Spain v Switzerland & World Cup Ghana

I confess that I didn’t give much weight to Ghana before the first match, and boy was I proven wrong. And I gave a lot of weight to Australia—and boy was I proven wrong too. I don’t know if it’s overdosing on popcorn that fries your smart cells, but mine were seriously stupid before the World Cup began.
 
Then again, I bet that Spain, Brazil, Argentina or the USA will play in the final final. (I’m so confused about the use of the word “Final” in reference to these World Cup games). Obviously the first three don’t take too much smart cells to figure out, but the USA v England match proved my “dark horse” selection wasn’t so stupid. After their showing in South Africa last year, I couldn’t dismiss them. Come about 2018 they may be up there with the best of them.
 
I truly hope Ghana does not have to face the USA down the line in this tournament if they make it into the next round of finals—quarter finals? (So many bloody finals. Sorry for swearing.) Then again, I’d rather they face the USA than Spain. Ohh, I can’t wait for Spain’s match today. They are my favourites. It’s a Barcelona thing. I can’t wait to see if Spain faces off against Argentina. How are those Spanish Barcelona defenders going to handle Messi? With kid gloves you’d think…we’ll see if it comes to that.
 
And didn’t North Korea give a surprise performance against none other than Brazil? I mean, unknown quantity just put themselves on the beautiful game map. They may not have won, but they weren’t a walk over by any means.
 
While I love Africa and am overawed and moved by the support of all sections of South Africa for all the African teams, the Asian teams are looking good here in Africa. It’s not that surprising if you think back to the Korea/Japan tournament some years back. But I wasn’t expecting it in Africa.
 
As for Africa, I watched the Ivory Coast match yesterday and it really didn’t inspire, unfortunately. Don’t understand why Drogba was kept off until the last quarter. So far, Ghana is the only African team to have won their first group match. Let’s hope the second round of group matches brings more African victories.
 
“Come on Black Stars Ghana!”     
 
Oh, and Saturday: Ghana v Australia. Sheesh. (For new readers, I’m Australian and I live in Ghana—in case you’ve been eating too much popcorn too.)
 
I need some more popcorn—but we ran out of gas. There is no gas in Bolgatanga at all. We’ve had to eat food that doesn’t need heating or buy cooked food from town for a few days. I actually collected firewood to light a fire to make popcorn. I think that makes me a popcorn junkie. And a bit of a football junkie too. But I don’t smoke or drink—except tea. So, hey, pass the popcorn would ya! 
Coastal Highlights Tour of Ghana


Minimum 9 days


Continuing on the Ghana tour theme (we did the All Over Ghana 21 day tour and 7 Day Essential Ghana tours already), this next tour of Ghana is what could be called “Coastal Highlights” of Ghana. If you want to feel the crunch of sand between your toes for 9 days, then this is the tour for you.


Basically, beaches, beaches, and more Ghana beaches. And some castles and culture too. Beach hopping. This is the tour that takes you west from Accra to Cape Coast, then past the best beaches in the Central and Western Regions, and then back to Accra again. You can mix and match this tour with any of the other Ghana tours mentioned, time permitting. But if you just want to chill on beaches, then this is it.


Where does this Ghana adventure lead?


Accra— Cape Coast (Central Region)—Elmina—Kosa/Brenu—Green Turtle/Busua/Butre—Axim—Nzulezo/Beyin—Accra


1. Drive west from Accra to Cape Coast which takes about 3 hours, depending on traffic.


2. Hang out in Cape Coast for a day and visit the Cape Coast Castle.


3. Head on to Elmina where you can visit Elmina Castle or tour around town, and then onto either Brenu Beach or Ko-sa Beach Resort, situated off the same junction, 20 minutes past Elmina.


4. From there, head on past Takoradi to Agona Junction, and then decide whether you want Green Turtle Beach Resort (eco), Busua Beach (variety of lodges including Alaska for backpackers and African Rainbow—classy) or Butre Beach (Ellis Hideout).


5. From here, head on to Axim Beach Hotel, in Axim. There you can laze on one of Ghana’s most beautiful beaches and enjoy the truly stunning atmosphere and perhaps walk into town and visit Fort San Antonio.


6. Head to Nzulezo Stilt Village, the village in the Amansuri wetlands, accessible only by canoe, about an hour from Axim. You can even stay at Beyin Beach Resort, a grass-roots eco-lodge right by Nzulezo stilt village.


7. If that’s too exhausting, just stay put at your favourite beach for a week!


This tour of Ghana was based on one of the maps in our Ghana guide which shows this route around Ghana. Our guide includes 15 maps showing routes all over Ghana for different themed tours. We outline the map in markers, with the stops noted, and the best order in which to travel. This is more or less the textual version of those tours.


We’ll be posting the other travel routes, in writing, over the coming weeks so readers can get a sense of what is possible when traveling in Ghana.


If you want to match these explanations with the maps, you can buy our Ghana travel guide by clicking the buttons on the right. 


Let us know if you have any experience traveling these routes and what you’d suggest others to look out for.


Thanks for reading!

Essential Ghana Tour: 7 Days

“Essential Ghana” tour. 7 Days minimum.

Continuing on the Ghana tour theme (we did the All Over Ghana 21 day crazy tour already), this next tour of Ghana is what could be called “essential Ghana”.  If you only have seven days in Ghana, this will cover the essentials.

Where does this Ghana adventure lead?

Accra— Cape Coast (Central Region)—Kumasi (Ashanti Region)—Lake Bosumtwi (Ashanti Region)—Accra.

This is basically a circuit that can be traveled in either direction. The trip to Lake Bosumtwi is optional, time allowing.

  1. Depart Accra and head to Cape Coast, about 3 hours by public transport, depending on traffic. Enjoy Cape Coast for a couple of days. See Cape Coast Castle, take a tour of town, visit other historical monuments, travel to Elmina. Elmina is about 20 minutes from Cape Coast (15 kilometres), west. Visitors are divided about the Castle visits. My preference is Elmina, but Cape Coast Castle has an excellent exhibit.

  1. Travel from Cape Coast to Kumasi. This takes about 3-4 hours on public transport, depending on the traffic. Kumasi is crazy so be prepared. Crazy, chaotic, hectic, dirty. However, there is a lot to see, particularly from an Ashanti history point of view. Visit the Cultural Centre and the museum there, hang out in the sprawling grounds. Perhaps visit the Kejetia Market in the centre of town for a truly shocking market experience.

  1. Travel to Lake Bosumtwi for a day or overnight. It is the other extreme of Kumasi: tranquil, clean and relaxing. Walk around Lake Bosumtwi or paddle on the lake. It’s definitely worth the one hour trip to the lake if time permits.

  1. Travel from Kumasi to Accra. It takes about 4-6 hours depending on the traffic.

  1. Home James.

This tour of Ghana was based on one of the maps in our Ghana guide which shows this route around Ghana. Our guide includes 15 maps showing routes all over Ghana for different themed tours. We outline the map in markers, with the stops noted, and the best order in which to travel. This is more or less the textual version of those tours.

We’ll be posting the other travel routes, in writing, over the coming weeks so readers can get a sense of what is possible when traveling in Ghana.

If you want to match these explanations with the maps, you can buy our Ghana travel guide for $3.50, clicking on the right for either version, or $7.00 for the two.

Let us know if you have any experience traveling these routes and what you’d suggest others to look out for.

Thanks for reading!
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