Abomey

16 FEBRUARY 2023

After a wonderfully relaced start to the day spent in the guest house garden, I set off back to Cotonou and then out on the road to the north heading for Abomey.

Finding the car to Abomey took a bit of asking around in Cotonou and included an encounter with a Benin local who was appalled that I was riding around on the back of motorbike taxis. I have know idea how he expected me to manage any other way in his town.

I waited 2.5 hours for the shared car to leave from Cotonou and then the drive to Abomey turned out to be a long drive north. I’d advice anyone doing the same trip to stop at Abomey on their way towards Cotonou from the north to avoid this doubling back. I also realised that the shared car stopped at Bohicon and I had to get additional transport on to Abomey from the gare routier. Nevertheless, the journey is worth it. I stayed at the delightful peaceful and friendly compound of Chez Monique with an incredible garden full of sculptures. Here a room cost 9500CFA.
In the evening, I met a guide at the recommendation of the manager, Nadege. His name was Sylvain and he spoke good English and fluent French. We negotiated on a cost for a full day tour including the motorbike transport and entry fees to temples and museums for 40,000CFA.