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The Glossary

Pirogue - "traditional canoe"

From Côte d'Ivoire Glossary

For surfers, wildlife wanderers, or for cultural junkies, Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa has a little of everything for everybody. Formerly known as "Ivory Coast," Côte d'Ivoire (pronounced Coat di-Vwar) had been Africa's economic miracle. It was the route of an illustrious North African gold trade during the times of the Roman Empire. Numerous kingdoms ruled its regions and cities, and in the ‘60s, the nation became West Africa's richest. By the ‘70s, Côte d'Ivoire became the world's third largest coffee producer and the global leader in cocoa, pineapple and palm oil exports. Nonetheless, all these changed because of continuing internal power struggles between the country's French colonists and the natives who resisted foreign control.

Although political unrest continues to pose a threat to tourists and businesses in Côte d'Ivoire, many still want to explore the remnants of its glorious past and savor the charm of its struggling present. Modernity sets Côte d'Ivoire apart from its neighboring nations, and this can be clearly seen in Abidjan's famous glittering skyscrapers and Yamoussoukro's majestic basilica, a replica of Rome's St. Peter's. The country also boasts of a modern airways system that takes one to some of West Africa's best natural attractions such as the World Heritage Sites and safaris of Parc National de Taï, Camoe National Park and Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve; a ribbon of Caribbean-like beaches along the Atlantic coast; and the lush panoramic escapes of the Southwestern Forests and Eastern Plantations.

Tradition is also at Côte d'Ivoire's tourism plate. Grand Bassam has avenues lined with the charm of colonial homes. There are more than 60 ethnic groups scattered across the country, ready to astonish visitors with arts and crafts like Korhogo (animal-painted cloth) and musical festivals such as Man (Festival of Masks). Various native dishes such as the attiéké (spiced braised chicken) and shougouilla (charbroiled meat) beckon the visitors. Street vendors are approached often for their aloko (spiced bananas), while bars are frequented for their bangui (palm wine).

User blogs:

A trip to Siargao

Seeing people that are “living their dream” is always inspirational, it looks so rewarding and peaceful, breaking from the chains of conformism, doing what you always dreamt to do since you were a kid, it doesn’t have to make you huge loads of money or bring you world fame just a feeling of self fulfillment, last time I checked, you can’t put a price tag on that one. In Siargao ... Read full Blog post

Bohol and Cebu.. sweeter the second time

As soon as I found out that my twin brother Dennis is coming for a vacation, I was very excited and so happy that after 15 years of being away from him, I’d be spending time with one of the most important person of my life. The one I grew up with… and not only that, I get to meet the love of his life, Steph. Eventhough Cebu and Bohol will bring me back memories of the good times and bad ... Read full Blog post