Above the Rainforest

Today we had an AMAZING experience.  We went to Kokum National Park (about 40km from Cape Coast---how did you like that I used metric, huh?--really have no idea how far that is). The Park is a huge, ancient rainforest and it is beautiful.  We had an excellent guide who told us some fascinating stories about the purposes of the trees.  He was so knowledgeable, and such a good story teller that it was easy to visualize that time when husbands could only gain wives by sawing trees at a rate that indicated they had adequate strength.  Our guide also knew all the medicinal purposes of the trees and plants, and tons of other really cool facts.  It changed my whole view of trees and plants  Then.....

In 1994-1995 USAID funded a "canopy walk"--a series of 7 bridges (ropes, wood, and knots) separated by "tree houses" ABOVE the canopy.  They are 40-60 meters (again, use of metric!) above the ground so you can see the whole canopy, plus views of trees and nature never available to a human eye.  Also you can see across the rainforest.  It took our breath away.  Actually, just walking on the swinging bridges took our breath away.  Our guide reassured us they were checked daily, but after viewing many examples of Ghanain construction, and seeing actual split wood, we had our doubts.  As I looked at all the knots I thought to myself:  wow, that is a lot of work!    Anyway, you can imagine what an exquisite view it is of the forest, and how it makes you appreciate this part of our ecology.  There are hundreds of species of animals in the park.

On a more local note,  we are really enjoying Cape Coast.  We sat at the open air restaurant at our hotel last night for hours just watching the waves and feeling the breeze.  No one rushes you here and last night, that was perfect. Julie remains unmarried, although Denise is now in possession of a shell with an email from our friend Kofu, who wishes to come and live with us in the US!  Our cab driver this morning also seemed interested in Julie, but I am holding out for a man with an air conditioned car with all of the windshields intact!

Tomorrow we visit the castle, then back to Accra.  Thanks for reading our blog.