| 
Ghana
has become a cost effective and interesting place
to spend that honeymoon or break. Here are excerpts
from our discussion with Ufoma and James, who had
their honeymoon in Ghana.
What
Transport did you use?
We went to Ghana by road with ABC transport. The
ride is very comfortable but takes a whole day with
some stops at borders/border towns. We used Aero
Contractor Airlines from Accra back to Nigeria.
Did
you book ahead?
Yes.
A few days ahead for both ABC and ACN
What
is their schedule and where can I get information?
ABC
booking are done in LAG. I don't know for ACN. There
are other airlines like bellview and Virgin Nigeria
now. Check their offices.
Which
hotel(s) did you stay in?
Emperor
Suite (Accra - $70 - Double room); Al Rose (Takoradi
- =N= 5000 - Double); Cape Coast (cant remember
name of hotel - about N5000); Airport View hotel
(Accra - $90 - Double room). All hotels allow negotiations
of some sort and are ready to give discounts if
you ask. Don't be in a hurry, take time to negotiate.
Generally, decent hotel prices are from $30 to $100.
What
currency is used while in Ghana and how does the
exchange rate affect travelers?
Cedis,
Dollars, Naira. Note that paying in Naira means
you pay more because their market exchange rates
are lower for the Naira.
Interesting
locations and spots visited?
Some
hotels generally have tourist brochures that can
guide you to plan on ground. However some place
we visited are:
Accra
- Abura Gardens, Zoo.
Takoradi
- beaches
Cape coast - Elmina Castle, Cape coast castle, Kakum
national park (for canopy walk ... don't try it
with a kid), Hans cottage.
Transport type from
airport to hotel?
Taxis.
They are generally cheap so don't worry about that.
Almost all taxis do drop.
What
type of food is available?
Quite
local foods. Be adventurous. Mostly, their foods
are African.
Average
cost of meal?
I
can assure you, it is very cheap. Around N300 but
can be more expensive depending on hotel status.
Eating out is definitely less than N300 per plate.
How
does one contact family back home?
Phone
booths abound everywhere. Ghana Telecom phone cards
are used plus others.
Telephone
average cost
Can't
really tell as I did not finish the cards I bought
but my guess is - not expensive
Did
you travel within Ghana? If so, where? And by what
mode of transport? At what cost?
About
N500 for a 2/3hrs journey - take that as a guide.
Any
more information for our Ghana bound honeymooners?
Experience
is the best teacher. Don't go there feeling apprehensive.
Go have fun. Always ask for directions from at least
two people or better still ask the hotel reception
for direction and guide. Exercise patience - Ghanaian
are never in a hurry. Always negotiate - they expect
you to, except at bus terminals. Even entry fees
into Zoo and parks can be negotiated. If you can,
always pay in cedis. If u intend to buy kente, keep
like =N= 40,000k - it is very expensive.
Things
you wished you took along or planned for?
When
I remember, I will let you know. However, I wished
I had more time and more money to spend
How
much was your total cost?
My
wife and I spent about 140K for everything for about
8 days -- includes airfare and ABC, plus gifts and
other articles we bought. Choice of hotels could
make it more or less expensive.
Editor's
Comment
Some
gift you can buy are shown above. Avoid paying for
any thing in dollars because it comes out more expensive.
Change your money at the airport and pay in cedis.
A personal must visit site is the Cape Coast Castle.
I had a mind blowing experience of the effect of
slave trade of Africa there. Ensure you go with
about =N=100,000, if staying for about a week. However,
if you don't plan buying so many gifts, =N=70, 000
will swing it for a week's stay. If you have honeymoon
ideas, please mail your suggestions and advice to
editor@nigerianweddings.net
|