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The Glossary
Abidjan Travel Guide
Called the "Paris of West Africa," Abidjan is the largest city and former capital of Côte d'Ivoire. As West Africa's cultural powerhouse and the country' s melting pot of more than 60 tribes, the city is home to a myriad of personalities—from the high-heeled, chic working girls of Le Plateau, to the drum-beating, caftan-clad ébriés (locals). Skyscrapers are unusual in West Africa, but they are common in Le Plateau, the business and banking center from which Abidjan owes its status as the country's economic and commercial capital. Glitzy casinos, fashion districts, and four-star hotels and restaurants remind one of the glamour of this metropolis. Although it remains the world's third biggest French-speaking city, political instability has pulled down Abidjan from the status of being the safest and most desirable destination in West Africa to that of a wavering business hub.
The city stands on Ébrié Lagoon, where boats carry passengers on a romantic ride towards the city's highlights such as the national library and museum, the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral, the daring structure of Le Pyramide, and the thought-provoking Ivorian and African opuses of Cocody Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art, which is near the famous Cocody, a white-sand beach famous for surfing and picnics and studded with mansions and coconut palms. Bassam's beach resorts have hawkers selling cheap souvenirs like trinkets, but for those seeking more varied crafts, there are marchés (markets) right at the city's heart, selling Dan masks, Senoufo wooden statues, and traditional North Eastern musical instruments.
Although not big on wildlife, the Parc du Banco Reserve has pleasant walking trails, trees, and a lake that may refresh one from the sub-tropical heat. Africa's biggest outdoor launderette is just outside the park's gates.
There are many places to savor Ivorian food, especially on the sidewalks. Street food like spiced, fried chicken and plakali (mashed cassava and banana) sell like hotcakes to bar-hoppers cooling down from a dance in deejay-ruled clubs such as those in Princess Road.
Every April, there is the midnight festival of Fête du Dipri in Gomon. During this, naked women and children sneak out of their huts to carry out rites believed to drive out evil spirits. Before dawn, the chief appears, drums pound, and villagers go into trances that continue until the late afternoon of the next day.
User blogs:
Cheaper galactic spaceliner unveiled
News from http://news.ph.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3737940 Richard Branson unveiled Monday a commercial spaceliner offering tourists a cheaper chance to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the splendor of the Earth from space. The British billionaire hopes to offer tickets aboard his spacecraft at a cost of 200,000 dollars each, giving adventurous ... Read full Blog post
Indonesia Eco Tourism
Tour Itenaray Day 01 BALI - LABUAN BAJO – RINCA ISLAND – KOMODO ISLAND (L.D) Pick up from your hotel in Bali and transfer to the airport, for flight to Labuan Bajo (West Flores) for approximately one and half hours. On arrival in Labuan Bajo airport, will be welcomed and met with our local representative or tour guide. Than transfer to the harbour to catch a boat cross to Rinca ... Read full Blog post
San Gimignano and San Pellegrino
Night falls on the flourishing and industrious San Gimignano, its 72 towers stand on the low roofs of the houses lit by the moon. This is not a luxury travel spot but is something you don't see every day. In the distance the clatter of hooves echoed tired in the Via Francigena. The hand of the blacksmith stops beating, the frame of the weaver becomes silent, the streets of the tank only a concert ... Read full Blog post
An Aerial fiesta in Clark Pampanga
Its a party in the sky as multi colored hot air balloons piloted ny different pilots from various partso of the world participated in this annual gathering. As early as 5am, the 2,500 hectare aviation complex at Clar Economic Zone in Pampanga was already crammedi with excitement. Clusters of hot air balloon participants busily prepare their own balloons for liftoff as they need to take advantage of ... Read full Blog post
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