Edition 7
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It's Paw Paw (papaya) Time Again *
September 30, 2004
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| Yes,
it's pawpaw season once again in Ghana - it's how we tell time here - by
the glorious fruits in season, and your host Chris is at it again making
pawpaw jam. Here's the recipe shared by Stacey Suyat, former editor of
the U.S. Embassy newsletter: |
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Papaya Pineapple Marmalade
10 cups chopped firm-ripe papaya
1 cup shredded fresh pineapple
1 orange
2 lemons
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
5-7 cups sugar |
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Combine papaya and pineapple in large
saucepan. Squeeze one cup of lemon-orange juice and grate all three citrus
rinds. Add juice, grated rinds, ginger and salt. Bring to a boil and continue
boiling
(moderately) for 30 minutes. Add
5 cups sugar and taste for flavor. Add more if desired. Cook another 30
minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Pour into sterilized jars.
Note: do not store longer
than 6 months - this has never been a problem with us because we eat it
up quickly! |
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Four Villages Inn DVD Collection Expands
* September 28, 2004
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We've
got some great new DVDs for your free viewing enjoyment!
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For the Kids:
Shrek
Finding Nemo
Babe in the City
The Lion King
Lion King 1 & ½
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For the adults:
Kill Bill 1
Kill Bill 2
Romeo and Juliet
Passion of the Christ
The Snow Walker
The Sea (Iceland)
Very Bad Things |
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Choosing Four Villages Inn in the Land of
Hospitality * September 22, 2004
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| Four
Villages Inn has obviously been chosen for its pleasant, tranquil surrounding,
its large comfortable rooms, wonderful breakfast and genuine hospitality,
but recently we were selected because our address reads: "Old Bekwai Road"....turns
out that our visitors Dr. Jones, wife Job and son Dai, who was born in
Ghana, lived at no. 1 Old Bekwai Rd. in the mid 1950's!!! |
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| Dr Jones
and family were revisiting old homes and haunts when he was working here
as a British Gold Coast colonial government forestry officer. In fact Dr.
Jones was responsible for establishing the Bobiri Forest Reserve where
the butterfly sanctuary is located. Four Villages Inn makes frequent trips
with guests to this incredible primary growth rainforest. |
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Old Bekwai Road in the
1950's
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In parting,
Dr. Jones said, "The Ghanaian was nice back in the 50's, but now he is
even nicer!"
Here's what he wrote in our guest
book:
"An excellent establishment - don't
know of any better. Thoughtful, caring and most welcoming and helpful hosts
and delightful facilities. In addition to all this, there was Comfort to
add to Chris' efforts for an excellent trip to the market." |
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A Visitor from Norway - Guest Comments *
September 8, 2004
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Birgit
Schober from Norway writes:  |
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| Best wishes from Norway! Thanks to
you for being a perfect Host. |
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| Thanks to Comfort for being a perfect
Guide. I have to come back. |
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Travel to Ghana ~ Bradt Newsletter Available
Free * September 6, 2004
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Email
Philip Briggs, author of the Travel Guide to Ghana to receive free the
first update to the recently published guide to Ghana.
You get to read all the latest comments
on recent traveller experiences and reader comments in and around Ghana.
The email address is: philari@hixnet.co.za |
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Mole National Park ~ Wildlife Safari *
September 4, 2004
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| Mole
National Park is one of Ghana's premier tourist attractions. Without a
doubt, it is the place in Ghana to see a wide variety of African wildlife
in a natural setting. |
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| On Friday, August 20, Gerhardt and
Angelica Wolf - with host/driver/guide Chris - left Four Villages Inn at
6:00 am in the air-conditioned comfotr of the FVI 10-seater van. First
stop on the way north was Tano Boase to visit the Sacred Grove. Next stop
was just outside Kintampo to visit the majestic waterfalls. |
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| The final leg of the journey involved
a 2 and 1/2 hour drive over a rough road ... the animals aren't at Mole
in their concentrations for no reason!!! |
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| After settling into our basic but
comfortable air-conditioned chalets (US$30.00 each per night), it was time
for a swim in the compact well-maintained pool, along with cold refreshment.
The day ended with a well-prepared supper under the stars and the watchful
gaze of a lone baboon in a nearby tree! |
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| Early the next morning we were out
viewing game in the comfort of the sturdy FVI van, unbothered by the ever-present
tsetse flies. We were accompanied by Ghana Wildlife Service Ranger Isaac
Sarpong, who is also an instructor and perdonal friend of your host Chris.
Here are a few photos taken from the van during our more than 2 hour game
drive following savannah tracks. |
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| We returned to the hotel for breakfast,
a swim and a rest before heading out to Larabanga to visit Ghana's oldest
mosque and another local attraction - the Mystery Stone. |
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| Back at the motel, we sat down to
the Wolf's first adventure in Ghanaian cuisine - Emutuo, which is rice
formed into balls, accompanied by broundnut soup and chicken. The afternoon
was spent lazing by the pool and gazing out on the African veldt - spotting
elephant and antelope with high-powered binoculars. An early night was
welcomed by all. |
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| The African dawn saw us leave the
hotel for the trip back to Kumasi, taking a small detour around the motel's
resident bull elephant called "Brother of Man"! |
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| After an hour's drive, we arrived
at another superb ecotourism site, the Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary,
to see monkeys up close and natural in their primary growth, protected
rain forest habitat. |
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| By late Sunday afternoon, we were
back safe and sound at Four Villages Inn. Total number of kilometres: 957
~ Total Cost: US$300.00 per couple or cedi equvalent plus Entrance Fees,
Motel and Meals. |
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| Here's
what the Wolfs wrote in our Guestbook: "We really enjoyed it very much.
Thanks a lot especially for the wonderful tour to Mole Park. It gave us
a deep impression of this country." |
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Free Excursion to Kofofrom Brass Village
* September 1, 2004
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| For years,
when the occasion arises, we've been taking our guests free of charge to
Kofofrom, the Brass Village. It is our way of supporting the craftsmen
of this little known village. |
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| Until Bradt's 3rd Edition of the
Guide to Ghana, this village has not been mentioned in any guidebook. While
staying with us, Philip Briggs was surprised to hear about it. The next
day we took Ari (his photographer wife) to the village. Here is the result: |
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| CRAFTS:
The numerous craft villages around Kumasi are covered in detail in the
next chapter (Greater Kumasi) but their products - including kente cloth
- can easily be bought at the Kejetia Market, at upmarket hotels, or elsewhere
in the city centre. |
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| "Those with an interest in traditional
sculpture might want to head out to the small village of Kofofrom, which
lies on the Old Bekwai Road roughly 4 kms past Four Vllages Inn. The village
is famous for its brass moulding cooperative, its main product being cremation
urns - though statues and other figurines are also manufactured and sell
from c25,000 upwards. The craftsmen will gladly show interested visitors
how they create the mould, using a combination of beeswax, clay and coconut
hairs." |
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| So, there
you have it ... now that the Brass Village has been located 4 kms from
Four Villages Inn for all the world to read, we officially announce our
offer to take you to Kofofrom FREE OF CHARGE!!! |
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