Some of these have been shared previously, some have not. A handful of them are from my first trip to West Africa in 2005, when I studied abroad in Ghana.
You might want to wear sunglasses, some of these are overexposed.
Kids in the fishing village of Akwidaa, Ghana, 2005
Burkinabe girls in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 2005
Proof that I don’t only take pictures of children. Northern Cote d’Ivoire, on the road to Bamako, 2010
Looking at the sun in northern Ghana during Harmattan, a hazy period from January – March during which winds from the Sahara bring sand and dust, 2005
Near Kokrobite, Ghana, 2005
Waiting for transportation in the Siporex area of the Yopougon neighborhood, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire 2010
Faty on the beach at Lahou-Kpanda, a fishing village west of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, 2010
Anne-Marie and Blessing, my two favorite photo subjects in Accra, Ghana, 2010
Because one photo of Anne-Marie and Blessing is not enough.
Near Kpalimé, Togo, 2005
In between games of Ampe, northern Ghana, 2005
Bamako, Mali during Danse, Danse Afrique, 2010
Boubacar leading me to the grave of Ali Farka Toure. Niafunke, Mali, 2010
Fishermen on the Niger River, north of Mopti, Mali, 2010
Sunset on the Niger River, northern Mali, 2010
Hi.
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the pics of the kids. I think your love for that part of the world really shines through these photos
Thanks Jill!
Wow Phil – these are incredible shots – pictures that vividly remind me of Africa really make my day! Love the shots of the people and especially those of the Niger River. The second pic of the Niger River just looks crazy, I love how you captured that rolling water!
Thanks Mark
I love your photos from Africa as well, especially those from Zanzibar!
If there was ever an award for best blogger to promote Africa, you would have to be near the top! Love these photos and your posts which focus on an area of the world that is so easily forgotten. These photos show what life and beauty really does exist there!
Jeremy,
Glad to shed some light on a place that is rarely in the spotlight.
Thanks for the kind words
Very interesting pictures which portrays the level of development in West Africa and the need for the west to help them to achieve some element of development through tourism.This can be done by contributing meaningfully through the development of tourism which can help to at least provide the basic necessities of life such as food,shelter and clothing which is lacking in the area.
Jude,
Thanks for your comment. West Africa is behind on development, but I think a lot of people will be surprised at how fast things are moving in the region and on the continent as a whole. Tourism can be a help of course. As far as the basic necessities, they’ve got that covered. Very few people are without food, shelter and clothing. Take care, Phil
I love the girls with the flip-flops and the photos of the Niger River. Gorgeous!
Thanks Laura!
These are simply beautiful pics Phil!
Thanks Roy, glad you liked em
Love the photos of the sunsets on the Niger river, they look great.
Thanks Tijmen
Hello! I love this blog and your photos, I have traveled to Ghana before and the photos of the children certainly bring back many fond memories! I am returning to West Africa this summer and in spite of, or perhaps because of, the recent conflicts I am determined to obtain a visa to the Ivory Coast this time. I feel like the suffering that is going on over there is not receiving enough attention and I would like to do something to help. The problem is that I do not have contacts over there right now and I want to send my application for a visa through the post office as soon as possible (i leave for Africa in about four weeks) I was wondering if you knew anyone that I could try to contact for reference. How did you obtain your visa while you were there? (If you needed one) I was thinking of just adding some hotel reservations to my visa application if I can’t find a better way. Take care! best of luck!
Hey Bing,
Great to hear that you have been to Ghana and I’m happy to know you will be returning to the region soon. I also might be visiting cote d’ivoire on this trip (I leave this evening for Senegal). I got a visa easily from the embassy in Accra. I printed out a hotel reservation and that was enough. I don’t think you would need to have contacts, but if you need one you could email me at phil dot paoletta at gmail dot com. Where are you flying from and where are you flying to? If you are flying into ghana you could get the visa there. And I’m pretty sure that the ivorian embassy is back in business in Mali. Email me and we can talk about it further…
B well,
Phil
Really great pics! Especially love all the smiling kids!
Thanks Nicole
Great shots here, Phil! The sunset photo is super artistic, and I love the one of Faty on the beach – the colors are so vibrant!
Christy,
Thanks! The one of Faty is also one of my faves
Great photo collection! The Niger River sunset is gorgeous. I hope your eyes are okay after staring at all of those sun