What to Do with 18 Hours in Nairobi, Kenya

When it comes to flying between the African continent and any other there are a few major hub cities that you are likely to fly through. The two major African airlines are Ethiopian Airways, with its hub in Addis Ababa, and Kenyan Airways, with its hub in Nairobi. Should you find yourself with a long layover in Nairobi, you should know that there are a lot of really fun activities to do that are easily accessible throughout the city.

In 2016, I had an 18-hour layover in Nairobi, on my way from Ghana to Thailand, and here’s everything I did.

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Hiking in São Tomé’s Obô National Park

Of all the activities that I love to do when I’m traveling, hiking has to be near the top of the list. Getting to walk through the nature and natural beauty a destination has to offer can be a really special way to connect with a place. I try to incorporate hiking into all my travels.

When it comes to São Tomé and hiking, Obo National Park is the place to go. There are lot of different trails, all with varying degrees of difficulties and even an option for a multi-day trip.

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Facing the Slave Trade at Elmina Castle

Because of centuries of colonialism and the slave trade that came with it, Ghana has centuries of traumatic history. However, I believe that it is important to face that history and to learn about it, as a way to gain a fuller understanding of present situations and as a way to prevent atrocities in the future.

The former slave-trading castles in Ghana have all been declared UNESCO Heritage Sites. The two that are most frequented by visitors to Ghana are the Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle. Elmina Castle also has another interesting designation – it’s the first permanent European structure built in West Africa.

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A Safari in West Africa: Mole National Park

When people think of Africa, big animals are usually what comes to mind. Think the Lion King. Being able to see those kinds of animals are typically associated with East Africa. While West Africa has significantly lower populations of those big animals, and some are extinct in the region, there is still a great place in Ghana for a wildlife experience.

Mole National Park is the largest national park in Ghana and one of your best chances to experience wildlife in Ghana.

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Winneba’s Fancy Dress Festival Rings in New Year

On January 1 every year, Winneba hosts the Fancy Dress Festival. (In British English, costumes are commonly referred to as “Fancy Dress.”) A tradition that in a mix of Carnival and local flavor, the festival is a really fun way to kick off the new year.

In Winneba, there are different groups that compete against each other with different dance routines. At the festival, you’ll see hundreds of people dressed in masks and homemade costumes that have spent weeks working on their routines. It can be a long, exhausting day, but it’s a lot of fun to see the dancers, their costumes and the joy of the crowd.

Check out the pictures from this year’s festival!

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Buried in a Snake: Ghana’s Fantasy Coffins

Death is a part of life and every culture has its own rituals surrounding it. Some cultures dictate a quick ceremony and funeral rites while others allow for years. In Ghana, most funeral rites follow the major faiths of the country – either Christian or Islam. In the southern part of the country, most people are buried and cremation is almost unheard of. However, some people get what are called “fantasy coffins.”

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The 13 Traditional Arts of Bhutan

Over the two weeks that I spent in Bhutan, I was constantly noticing small beautiful details. It seemed like every little thing required a closer look. And then, when you got closer, you would find the incredible craftsmanship that went into whatever you were looking at.

Turns out, that’s all by design. Bhutan has 13 traditional arts that imbue a sense of beauty into everything. There’s even a vocational school dedicated solely to teaching these 13 arts, ensuring their practice is carried on.

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Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains

There are two things that I love to do when I travel: trekking and community-based tourism. So when I was planning my trip to Cambodia a few years ago, I was thrilled to find Chi Phat.

I was of course planning a visit to the Angkor Wat Historical Park and wasn’t going to pass up history in Phnom Penh. But I wanted something a little more special and off-the-beaten-path. When I found out about Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains, I knew that was where I wanted to go. Chi Phat is a community-based eco-tourism initiative there.

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The Top 4 Crops of Ghana and their Importance

“Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call her own.” – Samuel Johnson

I think one of the best ways to try to gain an understanding of a country is to understand what are their top crops. Knowing what a country grows and can export can tell you a lot about the culture, such as what foods are important within the country and what is valued by other countries.

Ghana recently celebrated Farmers’ Day, so I thought I’d take a look at the top crops of Ghana.

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Egypt’s Lesser Known Pyramids

The first things that probably come to mind when anyone thinks about travel to Egypt are the Pyramids of Giza. Of course, they are the only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World. They are easily accessible, being right on the border of Cairo, and are very much worth the visit. However, those aren’t the only impressive pyramids to visit on a trip to Egypt.

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