This proud World Heritage city is best explored on foot so that no detail can escape because there’s nothing better than getting lost in the hidden alleys of Bruges.

Its history in a (very tiny) nutshell

Because of its convenient location, the city grew to be an economical bloomer. In the past, the region was sometimes flooded with salty seawater, turn provided suitable vegetation that promotes sheep farming. Sheep farming resulted then in wool production, which finally grew into a prosperous textile industry.

Thanks to the favorable connection with the sea, the port of Bruges was characterized by many international influences. Even the world’s very first trade fair was created here! Over time, trade was no longer the primary aspect, but cultural developments were also put in the spotlight. Bruges became a famous place for some Flemish primitives, such as Jan Van Eyck and Hans Memling.

De Vesten

The most beautiful places in Bruges (for example the Minnewater – aka the Lake of Love -) are located along the 7 km long green belt around the city. This route is also known as De Vesten. Along the way, you will encounter some more: ancient mills, city gates, parks, and the harbor on the Coupure canal.

In the past, the route counted as many as 30 mills whose purpose was to produce bread, but many disappeared due to the rise of steam engines. Today, only three remain.

Tip: Be sure to climb the hills for a nice view.

The inner city

De Markt, a must-see in Bruges. The 83-meter high Belfry dominates the square, which has been there since the 13th century and can still be climbed today. You have to sacrifice some energy for this though: the stairs to the top count 366 steps. This of course not without a reward! At the highest point, you enjoy a panoramic view overlooking the city and its surroundings. Maybe spot your next stop?

The Belfry is not the only thing the city square has to offer: the Historium takes you back to Bruges in the Middle Ages. At the top of the museum, you see the Duvelorium, the terras with a view over the market where one can enjoy a good, fresh Duvel. (Duvelorium: enter through the entrance of the Historium and follow the signposts)

To the right of the Historium, the Provincial Court has a significant redevelopment story. In the past, it has served as Waterhalle – there’s no direct translation but you could imagine it as a storage warehouse – (13th century) and later as a monumental housing complex (18th century). In 1878 the building caught fire, after which it was repurposed as the Proveniaal Hof.

Furthermore, three things will stand out on the market:

It is the departure point of many horse-drawn carriages. From here the coachmen guide curious tourists around the city with a smile.

Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck proudly look out over the market. Two celebrities from the battle of Flanders.

Numerous restaurants & cafes and their colorful buildings (the perfect insta photo)

Although the Markt appears to be the city’s most significant square, the 14th-century town hall is located on the Burg, the square behind the Markt. From here, Bruges has been governed for more than 600 years. The Burg is therefore the oldest core of the city.

The town hall shares the square with the Mansion of the Brugse Vrije, the former civil registry, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

With this we have discovered the heart of the City. Of course, there is much more on offer:

The Beguinage (aka the Princely Court Ten Wijngaarde)

Like many other Flemish cities, the former Bruges also has its own section intended for the Beguines. Today, the Beguinage is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Jan van Eyckplein

As mentioned earlier, the city was an important trade hub for the region. This spot is also called the Hanseatic Quarter and between the 13th and 15th centuries was the place for international merchants and trading nations to come together.

Tip: order a takeaway pasta (from Bocca) and sit at the water’s edge.

Churches & Museums

The city is rich in museums, which is logical since art, culture, and religion were very present in the past. Some interesting things at a glance:

Onze Lieve Vrouwwekerk: one of the iconic towers of the city. It is 115.5 meters high, making it the second-tallest brick church tower in the world. The showpiece on display in this church is Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child.

Concergebouw circiut: active children at? No problem. Let them enjoy the contemporary and educational experience trail in the concert hall.

Diamond Museum: believe it or not, modern diamond cutting was invented by a native of Bruges in the 15th century. All necessary details and more can be found in the museum itself.

Groeningemusuem: here you will find a collection of Flemish Primitives, including Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling, and Gerard David.

Gruuthusemuseum: under the motto ‘plus est en Vous, the museum (former city palace of Lodewijk van Gruuthuse) presents many pieces that are linked to a Bruges story.

Historium: when you step inside you are immediately transported through time. Back to the Middle Ages. Discover here how it used to be.

Sint Jans Hospital: one of the oldest preserved hospitals in the region, shows how medical care was provided in the past. (!Due to work, not everything will be exhibited, the reopening is planned for autumn 2023!)

The Town Hall: the interior walls here represent history. It is therefore one of the oldest town halls in the Netherlands.

Beer, beer, beer

It wouldn’t be a Flemish city without a brewery. The city has no fewer than 3 breweries in the center. The Halve Maan is the most famous of these because the delicious Brugse Zot is brewed here. Furthermore, Bourgogne des Flandres and Fort Lapin are the additional ones.

In addition to a visit to the brewery(s), you can also find out everything about our delicious Belgian beers in the Bruges Beer Experience museum located on the market.

Shop till you drop

Bruges is a real shopping city. The two largest shopping streets are Steenstraat, Geldmuntstraat, and Noordzandstraat. There is something for everyone: it ranges from souvenir shops to large chains to designer shops.

Tip: No time during the week? Every first Sunday of the month, the streets become car-free and the shops open.

Refuel: Coffee

Being touristy all day can be tiring, so refuel in time in one of the coffee bars in the city. Listed here are my personal favorites:

 Olivier’s Chocolate (coffee & artisanal chocolate): Nothing better than enjoying a fresh cup of coffee and artisanal chocolate with the sun on your face. However, you must get lucky to find a spot on their terrace. Location: Sint-Amandsstraat 14

 Cafune (specialty coffee roaster): where you’re always welcomed with a smile. Try their Moh! coffee, you won’t regret it! Location: Academiestraat 8

Cherry Picker (record store & coffee): maybe it’s not obvious to look for coffee in a record store, but you’ll find this great combo here! Location: Langestraat 74

Refuel: Drinks

La casita (bar with snacks): Good vibes en delicious cocktails guaranteed. Locatie: Sint-Salvatorskerkhof 5

Groot Vlaenderen (cocktail bar): are you looking for a fancy environment? Not a problem! Groot Vlaenderen is known for its appetising cocktails. Locatie: Vlamingstraat 94

Basement cafes (bar): the name speaks for itself. In Bruges, you may encounter cafés that are located in a cellar. It sometimes takes some searching to find the entrance, so keep your eyes open. Two examples of cellar cafes are ‘t Poatersgat and Le Trappiste.

Refuel: Food

That’s toast: all-day breakfast. But no bokes with chocolate, this is about delicious and creative dishes. Please note: it is usually a queue for a table. Location: Dweersstraat 4

Sanseveria: A vintage interior and top bagels. Location: Predikherenlaan 11

Hap: Great place for a quick and filling bite. Location: Zilverpand 16

The Republic: This bar/restaurant is part of the city’s cultural center. Enjoy a dish on their terrace before or after a visit to the city cinema in the same building. Location: Sint-Jakobsstraat 36

Annual events

Bruges is vibrant. Every year there are unmissable (musical or not) experiences. Here are some summarized:

Enjoy!

The post Bruges: an introduction appeared first on Simply By Joy.

When you Google the term “stone stacking”, you’ll find a shit-ton of information. There are lots of different meanings behind these stacked rocks. I’ve seen them before, but on our last hike at the Liechtenstein gorge, I was overwhelmed by the amount. Also at Lago di Braies, on its South side, we encountered plenty. So I became curious. After researching a bit I learned that this practice does more harm than good.

In the outdoor community, it’s usually recognized as a trail marking, but it actually origins in many spiritual and cultural practices. Think of its use in Buddhist tradition or Vikings practices. Even seafarers used stacked stones for navigating long before lighthouses came to be. Because of their wide significance, these types of stones go by different names. Some people call them stone johnnies, cairns, or stacked stones. So you see, before it became a social media trend as we know it today, it actually had (and still has) more purpose.

Leave nothing but footprints

Nowadays, stone stacking is a popular trend amongst hikers so it seems like we need to do some awareness work here. You see… when you intentionally move stones, you displace important ecosystem structures. In addition, moving rocks in any way contributes to soil erosion, as the dirt once protectively tucked under them is now vulnerable. Slowly, we start to turn natural landscapes into peopled places.

Do we want that? No. If we want to keep enjoying the outdoors as we do today, we have to start taking responsibility. “Leave nothing but footprints” preaches that message clearly and effectively.

What to do when you encounter these cairns?

Obviously: don’t add any. You could consider breaking them down if you feel comfortable with it. Only do it when you are sure these cairns don’t serve any other purpose because you don’t want to destroy those intentionally set as navigational aids. In the poll off Adventure Journalism, other co-travelers advise how to. Here I highlight one comment:

“Please dismantle them gently. Knocking them down can irreparably damage sensitive plant and small animal (inc insects and other invertebrates’) habitats. If you’re going to dismantle them, do it gently, or inform park/area staff so they can do so.”

Commented by M. on the forum

Would you like to have more in-depth information? Please read this article here. Next time you and your friends go for a hike, you have something to talk about If you wish to read more about sustainable travel, you might like my last article about flying and its impact. Cheers

The post Rock stacking: why you shouldn’t participate appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Sister Bean

This breakfast-, lunch- and brunch bar is a cozy establishment where you’ll be welcomed with a smile. Serving homemade food and sustainable coffee & tea – empanadas, chai lattes, desserts, healthy salads: these sisters and misters can bring it all. Sister Bean is located at the Vismarkt, Mechelen’s hotspot for the hedonist.

Located at: Vismarkt 26
Find them on the web & Instagram

Funky Jungle

In the shadows of the city’s cathedral, you’ll encounter a paradise for the vegan. Funky Jungle’s menu is 100% plant-based, which is quite exclusive for the city Let me not forget to mention their friendly service and cute interior!

Find them on the web & Instagram
Located at Onder-Den-Toren 7

Beastie Burgers

Ah, my absolute favorite. I like Mechelen even more ever since Beastie Burgers opened up. They offer an extensive assortment of vegan/veggie-friendly recipes on their menu. I recommend you to grab a seat upstairs and enjoy the overview of the Ijzerenleen from the window. Or just… appreciate their cute interior (food truck inside alert!) and focus on the delicious burger in front of you.

Find them on the web & Instagram
Located at IJzerenleen 45

Kato Gateaux

At the corner of the Korenmarkt, you find Kato Gateaux: a plant-based cake & coffee bar. I personally love to sit on their terrace and do some people-watching while enjoying a cup of coffee or sit inside to have a quiet lunch.

Find Kato Gateaux on the web & Instagram
Located at Korenmarkt 11

Merad

This delicious Turkish restaurant offers a big variety of veggie and vegan-friendly dishes. These dishes are clearly marked on their menu, so it won’t be a hassle to find your plate of the day. Merad is located at the Vismarkt (near Sister Bean!), Mechelen’s hotspot for the hedonist.

Find Merad on the web & Facebook
Located at Nauwstraat 11

Sava

Tapas are always a good idea, especially here. Sava is located at the Grote Markt, surrounded by beautiful and historically significant buildings. From their terras (or seat by the window), you can enjoy the ambiance of Mechelen. Ps, may I advise you to try their sangria?

Located at Grote Markt 13
Find them on the web & Facebook

Extra tip: De Vleeshallen

Usually, it’s a challenge for me to find a spot where everyone finds something they like – especially when I’m visiting with a bigger group of people (the herbivore, the veggie, the vegan, along with alllll the other diets that exist). If you are not able to decide where to go this time, you can consider the Vleeshalle. Here you find a mix and match of different restaurants offering a variety of options. My personal favorites are Bubba krokketten and the tacos at Alma Libre.

In the past, the Vleeshalle used to be a place where butchers would sell their meat. Today, it’s a hotspot for the young and the old.

Located at Huidevettersstraat 7
Find it on the website & Instagram

Enjoy your stay in beautiful Mechelen Find more articles about traveling in Belgium here.

The post 6 veggie/vegan-friendly lunch spots in Mechelen appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Deze trotse Werelderfgoedstad verken je het best te voet, zo ontglipt er geen enkel detail. Er is bovendien niets beter dan verloren te lopen in de verborgen steegjes. 

De Brugse geschiedenis in een notendop

Dankzij haar ligging groeide de stad uit als economische bloeier. In het verleden gebeurde het soms dat stad overstroomd werd met zout zeewater, wat op zijn beurt zorgde voor gepaste vegetatie dat de schapenteelt bevorderd. De schapenteelt vloeide voort in wolproductie en dat groeide dan weer verder in een welvarende textielindustrie. 

Door de gunstige verbinding met de zee kenmerkte de Brugse haven vele internationale invloeden. Zelfs ‘s wereld allereerste beurs ontstond hier. Na verloop van tijd was de handel niet meer het primaire aspect, maar kwam er ook een spotlight te staan op de culturele ontwikkelingen. Brugge werd onder andere een befaamde plek voor enkele Vlaamse primitieven, zoals Jan Van Eyck en Hans Memling.

De Vesten

De mooiste plekken van Brugge, bijvoorbeeld het Minnewater, liggen langs de 7-km lange groene gordel rondom de stad. Deze route staat ook gekend als de Vesten. Onderweg zul je het één en het ander tegenkomen: eeuwenoude molens, stadspoorten, parken en de jachthaven aan het kanaal Coupure. 

Vroeger telde de route maar liefst 30 molens die het doel hadden om brood te produceren, maar door de opkomst van de stoommachines verdwenen er vele. Vandaag de dag blijven er nog drie over.

Tip: Klim zeker eens de heuvels op voor een mooi uitzicht. 

De binnenstad

De Markt, een must-see van Brugge. De 83-meter hoge Belfort overheerst het plein, deze staat er sinds de 13e eeuw en is vandaag de dag nog steeds beklimbaar. Hiervoor moet je wel wat energie opofferen: de trap naar boven telt 366 treden. Dit is natuurlijk niet zonder beloning! Op het hoogste punt van de toren kan men genieten van een panoramisch zicht, uitkijkend op de stad en haar omstreken. Misschien een volgende stop spotten? 

Het Belfort is niet het enige dat de Markt te bieden heeft. Het Historium, gelegen aan de rechterzijde van de markt, neemt je terug mee naar het Brugge in de Middeleeuwen. Bovenaan het museum bevindt zich het Duvelorium, dé plek met uitzicht over de markt waar m’n kan geniet van ne goeie, frisse duvel.
(Duvelorium: binnengaan langs de ingang van het Historium en de wegwijzers volgen) 

Het provinciaal Hof, rechts van het Historium, heeft een grote herbestemmingsgeschiedenis. In het verleden diende deze plek als Waterhalle (13e eeuw) en later als monumentaal huizencomplex (18e eeuw). In 1878 vatte het gebouw brand, waarna het herbestemd werd als Provenciaal Hof. 

Verder zullen er op de markt nog drie zaken opvallen:

Het is de vertrekplek van de vele paarden. Van hier uit leiden de koetsiers nieuwsgierige toeristen met een glimlach de stad rond. 

Jan Breydel en Pieter de Coninck kijken trots over de markt uit. Twee bekendheden uit de slag van Vlaanderen. 

Talloze brasserie & caféetjes en hun kleurrijke gebouwen (de perfecte insta-foto) 

Hoewel de Markt het meest significante plein van de stad lijkt te zijn is het 14de-eeuwse stadhuis gelokaliseerd op de Burg, het plein achter de Markt. Van hier uit wordt Brugge al meer dan 600 jaar bestuurd. De Burg is dan ook de oudste kern van de stad. 

Het stadhuis deelt het plein met het Landhuis van het Brugse Vrije, de voormalig civiele griffie en de Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed.  

Hiermee hebben we het hart van de Stad ontdekt. Natuurlijk is er véél meer in de aanbieding:

Het Begijnhof (aka het Prinselijk Hof Ten Wijngaarde)

Net zoals vele andere Vlaamse steden heeft het vroegere Brugge ook een eigen stukje bestemd voor de Begijnen. Vandaag de dag wordt het Begijnhof erkent als Werelderfgoed door Unesco.

Jan van Eyckplein

Zoals vermeld bij de geschiedenis in een notendop was de stad een belangrijke handelsknooppunt voor de regio. Deze spot wordt ook wel het Hanzekwartier genoemd en was tussen de 13e en de 15e eeuw dé plek voor internationale kooplui en handelsnaties om samen te komen. 

Kerken & museums

De stad is rijk aan museums, logisch ook aangezien in het verleden kunst, cultuur en religie zeer aanwezig waren. Enkele interessante zaken op een rijtje:

Onze lieve Vrouwekerk: één van de iconische torens van de stad. Hij is 115,5 meter hoog en daarmee ook de op één na hoogste bakstenen kerktoren van de wereld. Het pronkstuk tentoongesteld in deze kerk is het Madonna met Kind van Michelanglo. 

Concergebouw circiut: actieve kinderen bij? Geen probleem. Laat ze uitleven in het hedendaagse en educatieve belevingsparcours in het concertgebouw.

Diamantenmuseum: believe it or not, het moderne diamantslijpen werd door een Bruggeling uitgevonden in 15e eeuw. Alle nodige details en meer zijn hierover terug te vinden in het museum zelf.

Groeningemusuem: hier vind je een verzameling terug van Vlaamse Primitieven, onder andere Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling en Gerard David.

Gruuthusemuseum: onder het moto ’plus est en vous’ stelt het musuem (voormalige stadspaleis van Lodewijk van Gruuthuse) vele stukken voor die gelinkt zijn aan een Brugs verhaal. 

Historium: bij het binnenstappen word je meteen door de tijd gereisd. Terug naar de Middeleeuwen. Ondek hier hoe het er vroeger aan toe ging.

Sint Jans Hospitaal: één van de oudst bewaarde hospitalen van de regio geeft weer hoe de medische verzorging in het verleden gebeurde. (!Door werken zal niet alles tentoongesteld worden, de heropening is voorzien voor het najaar 2023!)

Het Stadhuis: de binnenmuren beelden hier de geschiedenis uit. Het is dan ook één van de oudste stadhuizen van de Nederlanden.

Bier, bier, bier

Het zou geen Vlaamse stad zijn zonder brouwerij. De stad telt maar liefst 3 brouwerijen in het centrum. De Halve Maan is hiervan de meest bekende, want hier wordt de heerlijke Brugse Zot gebrouwen. Verder zijn Bourgogne des Flandres en Fort Lapin de aanvullende. 

Naast een bezoekje aan de brouwerij(en) kan men ook alles teweten komen over onze heerlijke Belgische bieren in het Bruges Beer Experience musuem gelegen op de markt.

Shop till you drop

Brugge is een echte shoppingstad. De drie grootste winkelstraten zijn de Steenstraat , de Geldmuntstraat en de Noordzandstraat. Er is voor ieder wat wils: het gaat uit van souvenierswinkels, tot grote ketens tot designer winkels. 

Tip: Geen tijd tijdens de week? Elke eerste zondag van de maand worden de straten autovrij en gaan de winkels open. 

Bijtanken & snuisteren

De toerist uitgangen kan vermoeiend zijn, ga daarom dus optijd bijtanken in één van de coffebars van de stad. Hier mijn persoonlijke favorieten opgesomd:

Olivier’s Chocolate (koffie & artisanale chocolade): Er is niets beters dan, met het zonnetje op het gezicht, te doen aan people watching vanaf het terrasje met een lekker kop koffie en chocolade in de mond. Locatie: Sint-Amandsstraat 14

Cafune (specialty coffee roaster): hier word je altijd verwemlkomd met een grote glimlach. Locatie: Academiestraat 8

Cherry Picker (platenwinkel & koffie): misschien geen evidentie om koffie te zoeken in een platenwinkel, maar hier kan het wel! Locatie: Langestraat 74

Li au lait (koffie & breakfast/lunch): gewone koffie/thee is lekker inderdaad, maar geeft mij liever een Nutty Late con Panna (of één van hun andere creatieve samenstellingen). Locatie: Dweersstraat 30

La casita (bar with snacks): Good vibes en heelrijke cocktails gegarandeerd. Locatie: Sint-Salvatorskerkhof 5

Groot Vlaenderen (cocktailbar): zin in een chiquere, gezellige omgeving? Ook geen probleem! Het Groot Vlaenderen staat bekend om haar smakelijke cocktails. Locatie: Vlamingstraat 94

Keldercafés (bar): de naam spreekt voor zich. In Brugge kan je vele cafés tegenkomen die in een kelder uitgebaad worden. Het is soms wat zoeken om de ingang te vinden, houd dus goed je ogen open.
Twee voorbeelden van keldercafés zijn: ‘t Poatersgat en Le Trappiste.

Een hongertje?

That’s toast: all day breakfast. Maar geen bokes met choco hoor, het gaat hier over heerlijke en creatieve gerechten. Let wel: het is gewoonlijk aanschuiven voor een tafel. Locatie: Dweersstraat 4

Sanseveria: Een vintage interieur en top beagels. Locatie: Predikherenlaan 11

De Republiek: Deze bar/restaurant maakt deel uit van het cultuurhuis van de stad. Geniet van een gerechtje op hun terras voor of na een bezoek aan de stadbioscoop in hetzelfde gebouw. Locatie: Sint-Jakobsstraat 36

Jaarlijkse evenementen

Brugge heeft een groot culturrel aanbod. Zo zijn er jaarlijks onmisbare (al dan niet musicale) belevenissen. Hier vind je enkele samengevat:

Voldoende aanbod dus! Veel plezier in het Venetië van België

The post (NL) Brugge: een introductie appeared first on Simply By Joy.

What to do?

Fort Prinzenstein

Besides being a holiday destination, it’s important to point out that Keta is also home to a dark period of history. Fort Prinzenstein was originally built by Danish traders as a defense during the Sagbadre War but later became a place of slave-trade. It’s one of the many forts in Ghana where slaves were taken away from their families and were brought abroad without ever returning. Today, Fort Prinzenstein is a World Heritage Site that is partially destroyed by the sea – just like many other parts of the city that were destroyed by sea erosion -.

Ps: big shout out to the guide of this historical place

Cape St. Paul Light House

Before coming to Keta, I’ve been recommended to visit Cape St. Paul Light House. It’s located in Woe, which is a bit out of Keta, so bear in mind that you’ll be spending some time and money on getting there (approximately 6 GHS one-way). This particular lighthouse was built by the Dutch in 1901 and is now still in use. To be completely honest, I’m not sure if I put it on my “recommended things to do in Keta” list – but just letting you know it’s out there. For a small fee, you’ll be allowed to go to the top.

The beach

Of course, the ultimate activity to do at Keta is to relax and enjoy the beach. Sunrise, day time or sunset, they are all good moments to be out and about on the beach. You’ll encounter local tourists, foreign tourists, fishermen, etc. At sunset, you’ll get the chance to enjoy a short while of horseback riding.

Keta Lagoon

Since we’re still on the topic of water… Did you know that the Keta Lagoon is the largest lagoon in Ghana? Unfortunately, due to climate change and human activity (fishing and salt mining), the lagoon has started to dry up. It’s possible to visit the salt mines, or just walk along the lagoon at some parts. Usually, your transportation will drive past the lagoon when getting into the city.

Where to accommodate?

In Keta, there is something for everyone. Whether you like luxury or sleeping in a hut: everything is possible. My personal favorite goes out to A&Y Wild Camp. It’s the perfect hideout spot located on the beach. This space offers several comfortable huts where you can escape the busy street life of Ghana.

The complete opposite of A&Y Wild Camp is the Aborigines Beach Resort, which I do not recommend because it’s far from sustainable and quite expensive. But hey, to each his own taste. I explored a more affordable hotel next to this resort, named the Keta Beach Hotel (-+ 70 GHS for a twin room).

Foodwise, you could either choose to dine at the hotel or go for street food. My travel partner and I discovered one restaurant which is very recommendable: the Cocobay Beach Bar and Grill.

Convinced to visit? You could consider to continue the journey to Ada Foah and Big Ada. Contact Emo Foundation to fulfill all your needs

The post Keta, a colorful fishing city with history appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Since this big event, the 6th of March is a national day of celebration.

Independence for Ghana – briefly explained

Before colonial presence, the country consisted of a number of independent empires, with the Ashanti being the most powerful one. Because of its abundance of natural resources (gold, fruit, ivory, etc.), European countries had many interests in claiming the land for themselves. And so, after much resistance by the Ashanti, they did. The British rule came to an end after the Second World War when the colonizing country had weakened and lost its overall strength. This and the Convention People’s Party in 1949 are the main reasons that led to the independence of the Republic of Ghana. The Convention People’s Party was led by Kwame Nkrumah (first Prime minister and President) and had the goal of more self-governance for the native people.

Of course, their way to independence was much more than what’s stated in this short article. Like historian Adu Boahen says “Independence was not given on a silver platter but won by blood”.

On the day of independence, Kwame Nkrumah gave an encouraging speech to the people of Ghana, of which his words are still celebrated today. The full speech can be found here.

The flag and its meaning

A new flag, as we know it today, was introduced as the country finally became free from colonial rule. It was created by Theodosia Salome Okoh: a Ghanian artist and introducer of hockey in her country.

The Ghana flag is full of meaning: the black five-pointed star situated in the middle of the flag signifies the emancipation of Africa and unity against colonialism. This star-symbol was introduced by Marcus Garvey during the Pan-Africanism movement. Just like the black star, the colors carry their own meaning too:

In the following video Youtuber Bianca from Bee’s Corner tells you 5 facts about Ghana, including more information on the black star

A message to my readers

This article is merely a brief summary of Ghana Independence Day. There is so much more to learn. Please consult our friend Google to get to know more about the history. I’d also like to emphasize that the country’s history pre-colonization is equally interesting and important to know. Unfortunately, this history is not taught in western schools. Educate yourself

Cheers!

The post 6th of March: Ghanaian Independence Day appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Messengers of God

The Tafi Monkey Sanctuary was built in 1996, but even way before that the monkeys have had some sort of protection from the harmful practices of humans. The ancestors of the community believed that the monkeys served as messengers of God. Even today, the Mona Monkeys live in a free environment and they are in no way encaged. They are wild. Wild, but friendly when you offer them bananas. I mean, who doesn’t like juicy fruit, right?

Of course, the area has much more to offer. The quiet and safe environment is also home to thousands of butterflies and other insects. Also nature-wise, there is a lot to discover. Just like the animals, the area also benefits from the protection and is, in that way, able to flourish freely.

The sanctuary offers tours in the area as a source of income to sustain its business. Just like the monkeys, the local community benefits from the visitors too. Revenues from these tourism practices have brought electricity to the village, as well as improvements to the school and the local clinic.

So overall concluded, the sanctuary has passed my ‘is this the type of tourism i want to contribute to’ test!

Practical

Location	Tafi Atome (Volta Region), Ghana
Entrance fee	25 Cedis per person
Time to spend	About one hour. Perfect to combine with another stop.
What to bring	Don’t forget your bananas!

Planning on traveling to Ghana? Contact Emo Foundation, they will take care of all your needs Cheers!

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