A Journey Through The Ivory Coast

A theme is beginning to emerge across borders along the West African Coast: the tale of two colonies, the French and the English. Both behaviours are becoming notable, with the French colonies having dramatically higher pollution levels than the English.

Welcome to Abidjan, the largest city and former capital of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). This French-speaking metropolis has a population of about 6 million. It accounts for over 20% of the country's population and is Africa's sixth most populous city. Known as a cultural crossroads of West Africa, Abidjan is marked by substantial industrialisation and urbanisation.

Today's five-hour tour, Akwaba Abidjan to Bingerville with Regent Seven Seas on the Splendor, focused on exploring two significant Ivorian cities: Abidjan and Bingerville, which was the capital of Côte d'Ivoire for 25 years in the early 1900s.

As we drove through Abidjan, we saw quite a mix of architecture. The city was transitioning to a modern-day city with the construction of F Tower, the highest tower in Africa. This office building has 72 symmetrical floors, like an African mask. A city on the move!

Given the heavily populated city and the primary mode of transport being vehicles, we were police-escorted throughout the day to ensure we arrived on time and returned to the ship without delay. We felt very privileged (not in a good way) to see all the locals queueing up in traffic to let the cruise passengers explore their country.

Our first stop was the botanical gardens in Bingerville. We quickly rebelled and escaped the four buses unloading for a guided tour, taking the opportunity to explore and take pictures of the park.

Once the weather beat us, we were back on the bus bound for a visit to the tiny Combes Museum, housed in a high school, the Centre Technique Des Arts Appliqués De Bingerville. We bypassed the walk-through to chat with the young art students and enjoyed watching the local artist, Dezy Kouassi, bring the mural to life; he was so kind as to send us a picture once it was finished.

Our garden visit was followed by a trip to Orphanage De Bingerville, previously the governor's house. We enjoyed the learning experience and gifted some books and pencils to help the kids. We were offered a quick tour, and the kids were super excited and raced out of class for quick hellos. We spent the time doing a quick photo show-and-tell. They just loved it, and their smiles again filled our hearts!

The Orphanage, opened in 1953 due to WWII, was for boys and girls aged 5 to 25. Initially, it was coed, but in 1973, it was split due to difficulties managing both.

We wrapped up our tour with a lively music and dance show at the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d'Ivoire. The museum showcases incredible sculptures that depict the traditional ceremonies and rituals of Côte d'Ivoire.

The journey through Abidjan and Bingerville provided a glimpse into the urban transformation and the deep-rooted cultural heritage of Côte d'Ivoire. While the guided tour offered structured insights, the impromptu interactions with locals and spontaneous moments added a personal touch to the experience.