I am a certified Public Accountant based here in the City of Laurel, Maryland.I love outdoor activi...
I am a certified Public Accountant based here in the City of Laurel, Maryland.I love outdoor activities especially during early spring periods and during the winter
Member since:08.07.2008
Reviews:9
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Arrival If you have never been to a third world country you would be pretty shocked the first time you set foot in a city like Douala.I had been out of the place for about 20 years and as our plane was hovering over the air about to land, the view from above can be choatic .You get the impression that people just build houses where ever they choose to.The airport in the city is an international airport but don't go about dreaming that you are about to land in Dulles international or Reagan national.From above it looks like an airstrip.Inside the airport the security people do not bother you if you have the correct travelling papers(passport,vaccination card,visa etc).
Getting around To get to your destination;hotel,private resident, you would need to take a taxi.Make sure that you know the name of the destination.This is no place to be acting as a total stranger.The taxis would be old affairs(most of them),they are personally owned and I do not believe that they went through anykind of safety or emmission controls.The drive to your destination could be frightening for there are hardly any availalbe traffic lights.You would just sit in the car and wonder how come there aren't accidents all over the place. The people driving though seem to somehow know when to stop, when to move-in aggressively and when to drive on the wrong side of the road(there is nothing like driving on the wrong side of the road in this city).You look around and if there is space for you to go, you just go.It gets worse now that there are motorbikes that transport people into remote areas and the bikes can also get you faster through traffic.The bikers do not put on any helmets(they do not own any)and they would cut infront of the mad cab drivers all the time.I used to just look stand at times at one of the round abouts and imagine what it would be like to throw a Maryland state trooper to do traffic control duty here.what is he going to write a citation on?missing traffic turn lights, carrying too many passengers,not wearing a sit belt,driving under the influence(or rather driving while drunk).
Lodging Lodging is easy to find for there are many Western style hotels that you can get into in places like Akwa(check out Akwa Palace), Bonamoussadi,Bonjanjo for between 45 to 50 euros per night.The cab drivers know where all this places are.
Nightlife In the city itself if you want nightlife make sure you are accompanied by somebody that knows the city.There are nightclubs all over the Akwa area of the city .In terms of security, there are no cops that you can call upon when you get into trouble.But get one of locals to hand-out with and you would be okay.Cities are risky places all over the world and Douala is no exception.For food there is plenty of good food at relatively cheap rates.You want grilled fish,roasted chicken,roasted cow meat,we can get all of these.Beer is relative cheap and most of it is brewed locally.For foreign beer you can get Heineken and Guinness in most of the super market.
The country is bilingual(French and English)though in Douala most people there would be speaking French.In terms of cleanliness the city itself would not look attractive in most areas especially during the periods when raining is constantly pouring down.Avoid going there during the months of June through November, that is the raining season.The are mosquitos.You are required to get treatment for malaria.Check with your doctor to find out whether you have a strong immune system.If you do not have one,try to build one up before you venture.If you are looking for ladies, there are beatifull women walking the streets(not hookers)but know how to protect yourself.This applies anywhere in the world(HIV/AIDS,Herpes,many other STDs)you can get them here also.This is a place for adventurers.If you are looking for western type living and facilities do not venture.
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Advantages: Different, off the normal tourist route.Can be fun if you know people there. Disadvantages: Logistic, administrative, accommodation nightmare and dangerous
webfoot 26.03.2003 (26.03.2003)
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