Abidjan, says Sister Rosanna, was the Paris of West Africa before the war. Apparently the city took a beating during the 2011 crisis with 2 presidents running the country at the same time, each with their headquarters in different neighbourhoods within Abidjan. Still, it remains the economic engine of the country, strapped between lagoons and waterways. The thing is that it is now quite overcrowded with all the refugees from the war years, and also from the Liberia conflict who fled here. The conflicts are finished now, but the people stayed. Anyways, here is a picture of Abidjan:
The Plateau neighbourhood in Abidjan
We hit the road Monday morning Duékoué-bound. At km. 230 we arrived to Yamoussoukro, the theoretical capital of the country. Yamoussoukro was made the capital apparently because the president that followed independence, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, was born here. The city is quite small but we caught three main sights: The hotel where the African leaders were meeting that same day, the presidential palace and the cathedral.
Now, the presidential palace has a lake on its southern side where crocodiles live. It is said that anybody who was in opposition of the president was tossed to the crocodiles.
Yamoussoukro Palais Presidentiel
We made a pit stop at the Cathedral to stretch our legs, have a bite to eat and well, visit it, since it is quite spectacular. The Guiness Records book regards it as the largest Christian building in the world after the Vatican itself. Apparently all the countries in Africa pitched in to build a bit of it. It is really beautiful and huge.
The remaining 370 kms Sister Rosanna drove courageously through the quite un-maintained road that resembled the moon surface. We stopped once to buy pinneaples and grapefruits from local women at the side of the road. Then at km 8 to arrive, we saw the mountain that gives Duékoué its name: it means elephant back
Do you think it looks like an elephant back? I think so. I will try to get a better picture of it now that I am in town.
Frances Limon: West Africa 
Do you have any pictures of the cathedral from the outside? I had heard it’s a replica of St. Peter’s, but it bears little resemblance from the interior photos.
I’ve been in this area and have visited the Basilica in Yamoussoukro, it is wonderful and amazing, I was really impressed….even if I am a bit surprise and sad about all those money spend when we see all those poor people around.
Wow, just with this entry I already learned so much! I will now go on an internet quest to learn more about the Cathedral and the country’s history 🙂 Gracias, Mony!
Thanks for sharing your adventures Monica! I will share them with Dominic and Anna – and we will enjoy learning with you 🙂