Hotel Africa

Received this picture from our grandson Blake.  You can see a boy on a surfboard with a giant wave in front of him.  It says -

"I love you to the people in Africa."

This is just how we feel - We love the people in Africa, too!

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The day after Christmas we took a 'field trip' with Elder and Sister Hezseltine and drove to what was once the Hotel Africa.  The road leading to the hotel had been a nicely paved 2 lane road with an island and lights down the middle.  Now though, you can only drive on one side of the road, the lights no longer work, and the road is in disrepair.

Sign at the entrance to the hotel grounds.

(The following information about the hotel is taken from the website 'FayzFiles from Liberia')

At one time the Hotel Africa was a 5-star hotel.  It was built for a large Pan-African Conference in the mid-80's.  There were 50 separate villas for each head of state.  

The hotel continued in service right up to the l990's but then the war began and eventually the hotel was looted and has laid in ruins ever since.

The pool was built in the shape of the map of Africa.  We thought this looked like it might be a bar built into the pool where people could be served drinks while still in the water.

View from what was once the hot tub back to the hotel.

It must have been a beautiful hotel when it opened and it is still a very solid structure.

Some local boys walked with us around the hotel ruins.  Elder Berrett asked them what these markings were on their necks and arms.  They told us their fathers' had drawn them to keep away snakes. We asked where they see snakes and they pointed all around us.  I thought to myself,  "There's snakes around here?!  Do I need some stars on my neck??"

We couldn't resist a walk on the beautiful beach.  Even found some sea glass to add to our collection.

Down the beach from the hotel were these fishing boats.  It was interesting to watch them put the boats into the water.  The boats were made of hollowed out logs.

Also close to the hotel was an 18 hole golf course.  Elder Berrett had to check it out.  It's $15 to play and $10 to rent clubs.  Instead of 'greens' they have 'browns'.  Here they are showing us how they smooth the dirt out before you try and putt your ball into the hole.

I have a feeling we'll be coming back for a return visit to the Hotel Africa.