Sweet home Takoradi

I just realized I haven’t really introduced the town (city?) I’m living in, and I have been here for already over a month! So, I guess better late than never, here’s little info package of my lovely hometown in Ghana.

I live in Takoradi, also called Sekondi-Takoradi, as this is city connecting twin cities, Sekondi and Takoradi. Takoradi is the capital of the Western Region of Ghana, located at the coast of Ghana. We are about 4 hours from Accra (by bus), and 1-1,5hrs from Cape Coast. Pretty nice location, right next to the sea, far enough from the busy capital, but still big enough city to not to be boring.  Close to awesome surfing spots, close to beautiful nature and empty beaches, which seem to be getting more and more beautiful after one another.

Takoradi, such as most of Ghana I guess, is funny when it comes to landscape and environment. One moment, you are in the dry and dusty area of the city, where everything seem to be mix of grayness and red sand (which is everywhere) and soon-to-collapse-looking buildings, and then next minute you reach the beach and are surrounded by baffling greenness, palm trees and the sea. Our apartment, sort of in the middle of nowhere but still quite close to everything, is surrounded by such a lush garden! Palm trees, cocoa trees, grass, colorful flowers and so on. So pretty. Then, 2 minutes in taxi and you are in area that seem to be like a different world.

We live about 10km from the city center, so not too far. I feel like nothing here is too far, everything is accessible by trotros and doesn’t really take long. Except, when there are traffic jams due to heavy rain or  unknown reason, as it sometimes (regularly) happens.

Market circle is located in the city center, sort of like the heart of the city. From market circle, one can find anything needed. Fabric. Tomatoes. Chili. Spices. Credit for phone. Cleaning stuff, clothes (new and second-hand). Bread, jewellery.. anything, you name it. Okay, except milk products. But anything else, seriously, can be found from the city center and especially from around  market circle.

What else. Well, then there’s the beach I just recently discovered, super lovely! Then, KFC. Amazing, huh? But here, KFC is fancy restaurant – not a shitty fast food chain, but relatively expensive restaurant and unknow concept. Probably in 10 years one can find also McDonalds, Starbucks and garbage like that.

Oh, airport. Takoradi has an airport, expected to be international airport one day in the future (I wonder when). With about 80€ one can get flight to Accra, which takes about 40 minutes. Quite tempting option to hot and sweaty 4 hour bus ride.

Mall, of course we have a mall here. Takoradi mall has just opened recently this year, and is still waiting for it’s full bloom. Grocery store Shoprite is there, that’s where I can find the milk products and all the other stuff that isn’t sold at the market circle. Besides Shoprite, Takoradi Mall is filled with empty business space, with only few spots occupied with random stores. One of them is selling wigs, one electronics, one seems to be perfume store, and then there’s hairdresser/nail salon. And café, which did not have coffee last time I asked.. Or they did, but instant one, so that does not count. And PIZZERIA! Like, real, proper pizzeria from which you can get actual real pizza, I had chance to try one slice the other day and was so surprised. Pizza is very expensive though, so I guess I can live without pizza for few more months...

Then there’s Coffee Corner, love that place. Decent coffee, decent sandwiches, air condition and free wifi. All I need on the days when I work on my thesis or do work stuff. 

Then, there are few hotels and bars. I have been only to Stellar Lodge and Raybow Hotel, which both have nice bars. Champs bar at Stellar Lodge was actually a party bar, with karaoke and so on, and entrance fee later on the night. Fun vibes, but super rude staff! Raybow Hotel's bar seemed to be more chilled, live-band and drinks sort of outdoor bar, liked it a lot! Another bar, where I have actually been only during daytime, is Vienna City Beach. Chill bar/restaurant right at the beach, they also have a pool which is nice addition! During the days it's pretty quiet, which makes it perfect place to work, if I don't want to stay at my office. No wifi though. During the evening, at least on weekends/holidays I guess, the bar gets more crowded and I'm sure it's fun place to have a little outing at!