Mile 11

Today was a very restful day. We kind of took our time getting out and about. Anita, Becky & Anicet took a walk along the beach to see the lava flow. Akilah and I figured that we would jus t meet them at Mile 11 for lunch or something; the hotel there is called Seme New. It was estimated that it would take at least two and a half hour; it actually took about an hour and a half.

While they’re taking a walk, Akilah & I just vegetated. It wasn’t until about two and a half hours after they’d left that we decided it was time to head that way. While getting ready, I ask if I should carry my passport, she thinks it shouldn’t be necessary, but then I opt to; just because you never know I told her.

We head up to the road and notice a pair of Gendarme a few meters up from our intersection checking vehicles for documents. We walk towards Bamilèkè to hire a taxi. Two decide to pass us by because we decide not to hire the full car for 1000 CFAs. Eventually we have to hire one, because we figure no one else will really be going in that direction from where we are. So off we go.

As the taxi is about to pass the Gendarme, we’re stopped to show our documents. Boy am I glad I brought that passport. If I hadn’t I could’ve been detained or would’ve had to come up with something creative to convince them to let me go.

The driver continues on to Mile 11. As we turn a corner, I notice Anita speaking with someone on the road we turned off. The cost to enter the beach was 500 CFAs, but you get a ticket for a free drink either on the beach or at the restaurant. We decide to stay where we could be seen, thinking the others have just arrived and are about to enter the beach. We found out later that night, the walk was shorter than originally estimated and someone wasn’t feeling well so they left after a being there for about a half hour or so.

The beach was nice. There were quite a few Cameroonian families, which Akilah finds interesting. This is probably the first time she’s seen residents actually enjoying the amenities of the area.

At one point we walk along a portion of the beach and are almost out of eyesight of the guards that are posted at each end of the Seme Beach area. The guard notices us and calls me over to her. She tells me that walking past the point where we were is a bit dangerous and I should leave my bag. Confused, I give her a look indicating such. This time she tells me that there are armed bandits in that area and it would be more dangerous for me if I had my bag, because they would definitely want it.

Of course I’m thinking, “armed bandits?” That’s okay, I won’t walk that way. She assures me that I can, but to be sure to leave my bag with her. I then reassure her that I’m not that interested in walking there if there’s a possibility of running into an armed bandit.

We spend some time on the beach reading magazines I’d brought with me from the states, and talking. We go to the restaurant to get our drink and have dinner. We have chopped greens and plantains with pamplemousse.

Now the restaurant, the hotel actually, is one place we definitely enjoyed the customer service. From the gentleman at the counter in the lobby area, to the waiter who assisted us when we first entered. We wanted to be sure there was something there we could eat, he assured us that they would be able to put something together for us that we’d like and would be within in our reach (price wise that is). After our meal, we gave a 500 CFA tip to the waiter who actually served us, in addition to the gentleman who assisted us in the beginning (he was very thankful for it).