Gorée Island: A Collision of Heavy History and Stunning Scenery

Putting aside its history, the scenery here is absolutely breathtaking. 🏝️ The island is only accessible by ferry, and while the ferry is packed with tourists, once you arrive, the crowd disperses, and you barely notice them. The island is filled with a vibrant artistic atmosphere. � Many artists paint and sell their work, and I even stumbled upon a musician playing the piano—the beautiful melodies made me stop and listen. 🎶 Local vendors often chat in groups, but as soon as a customer appears, they start competing: "Come to my shop! Come here!" 🏃‍♀️ As for prices, they’ll quote you something high and expect you to haggle—honestly, it gave me a headache, and I got tired of it quickly. The island is full of cats, most quite friendly, though some have bad tempers—snatching food or even scratching people. 😼 Many old houses are being restored, and plenty of locals still live here. Sometimes, you might accidentally wander into someone’s home. 🏠 The seawater is crystal clear. 💧 Sipping on a cup of local tea—rich in flavor with a hint of mint—while sitting quietly by the shore makes for a perfect, peaceful afternoon. ☕🌊 PS: The first time I wandered near the port, the guard at the entrance asked for my passport. Since it was already late afternoon, I didn’t go in. The second time, I went early to buy tickets. There were three of us, each from a different country. Maybe because none of us looked like locals, they didn’t check our passports—just charged us the highest ferry fare. 💸 #Dakar #GoréeIsland #Senegal #TravelSenegal