Elmina
on Michael Cashman (Ghana), 14/Apr/2010 23:18, 34 days ago
ElminaCastle was built by thePortugese(a local chief gave away this enormously strategic piece of rock)  later captured by the Dutch, and only became British in the 1870s (an attack failed, so a cash deal was done instead).There are those who say that you don't need to see Cape Coast andElmina- but we find them very different. Partly, our tour is different - atElminait's a tourist group rather than Ghanaian residents, and in a way I miss the seriousness of the Cape Coast tour. But there is plenty to see.This is where the Dutch Governor went out to see the female prisoners in the yard below.They would come from the dungeon where you see Charlotte standing. The selected one would be washed and brought up the wooden staircase and through the trapdoor to the governor.If the woman became pregnant then she would stay as a servant inElminaand the half-caste child would go to school.I'm afraid we were struck by the contrast between the caption and the priestess picture here.The buttresses are structural, but were used by the British army for fitness training - get up the slope using the handrail.On our way in 2 lads asked our names, and on this occasion we told them. On the way out they had these gifts for us, and they also had a request for us to sponsor their football teams - previous donors had apparently given 40,50,60cedis....And then to "One Africa" on the Eastern edge ofElmina for a leisurely lunch.Ghana is of course famous for its chocolate, and we can see a big seam of galaxy chocolate which is actually visible at the surface here.The crabs love it. But Charlotte has other things on her mind. And while I am examining the geology, she is accosted by an agingbeachcombingRastakeen to tell the story of his life.Eventually he starts asking us stuff, including the causes of the Irish conflict, so I give him a little run-down of the key events and influences over the last 400 years. He moves on. Charlotte comes to have a look at the chocolate rock.There is also a little museum, and the following notices catch my eye and remind us of the horror of the slave trade.Elmina and One Africa - thought-provoking, definitely recommended. Ok - text included at long last - thanks for the comment of anticipation Linda!