Lack of Tourists

My Gambia Experience
(What is wrong with The Gambia?)

On my first visit to Gambia from England. I was in Banjul and was approached by 2 plain clothes police officers who said they were Interpol officers and ask me to produce my passport. On inspection they commented on the number of countries I had visited and was duly taken to Banjul police station and accused of being an international pornographer and that an investigation to my background would have to be made which could take 6 weeks , during which time I would be held in prison. However the problem could be resolved if out the kindness if my heart I would make some financial payment. This was done and I was released.

On leaving the country as my bags were being put through the x-ray machine at the airport I was taken to a side room and it was pointed out that in my toiletry bag in my carry on hand luggage was a very small pair of nail scissors and was told I had committed a very serious offence and I could miss my flight while I was interviewed. However the problem could be resolved if out the kindness of my heart I would make some financial payment. This was done and I caught my flight.

Reluctant to return to The Gambia. The second time I went was to meet up with various friends I had made while on other holidays I had in Guinea and Senegal. It was great to see them all again. But this was all marred for the following reasons.

The Married ladies decided to have a girl’s night out at Senegambia. That night they were all arrested by the military and the following day taken to Fajara military base.
I went in to the Military office in Senegambia to find out why they had been arrested if all there paper work and passports were in order.
I was told the military were not interest in their papers or passports. And that any black unaccompanied ladies can/would be arrested and could be held for a considerable length of time.
A visit was duly made to the Fajara military base to find out how we could secure an early release and was told the problem could be resolved if out the kindness of my heart I would make some financial payment. This was done and they were released. This happened again while they were walking along the road near the Amsterdam Dolfin restaurant in Kololi cumulating with the same scenario.
Needless to say they all left the country as soon as possible. The loss of revenue to the country and local community I’m sure succeeded the bribes that had to be paid.

As I was on extended holiday I had to renew my visa at the Immigration office attached to the police station at Kuto. I was told I could only renew it for 2 weeks but if I wanted it for a further 28days the problem could be resolved if out the kindness of my heart I would make some financial payment. This was done and the passport was stamped

Wow poor you. Try this if you ever go again. As is usual the taxi I was travelling in back to my hotel was stopped at the checkpoint entering Banjul. Usually the drivers papers were checked, the boot checked and I was just given a cursery glance and a nod and we were ushered through. On one occasion however, after the usual business with the driver and car an armed guard asked me for my passport, I told him it was back at the hotel as usual and he asked me to get out of the car or give him some money. I refused and said to escort us to the British Embassy where I would then get a representative to speak for me, he just let us through. Later I did speak to an official who said the corruption becoming beyond control over there now and in truth they despise us Brits and only suffer us because we bring in much needed income and I said not for much longer if this carries on. I've been going there for years but I'm thinking it's wise to go elsewhere.

these are terrible experiences you both have had.

i read posts on a gambian website that I am sure would love to hear this.

http://mansata.wetpaint.com