During our stay in Cameroon, we visited Bimbia, was the largest slave trade site in all central Africa. It was quite harrowing and eerie to be there. It felt as if the site was alive with the spirits of the hundreds tortured and murdered there. Among the atrocities we witnessed was a feeding trough where people’s hands and feet were chained together, and they were made to eat with their mouths, hunched over. We saw large pillars where people were chained on top of each other and left to struggle until one remained. The survivor was then sent through the “door of no return” onto a boat to a small island. The island had no food or water and was a holding site for slaves waiting to be taken to the Americas or Europe, sometimes in abundance of two weeks.

We also learned that many tribes people came to Bimbia thinking there was a prosperous life with jobs there because many of their friends and family were taken there and never returned. Once they crossed the bridge into Bimbia, they were kidnapped, chained, and enslaved. It was a very painful place to witness firsthand, but certainly a worthwhile experience for anyone visiting central Africa.

TotalAdventure does not currently . have adventures in Cameroon, but we invite Cameroon companies to apply. For another exotic area in Africa, check out our trip to Ethiopia. https://totaladventure.travel/trips/203383

A glimpse of Douala

I arrived at Douala airport (one of the two biggest cities in Cameroon) late in the evening August 10th, 2019. I was warned before arriving that I would very quickly and easily make friends. This was lucky for me because the very first person I met on the airplane was crucial to my making it safely to my destination. In Cameroon, people tend to be very kind and inviting. Perfect strangers helped me fill out paperwork, navigate the airport and safely find my driver.

Once I was in the car, the ride to the volunteer house was about an hour and a half. The city of Douala was such a culture shock- it was almost indescribable. Unfortunately, it was after midnight, so I could not see much, but what I did see was SO different. The city was nothing like my experience of a US city. The infrastructure from roads to buildings were seemingly dilapidated and old. Many markets and shops were simple tents or just products (like bed frames) laying on the side of the street.

Yet, much of the city was still very much awake at 1AM. There were clubs and bars full of people and loud music. The most mouthwatering smell of grilling chicken permeated the air everywhere we went.

Older cars and bikes were driving all over the road in a strictly Cameroonian way of driving. The traffic was another major culture shock. Laws that would be enforced in the US seemed more like suggestions here. Red lights don’t necessarily mean stop- they mean look before you go. Many roads were not divided into lanes, and the ones that were were completely ignored. Cars weaves around each other sometimes squeezing four side by side. Bikes, pedestrians, and cars shared the road equally.

Perhaps the scariest part is when we were stopped at two roadblocks- one leaving Douala and one entering Limbe- by police. They just wanted to check our identification, but they were holding very threatening machine guns and were not very friendly. The stretch between the cities was very natural and forested, but too dark to see anything.

Limbe

I woke up to the sounds of an animal orchestra outside of the research house. Combined with the sounds of all the primate species at Limbe wildlife center were the screeches of all the neighborhood chickens, cats, dogs, pigs, horses, and other unidentified animals.

Limbe wildlife center is a major attraction of Limbe and the reason why I am here. The LWC is a wildlife education and conservation center. The animals kept here were orphaned as a result of bushmeat hunting or the pet trade. This is a huge issue in Cameroon and throughout Africa. Animals are often killed for meat, and the infants are kept as pets or trophies in horrible living conditions. They are rescued and brought the LWC for rehabilitation and to live with members of their own species. I am lucky enough to be spending 3 weeks volunteering at this sanctuary.

One of my first stops in Limbe was the local market “old market”. The most efficient way to get there is by motorbike. This was a totally new experience to me- clinging to the back of a bike in weaving traffic. The market was much like stores in Douala where tents or small wooden shelters cover the fruits and vegetables spread on burlap sacks on the ground. There were probably 20 or so shops at the market with a wide variety of African produce. Many merchants will help you find what you’re looking for, and you’re almost guaranteed to go home with a free sample of some new or unique produce.

Just a few blocks from the market is mars bar- a European themed restaurant and bar on Down Beach. Down beach is a black sand beach that stretches along the coast of Limbe. It is not very good for swimming because of the amount of litter, but it is popular for the fishing culture and economy of Limbe. The beautiful Mountain View and the sunset over the ocean also make it well worth the visit.

Finally, another worthwhile attraction is the Limbe botanical garden. The garden is home to many beautiful (and some edible) plants. There is also a “naturalistic” amphitheater, a nearly 200-year-old cemetery, and plenty of beautiful views. While you are there, be sure to check out Hot Spot, a restaurant within the garden that has delicious burgers, and sometimes even cheeseburgers- which are extremely rare in Limbe.

Overall, the breathtaking nature, incredibly sweet and welcoming people, and the laid-back lifestyle of Limbe made it one of my all-time favorite destinations.

TotalAdventure does not currently . have adventures in Cameroon, but we invite Cameroon companies to apply. For another exotic area in Africa, check out our trip to Ethiopia. https://totaladventure.travel/trips/203383

From Samarkand Uzbekistan, TotalAdventure went by automobile to Tashkent where we boarded Air Uzbekistan for the 90 minute flight to Almaty, former capital of Kazakhstan . There will soon be a brief video of our three day stay while we prepared for .our Kyrgyzstan Adventure. Above is Zenkov Cathedral. Almaty remains a very Russian city.

Architecture is reminiscent of Siberia, just a few thousand kilometers to the North.

Soviet style coal plants in the distance. Our air was clean, but it can get dirty in winter.

A Kazakh Government Ministry Building.

Horse Kebab ! Very tasty and low fat.

The surrounding region is arid steppe, with the snowy Tien Shan Mountain range nearby. This article will be updated soon, with more information and a short video. To read about TotalAdventure’s voyage across Central Asia, read the following articles on Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

In February, TotalAdventure returned to Cuba for a third time. The purpose of the voyage was to seek out new Eco Destinations. After 3 days in Havana, we headed East. The video above takes you on our incredible adventure, at times less than 100 miles from Florida !

We drove 500 miles ( 800 km ) toSantiago de Cuba.

The total trip was over 1000 miles ( 1600Km) This is the way to see the real Cuba. Several days of the voyage we saw no tourists at all.

El Faro Matanzas.

River flowing to Ocean, Matanzas.

Saturday Night in Santa Clara.

February is Pineapple Season. Cost 1 CUP, about 4 cents US.

TotalAdventure always stays in AirBnb or Casas Particulares, supporting local people.

February 24,2019 , a Sunday, was a national referendum to determine if the Constitution should be amended. 92% voted in favor.

We arrived in Santiago de Cuba in the middle of the night.

The Caribbean coastline is rugged in most spots.

The beaches have a remote feel, but are easily accessed by nearby roads.

Many idyllic beaches would be prime for ecotourism.

Snorkeling and diving have great potential.

Lunch CUC 10 ( US $ 10.) Privately owned restaurant on beach.

Goats foraging out of the mid day sun.

Cuba’s Highest Mountains, about 6000 feet, 2000m.

Back in Havana.

A horse dines east of Trinidad.

TotalAdventure returns to Cuba this week May 6,2019 to take part in FIT Cuba in Havana. TotalAdventure will be meeting with ecotourism providers to add educational, sustainable tourism. We believe that Cuba’s natural beauty should be shared with their neighbors so close to the North, as well as explorers from all over the world. We look forward to meeting with our colleagues in Havana !

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Cold Northern winds blowing over the tropical Gulf Stream kick up the waves in South Florida.

The Hen

We arrived in Beijing at 5;15 this morning. After a day spent meeting
with our Beijing team, getting train tickets for Mongolia and getting
organized in general we went for an early dinner at Donghuamen Night
Market. On the menu – Tarantula.

Scorpion

Grasshopper

Pigeon

A walk through the market

The Great Helmsmen

Yesterday and last night’ s flight was upgraded to Business for the 10
hour Zurich to Beijing leg – Thanks Swiss !

FOR ADVENTURES IN CHINA, CLICK HERE

ArcticTropic Adventure Travel is currently in preparation for relaunch. Our hard working team in Buenos Aires is retooling the site to be mobile and multilingual. Old technologies such as Shockwave are being discarded. ArcticTropic will be optimized for iPad,iPhone and Android devices, yet will still work perfectly on laptops and desktops. In order to serve both clients and providers worldwide ,ArcticTropic will appear in English, Spanish, Portuguese,French,German, Italian, Mandarin and Cantonese. Providers will be able to sell inventory directly through the ArcticTropic platform,with no third party applications necessary. Relaunch is expected to take place around August 1st.

A smooth 9 hour flight on LAN landed at EZE right on time. Now it’s noon and I’m off to an afternoon of meetings.

FOR ADVENTURES IN ARGENTINA, CLICK HERE