Another new port for us....Very nice first impression of the city
For the second time in three years, the African city of Luanda has been declared the most expensive city in the world. Great look... but don't touch. actually there is nothing to buy.
Luanda is the capital of Africa's second largest oil producer, Angola (Nigeria beats it), a rising political and economic powerhouse.
Yet the country also suffered a destructive and violent 27-year civil war, ending only in 2002, which crippled its infrastructure and decimated its ability to produce its own food.
As a consequence, almost everything in Luanda has to be imported.
Heavy import duties, along with high taxes and monopolized supply chains linked to the powerful political elite further drive up the price of goods and services to astronomical levels.
Then there's institutional corruption, which creates high prices through price fixing and price collusion.
Luanda itself was a beautifully situated city with a natural harbour and a 3 km long promenade. Although there was the usual shanty town on the outskirts. The city had missed most of the fighting during the civil war although some of the other places we passed through weren't so lucky.
They say its a dangerous place. On the port shuttle
Walking along the harbour
Talking to the locals. On a journey today
My first encounter with a Giraffe
The Smell was unbearable
Bob striking a poise
on our way up the stairs to the fort, this little guy was walking up as well
On the top of the Fortaleza de Sao Miguel
Our Selfie
a panoramic from the fort. Yes that's me.
That tall structure behind me is a Mausoleum dedicated to Augustinho Neto
the First President of Angola who helped in Angola's struggle for Independence
more of the shanty town. Priorities Satelite dish on the roofs...
This is a urinal go figure right in the middle of the city. Not much color in town did happen to find a couple of flowers
Well Bob and I walked 7 miles today and we ended back up at the ship at 2:30. Took me over an hour to post these pictures. We never had lunch so doing Tea time.
Next 2 days are Sea days. In this heat we love the sea days, trying to relax and wind down.
Thanks for coming with us.....
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