Volta Region

 We visited Volta Region in May. Volta region is in Eastern Ghana, next to Togo. We could see mountain ridges that were in Togo quite a bit. This is where Ghana's highest mountains are and it is so different from the costal area we live in. It was just beautiful and we enjoyed seeing the different sights. This is going to be a lot of pictures but there is too much beauty to not share it.

Just on the other side of Accra you start realizing you are entering a different world. Everything is more agriculture/farming.

Adomi Bridge, we were hoping to get to this area much earlier in the day but traffic was terrible and it was very late till we got to the place we were spending the night.

I stumbled across Tagbo Falls Lodge online, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect spot. There was a creek just beside the lodge, and since it was the middle of the week it was quiet and we were actually the only people there one night.

Rainy days are so relaxing!

Their food was amazing! And we enjoyed a tour of their farm. 

The children were so tickled with these carved turtle bowls they used for fruit.

One of the best parts was that we spent some time with another guest that grew up in Ghana as a missionary child. The family moved back to Europe before I was born! It was fascinating to hear about how different and yet how the same things are now compared to back then.

Tagbo Falls. A brisk, hour long hike back into the bush we came to this water fall. It was cool and beautiful. And the great thing about these little places, no one else around! And you are allowed to swim under water falls in Ghana!

I wish I would have thought about it that while these places make for beautiful spots to take pictures, swimming suits don't add to the charm!

Early one morning, Kenny and the boys hiked the other trail to the highest mountain in Ghana, Afadzato.

The mountain at the end of this road below is the one they climbed.

There were several reasons for this trip. A chance to explore a new area and get away from the day to day responsibilities and see the tallest water fall in West Africa.

They are working on replacing the bridges on this trail but this one hasn't been done yet.

One of the best parts about Wli Falls was that Gideon (a first year student at the shop and faithful friend since then) used to work near the falls and was our tour guide. It was fun to see him meet up with people he hadn't seen for 5 years. And he did a fantastic job pointing out plants and trees.

Coffee bush, they do grow coffee in this area. But it isn't their main crop.

Cocoa is! I have seen many cocoa trees but never one this full and right down to the ground.

We rounded a corner and there was the falls! There is a taller upper falls that you can't see from down here. Kenny was going to hike up to it but it is several hours of hiking and we decided to enjoy this one and then keep moving.

Austin was brave and swam under this fall. The water isn't very deep but it is very cold.

It was juice mango season. These little mangos are very fibrous but very sweet. You roll them around and bite the top off and suck the juice out. They were everywhere on this trip and we enjoyed them.

Even if they are a sticky mess.

Gideon showed the place he used to work. We picked some mangos there.

Gideon picked this Jack fruit for us. Later at home we 'butchered' it. It has a unique flavor. Kind of good, kind of strange. Kenny has been wishing for another one recently. They aren't native to Africa but grow well here.

The inside of the jackfruit.

I think the highlight of the trip for everyone, was the monkey sanctuary.

They aren't aggresive at all but are well trained in what to do when someone has a banana in their hand! The big male that was the leader of the family had his first and then when he approved, the rest would come.

At one point Brent had one standing on his head so it could eat a banana out of my hand. They weren't interested in being petted. All they were there for were the bananas. When the bananas were gone, they went back into the trees.

After feeding monkeys we drove a bit to some swinging bridges at a waterfall. You had to go down 260 steps to get there. 

I do not enjoy heights so this was far from my favorite part of the trip but it was very beautiful!

We also walked up the hill that is Mt. Gemi. 

You could see Volta Lake in the distance.

That night we slept up on the mountains. On our way to the motel I jokingly told Kenny they probably have 100 steps too. You parked at the restaurant, but the guest house was over 100 steps down! The view was so pretty though and more then made up for it!

Our rooms looked out over and we could watch the lights come on. Then in true Ghana style, the electric went out! 

A few other snap shots. 

These two trees shared some roots.

Beautiful driving! Not all the roads were this nice but the difference in landscape was so enjoyable to see!

On the way home we passed Shai Hills. We visited there a year ago, but still had to stop along the road and see the baboons.

Some interesting load. The one below puts a new spin on shed hauling!