand, hurrying to the next photo opportunity.
My daydream is disturbed by the noisy chatter of people, I can hear French and German, perhaps some Spanish and then an American, rather loud, his voice briefly interrupted by the hiss of the espresso machine, there it is again, this time interrupted by a loud cackle of a lady enjoying someone’s joke. A waiter smartly dressed in black trousers, elegant white shirt, undercoat and bowtie brings me my espresso, my required daily caffeine intake. The café is now quite full and new customers are greeted with a cheerful ‘Bonjour’ by the smartly dressed waiter. The hearty laughter of one lady is distinctive above the now constant chatter of the customers. I glance at the clock on the wall and notice that it is frozen at 6h30, a time in the past much like most of the décor in Café Panis, a time when the books on the shelves were less weathered, a time when the tables were new and a time when the crack in the floor was not there.
My coffee now finished I was back in the streets, more places to be, more people to see, so much more of Paris.
A busy street and crazy cars rush by, not a moment to spare, things to do, places to be, hurry, hurry. But then the rush is no more again, another coffee shop, Les Philosophes, sounds like a place to relax, sounds sophisticated. Onward again, but a moment to rest on the bridge. I gaze at this magnificent city along the banks of the Seine. Chic apartments hundreds of years old. A lady stands guard over the river cast in stone, motionless she stands observing the boatloads of tourists below. Notre Dame Cathedral behind her she seems to be watchful of the city. The large cranes and new glass buildings seem somehow out of place among the ancient apartments and spectacular masses of stone.
A screech of tires and my thoughts are interrupted. A mother and daughter on bicycles, mother strictly explaining to her young one where to stop, how to start, where to ride, to keep her safe from those crazy cars.
An old lady drags a Chihuahua on a leash, the unwilling dog mans best friend?
I interrupt my walk for a cup of coffee at the Café Panis on Rue Legrange. Entering the glass doors I notice Café Panis etched in a darker stone on the marbled floor. The cracks in the floor seem to show that the Café has been here for some time. The pressed ceilings are gently lit to reveal intricate floral designs. Settling at the table which I am certain has seen many customers over the years I marvel at the sights and sounds of the city outside. People passing by clutching their guidebooks, some venturing in, others scurrying along to new adventures. A group of Japanese tourists are briefly seen, cameras in hand, hurrying to the next photo opportunity.
My daydream is disturbed by the noisy chatter of people, I can hear French and German, perhaps some Spanish and then an American, rather loud, his voice briefly interrupted by the hiss of the espresso machine, there it is again, this time interrupted by a loud cackle of a lady enjoying someone’s joke. A waiter smartly dressed in black trousers, elegant white shirt, undercoat and bowtie brings me my espresso, my required daily caffeine intake. The café is now quite full and new customers are greeted with a cheerful ‘Bonjour’ by the smartly dressed waiter. The hearty laughter of one lady is distinctive above the now constant chatter of the customers. I glance at the clock on the wall and notice that it is frozen at 6h30, a time in the past much like most of the décor in Café Panis, a time when the books on the shelves were less weathered, a time when the tables were new and a time when the crack in the floor was not there.
My coffee now finished I was back in the streets, more places to be, more people to see, so much more of Paris.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Wildlife spotted out and about
The lizards are found everywhere I have been in West Africa, they must taste terrible because the locals dont eat them, spotted the other spiders around Kribi this weekend and so thought I would include them here too.
A weekend in Kribi
Took a drive to Kribi this past weekend, Kribi is looked on the coast below Douala and features some breathtakingly beautiful scenery with stunning clean beaches, waterfalls and forrest areas it really is idyllic.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A short trip to Limbe
Took a short drive this past weekend up the coastline to a nearby coastal town called Limbe.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
How would anyone like this job?
Spotted this fellow doing his job this morning.... at the top of a 50m tower. Rather him than me!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Welcome to Cameroon
Have started 2007 with a new job in Douala, Cameroon... exciting year ahead of me with many new challenges. A new job, but also a great career opportunity moving into General Management from finance.
Cameroon is very difficult to describe, the differences between countries in West Africa are actually pretty startling.
Biggest challenge ahead of me I believe is that Cameroon is a french speaking country which adds some extra complexities to an already challenging job which I have accepted.
I am living on the 11th floor at the moment and will be posting some views of the city over the coming weeks and months.
Cameroon is very difficult to describe, the differences between countries in West Africa are actually pretty startling.
Biggest challenge ahead of me I believe is that Cameroon is a french speaking country which adds some extra complexities to an already challenging job which I have accepted.
I am living on the 11th floor at the moment and will be posting some views of the city over the coming weeks and months.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
A millionaire for a week
After a week in Ghana I discovered that being a millionaire does not necessarily mean that you are wealthy as I imagine people in many African and South American countries already know. At the time of my visit the exchange rate was US$1=9200 Cedi. This results in some rather bizarre transactions. A meal in a resturant could cost 1Million Cedi, an evening out having a few drinks will cost several hundred thousand cedi, a taxi ride between 30 thousand and 100 thousand Cedi...
Amazingly the largest note available in Ghana at the time of my visit was 20000 Cedi and banks will often supply your cash requirements with only 5000 Cedi notes.... this results in carrying large wads of money around. A case in point was our sunday buffet lunch for 4 people which resulted in a bill of over 1 Million Cedi... fortunately Darren came to the rescue with a bag full of money:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)