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THE FORTRESS AT BUNCE ISLAND (Updated, AUGUST 2009)British Slave Castle, (18th Century)' with closer historical links to North America than any other slave castle' (Joseph Opala).
The tour to the Bunce Island Fortress provides not only a lesson in history but a reflection on our links to the past. Be prepared to be suprised by our very knowledgable tour guides.
Bunce Island, located on the Sierra Leone river (part of an area consisting of the largest natural harbour on the continent) is a tiny finger shaped island just 1600ft/350ft that played a major roll in the Translantic Slave Trade.
------ HISTORY ------
Bunce Island was named for Captain John Bence a wealthy London based merchant and one of the original investor. British traders leased the island from an African king on the north side of the harbour with and agreement to pay rent for the castle and taxes on the exports. Bunce Island offered a wide range of trade goods, including guns and gunpowder, imported cloth, metal goods, alcoholic drinks, and trinkets such as glass beads. The castle purchased slaves, gold, ivory, camwood, beeswax, and cowhides from the local traders.
------ SLAVE CASTLE ------
One of about 40 large commercial forts Europeans built on the coast of West Africa to facilitate the Atlantic Slave Trade. BRITISH slave traders operated here from about 1668 to 1807. During the 140 years of operation, Bunce Island sent over 50,000 men, women & children to slavery on plantations in the West Indies and North America.
The castle was called "Bence Island" but later called Bense, George and Bance Island
Many of the fortifications still exist as does part of the inner and outer walls. Please do not pick up artifacts,climb walls, disturb ruins or leave rubbish.
USEFUL LINKS & ADDITIONAL INFO
(courtesy Joseph Opala, anthropologist and historian)
http://www.yale.edu/glc/priscilla/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4460964.stm
http://www.charlestonmag.com/pop_archive1.html
http://www.terra.es/personal/inkoak/entlyci.htm
http://newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0053
Tours will originate from the GOVERNMENT WHARF/KISSY TERMINAL
Duration: 5hrs (Travel to/from island and tour)
-Cost: Adult $65/child $32 (age3-11)
(service by speed boat-min.4 passg)
-Includes transportation to/from Bunce Island, fully guided tour, tour of surrounding area, snacks & some refreshments.
-Dress Code: very comfortable
-Tickets: MUST BE IN ADVANCE..Afrikasgems Tour/Mt Lion Excursions,8 Beoku Lane, Freetown(Congo Cross) or HARMONY HTL, lungi.
Tel: SL 22 230478/076 254578/77/033 488310/33598101-2
Tel: US 301-830-7502/fax 301-560-5287
email: gems1@mail.com |
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| 2.
HOOKAH DIVING & SNORKELING (updated AUGUST. 2009)NEW TO SIERRA LEONE, THE Hookah Explorer 280 Hookah SCUBA DIVING System. Safe for all swimming levels. Snorkeling taken to a Higher Level!
A relaxing Hookah diving & beach excursion is the perfect break. Diving, great food and the sound of the ocean is hard to beat. Beautiful corals, colorful fish, and so much more can be spotted on the reefs off the Freetown, Sierra Leone Peninsula. Capture the unspoiled beauty away from the crazy crowds.
We can organize your own private scuba & beach sightseeing trip, tailored to your requests!
Experience the reefs around the Peninsula just as the pros would. This system allows you to experience the marine life while being safely tethered to a floating buoy (2 divers at a time) and being supplied with oxygen to a depth of 60ft.
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From the Lakka beach, experienced Dive Master Nelson will take the group out to the first dive location just off the Banana and Ricketts Islands. Here the excursion party will be able to do some diving and spear fishing. On the way there boat staff usually hands out fishing lines for troll fishing. Any fish caught is only an ‘added bonus’ as we have a delicious meal planned for you.
After this location the next stop will be Grouper Rocks. According to Dive Master Nelson these group of rocks have quite a few grouper fish around. It is also an excellent spear fishing spot. On the way back there are several ship wrecks that can also be explored. These wrecks are ideal hiding spots for a variety of fish, making for an interesting dive experience.
Upon return to the Lakka beach, time permitting the fish caught can be grilled and eaten at one of the Lakka beach huts.
Snorkeling flippers and masks will be provided by boat staff for two people to swim and dive at a time. However if you have your own personal snorkeling equipment, you are encouraged to bring them along.
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$75 pperson
Features of the Tour;
TOUR WILL START PROMPTLY AT 8AM, BY ASSEMBLING AT THE AFRIKASGEMS OFFICE, 8 BEOKU LANE (NR. CONGO CROSS) FREEOTWN. AFTER A BRIEF HEADCOUNT WE PROCEED ALONG THE PENINSULA ROAD TO THE VILLAGE OF LAKKA.
AFRIKASGEMS TOUR/MT.LION EXCURSIONS
Tel: SL 22 230478/076813187/033 488310/077541839
Tel: US 301-322-2762/fax 301-560-5287
email: gems1@mail.com |
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| 3.
CITY & MOUNTAIN HORIZONS (updated, AUGUST. 2009)- by -
MOUNTAIN LION EXCURSIONS
We start with one of our most exciting tours which will bring you up to date with some of the history, geography and social structure of Freetown and the surrounding areas. It promises to help you along the way to understanding this diverse society and the strides being undertaken to find it's original esteemed position in the West African Diaspora.
The tour really starts with a view of some fine hotels and guesthouses (during guest pick up) and a view of some residential area, while proceeding into the city center and the National Museum. We'll then visit the majestic Law Courts and State House for an introduction into our proud history before regrouping again this time to examine some of the artifacts inside the Sierra Leone National Museum. The Tour then proceeds further into the center of Town for a quick view of the "COTTON TREE", which stands at the center of Freetown and has been depicted in sketches dating hundreds of years. Prior to moving up the hill into the mountains we pay a quick visit to "The St George's Cathedral"(1828) an old bastion of West African/Anglican society. We will then visit "De Ruyter Stone, Freetown's oldest monument, The Martello Tower dating back to 1805, built as protection against military attacks, prior to Ft.Thornton) and finally the Wharf Steps (1818).
After taking in the city sights we will proceed into the hills surrounding Freetown with visits to Fourah Bay College (West Africa's first institution of Higher Education), Kongo Dam (part of the Guma Valley DAM Watershed), Tacugama Chimpanzee Reserve , St Charles' Church(1816)(first stone church in sub-Saharan Africa) and more.
Time permitting, we will end at the Androsa Leisure Center where you may purchase additional refreshments or sort through an assortment of arts and crafts specially selected for you.
Longer more in depth visits to any of the sites are available upon request.
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COST: 35USD 20GBP/CHILDREN 1/2PRICE (3-11YRS)
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Total time..4hr 30min. Complimentary Drink and various snacks included.
Comfortable walking shoes acceptable, comfortable clothing recommended.
Tel: SL 22 230478/076 254579/8/7 /033 488310
Tel: US 301-830-7502/Fax 301-560-5287
email: gems1@mail.com |
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| 4.
Banana Island Excursion (updated May, 2009)History, cultural heritage, flora !!
** NEW SEASON, NEW SCHEDULED TOURS **
THIS SEASON WE WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER SPEEDBOAT SERVICE, HOWEVER WE HAVE A 'NEW' MORE EFFICIENT AND LOCALLY BUILT AND CERTIFIED VESSEL. THIS OF COURSE ASSISTS US IN MAINTAINING SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT FOR HER LOCAL OWNERS, CREW AND SUPPORT STAFF.
************** HISTORY ***********
October 1970 marked the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the occupation of Banana Islands as a FREEHOLD SETTLEMENT for the original descendants. The Banana Islands consists of two small Islands, Dublin (where we will land) and Rickett connected by a bridged piece of land (walkable during low tide).
The original owners were reported to be the Caulkers of Shebro when the British imagined a fitting place for soldiers (ex-slaves) of the American War of Independence who had fought on their side, to reside. After purchase by the Colonial Government the first settlers were taken there on October, 1820—thus the names George St, Abbott St and King’s yard. The unofficial history of this intriguing island will also surprise you. Join us as we investigate the story of pirates, those who sought them, the cannons they used, a limestone gravestone dating back to the 18th Century and majestic Anglican churches calling for attention (both in their historical significance & need for preservation).
The principle occupation on the island was farming and fishing. The lush vegetation will sure amaze you. Expect to see (within season) Mangos, breadfruit, grapefruit, kola nut, palm kernels (palm oil), pineapples, coconuts, YES BANANAS and much more---a once in a lifetime opportunity to touch and eat without chemical processing (provided courtesy of mother nature).
PRICE: $45-75 per Adult/$30-50 child
(Variations based on land/sea package)
Part of the proceeds this season will be donated to preservation and social projects being undertaken by the SIERRA LEONE AMERICA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (SLABA).
--- TOUR INFORMATION ---
DURATION: 7:00AM-5.30PM FULL DAY
INCLUSIONS: Transportation to & from Kent Village and 15MIN boat crossing OR direct service from LUMLEY/ABERDEEN (highly recommended) 2hr crossing/full lunch with drinks/ snacks/guided historical tour & viewing marine, plant and wildlife/bird watching.
Additional drinks and souvenirs available for purchase on the island.
OPTIONAL SIDE TRIPS: Snorkeling & Hooker Reef Diving/Fishing trip.
BANANA ISLAND CHALET STAY- $60 sgl./$60 dbl./$70 tpl. (see additional information)
DRESS CODE SUGGESTED: Comfortable! Bring along swimming or snorkeling gear, walking shoes, change of clothes.
WARNINGS: 1.) STAY AWAY FROM THE LOCAL PALM WINE. 2.) IT'S MANDATORY THAT YOU RELAX AND HAVE FUN!
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Information: courtesy of SL National Museum, video and pictures by staff of Afrikasgems Tours/Mountain Lion Excursions & Banana Island Youth Association.
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AFRIKASGEMS TOUR/MT. LION EXCURSIONS
Tel: SL 22 230478/076254579/8/7 /033488310
Tel: US 301-322-2762/fax 301-560-5287
email: gems1@mail.com |
| 5238 Visits, 42 Images, Shared Album |
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