Autor: Carsten Nolte

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Cute Kids from West Africa (Mai 2026)

Hello all!

In many parts of West Africa, one thing immediately catches your attention: there are children everywhere.
They appear in small groups along dusty roads, in villages, at markets, near wells, or simply sitting under a tree watching the world go by. What surprised us most was how independent many of them seem to be from a very young age. Tiny kids walk long distances alone, carry things on their heads, look after younger siblings, or confidently move through busy village life without constant supervision.

At the same time, there is an incredible energy around them. The children are curious, loud, playful, and often full of laughter. Many wave enthusiastically when our truck rolls through a village, others run alongside for a few meters, smiling and shouting greetings. Even in places with very simple living conditions, there is often a strong sense of freedom and community among the kids.

For us as travelers, these encounters became one of the most memorable parts of the journey. The children of West Africa bring life and movement to every place, and their natural confidence, openness, and joy leave a lasting impression long after the road continues.

Best wishes from
Heike & Carsten

Here you find some pictures of ‚Cute Kids of West Africa‘

To see full-size pictures and comments please
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on the thumbnails!

@ Overlanders and Wordtravellers:

 

At my 'Overlander Base' you find the sources (great weblinks) that I actually use on the road — try them yourself.

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Senegal: Cap Skirring – Festival at Diembéreng (April 2026)

Good morning! 

At the festival in Diembéreng near Cap Skirring, the focus is not on spectacle but on living culture. Groups from different villages gather to perform traditional dances that reflect identity, history, and social structure.
The rhythms are driven by drums and simple instruments, while dancers move in precise, often symbolic patterns. Costumes and masks vary depending on the dance, sometimes representing spirits, animals, or ancestral roles.
The audience is not separated from the performers; people join, react, and become part of the atmosphere.
For travelers, it is a rare opportunity to experience culture not as a show, but as something that is still actively lived and shared.

Enjoy the YouTube video!
(sorry, the quallity of the film is only medium, durng the festival I had to ’shoot from the hip‘)

Best wishes from
Heike & Carsten

(–> Text übersetzen in Deutsch)

@ Overlanders and Wordtravellers:

 

At my 'Overlander Base' you find the sources (great weblinks) that I actually use on the road — try them yourself.

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Guinea-Bissau: Traditional ‚Bijagós ritual dance‘ (March 2026)

Good morning! 

Far away from paved roads and predictable itineraries, moments like this are why we travel. In a small village on Bubaque, we were invited to witness a traditional dance that feels deeply rooted in history and community.
There is no stage, no performance for tourists . just rhythm, movement, and connection. The energy is raw, the atmosphere intense, and for a moment, you are not just watching but part of it.
This video captures a glimpse of that experience . simple, authentic, and unforgettable.

Enjoy the YouTube video!
(sorry, the quallity of the film is only medium, durng the festival I had to ’shoot from the hip‘)

Best wishes from
Heike & Carsten

(–> Text übersetzen in Deutsch)

@ Overlanders and Wordtravellers:

 

At my 'Overlander Base' you find the sources (great weblinks) that I actually use on the road — try them yourself.

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Wischnewski in Guinea-Bissau (March 2026)

Hello all!

Guinea-Bissau is one of the last truly off-the-radar destinations in West Africa, where travel still feels raw, unpredictable, and deeply authentic. Over three weeks on the road, you move through a country where red dirt tracks replace highways and every kilometer demands patience, flexibility, and curiosity. Encounters are not staged for tourists but happen naturally, often turning into the most memorable moments of the journey. From the faded colonial atmosphere of Bolama to the remote island world of the Bijagós Archipelago, the contrasts are striking and constantly surprising.

…before I continue with the blogpost 😉 …
@ all Overlander: please check the brand-new „Overlander-Base„! Your Central Hub for Trusted Overlanding Sources (Web-Links)

We enter Guinea-Bissau the hard way, on roads that demand respect from the very first kilometer: For just 140 kilometers, we need 8.5 hours, crawling through endless potholes that turn driving into constant concentration. It was exhausting, but also a clear signal of what travel in this country really means: slow, raw, and uncompromising.

At the same time, the streets are full of life, as people celebrate the end of Ramadan in colorful clothes and a surprisingly relaxed, open version of Islam. Along the coast, fish dominates the menu everywhere; Heike enjoys every meal, while I remain more of a spectator (I don’t like fish at all…).

We are now traveling with a new, smaller group, together with ‚Carsten and Marlis‘ from Hamburg. Altogether we will travel together in a ‚travel family‘ for circa 3 months and we had a great time, forming an easy team.

In Bissau, the pace slows down even further, not by choice but by necessity. There is not much to do, apart from wandering through lively local markets and organizing the basics like shopping and obtaining money (my credit card got stuck what caused some issues for getting it back…). But still, Bissau is mainly a staging point for what we really came for: the Bijagós Archipelago.

Early in the morning, we leave the mainland behind and (very little) board a speedboat into a completely different world. On the way, we stop in ‚Bolama‘, the former capital, where colonial buildings slowly decay under the tropical climate. The place feels forgotten, yet strangely atmospheric, with history visible in every wall and wonderful Kapok Trees everywhere.

A few hours later, we arrive on Bubaque, and the transition is immediate: from stress to calm. Our lodge offers something rare on this journey, a moment of comfort with a pool, music, and a relaxed rhythm of the day. Dogs and small goats move freely around the property, while the view opens up to islands, mangroves, and scattered baobabs. We spend time walking through nearby villages, experiencing everyday life that feels unfiltered and real.

One evening, a local dance performance brings together music, movement, and community in a way that feels both simple and deeply authentic. That was a fantastic show, and it did not feel ‚touristic‘ since the whole village population attended the show (they liked it also very much).

Another great spot in Guinea-Bissau was „Varela Beach“ at the cost side. I know that it is hard to believe for you, but sometimes we need a rest from travelling (a vacation within the vacation)… you get so much input on the road that it requires a break here-and-there.

Greetings from
Heike & Carsten

(–> Text übersetzen in Deutsch)

Here you find some pictures from Guinea-Bissau

To see full-size pictures and comments please
KLICK!
on the thumbnails!

Do not miss it!

@ all Overlander: please check the brand-new
„Overlander-Base„!
Your Central Hub for Trusted Overlanding Sources (Web-Links)