Sunday 9th March

Today we had a most splendid day. We left the ship early, and drove with our friends Paul & Jodie and their daughter Aly (3) for an hour out of town, right past the airport to where the road runs out. Then we climbed into dug-out canoes and were taken down the tidal river to a beautiful beach (6° 08’12.68N 10° 22’ 30.98”W if you’re asking) where we swam and relaxed for an hour before continuing onwards by canoe to visit the chimpanzees of Liberia Institute for Biomedical Research on their remote island. These chimps have a ferocious reputation, but they looked very peaceful as we canoed just off their island and threw them fruit and bread, until one of them threw two fist size rocks with incredible force and accuracy at one of our canoes…we made a hasty retreat back to our beach, where we swam and relaxed again before heading for home. Many of our Lebanese friends have chosen this area for their weekend retreats, and the river has a few fine houses along its banks with patios and boathouses and their motor boats spent the day carrying them out to sea and back for fishing. A great day out. Thank you Paul & Jodie. Olly