Visit Togo In West Africa And See The World's Hidden Wonders for Yourself

BY FAITH KATUNGA

While the world may overlook Togo, those who venture here are rewarded with the warmth of Togolese hospitality, the diversity of landscapes, and the richness of its culture. Situated in West Africa, this pint-sized country packs a punch, offering travelers experiences that defy its modest size. Pack your curiosity, leave behind preconceptions, and step into Togo – a journey that promises to redefine how you perceive West Africa.

Explore Lomé, Togo’s Largest City

First things first, let’s talk about the capital, Lomé. Think again if you expect a bustling metropolis with skyscrapers and traffic jams. Lomé has laid-back vibes and vibrant street markets. The Grand Marché, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from colorful fabrics to curious talismans, will satisfy shopaholics and culture enthusiasts equally. You haven’t truly experienced Lomé until you’ve tried street food from a vendor who swears by their secret spice.

Once you’ve had your fill of city life, it’s time to venture into Togo’s natural wonders. The Togolese landscape, though small, is as diverse as it gets. Head north, and you’ll find yourself amid the rolling hills and terracotta-hued landscapes of Koutammakou.

 
Head To Koutammakou, The Land Of The Batammariba

Koutammakou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the Batammariba people and their iconic mud tower houses. It’s an open-air museum and a cultural sanctuary. The landscape, dominated by terracotta-hued hills and lush greenery, serves as the canvas upon which the Batammariba have painted their rich heritage.

The mud tower houses, known locally as “Takienta,” with conical roofs and intricate patterns, are living symbols of Batammariba’s identity. The Batammariba people, also known as the Tammari, have inhabited this region for centuries. Their distinctive architectural style reflects both practicality and spirituality.

Unwind Along Togo’s Coastline

For the beach bums among us, Togo’s coastline offers a sun-soaked paradise that will make your trip worthwhile. The beaches are pristine, the water is crystal clear, and you won’t find yourself elbow-to-elbow with other visitors fighting for a spot in the sand.

To achieve a state of deep relaxation, all you need is a coconut, a hammock, and the soothing sound of the waves. All you have to do is take a dip in the water or place another order for fresh seafood from the seaside shack.

Witness The Beauty Of The Fazao-Malfakassa National Park

Togo’s crown jewel is the Fazao-Malfakassa National Park. This national park is a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The park is home to various species, including elephants, buffalo, and many primates. Strap on your hiking boots and prepare for a trek through one of West Africa’s best-kept secrets.

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They’ve lost 14 years as they’ve fought to be together in Canada — anguish compounded by the deaths of two infant sons in West Africa

 THE TORONTO STAR

They’ve lost 14 years as they’ve fought to be together in Canada — anguish compounded by the deaths of two infant sons in West Africa.....

Togolese-Canadian Bernadin Kossi Ben Djikounou has been trying to reunite with his wife, but they’ve been stymied by a sluggish immigration bureaucracy that a judge found misled them.

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AFCON: Ivory Coast, Togo In Quarters; Tunisia, Algeria Head Home (Photo News)

Togo booked its spot to the quarter finals for the first time in the Nations Cup on a 1-1 draw with Tunisia at the Mbombela Sports Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa Tuesday, January 30, 2013. Ivory Coast in encounter with Algeria at the Royal Bokafeng Palace Field, Rusenburg, South Africa, played a 2-2 draw with Algeria in a match  both teams didn't have to show up for Ivory Coast to qualify while Algeria heads home.

Leading the charge: Didier Drogba, the Ivory Coast captain, was back to his best as he inspired a comeback from two down against Algeria. Mail/Getty

Algerian's Sofiane Feghouli (left) and teammates celebrate after opening the scoring in the 64 minute. Image: AP

Fanatic: Ivorian supporters shows where their loyalties lie during the Ivory Coast-Algeria match at the Royal Bokafeng Palace Field Wednesday, January 30, 2013. Image: AP

Dejected Tunisian player Zaihair Dhaouadi looks on as Floyd Ayite of Togo's celebration underway after a tie that sends Togo to the quqrter finals. Image: AP; courtesy of Daily Mail.

 Togo Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates with his Sparrow hawks teammates after a  1-1 draw with Tunisia at the Mbombela Sports Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa Wednesday, January 30, 2013. Image: AP; courtesy of Daily Mail

With Togo's goalkeeper Kossi Agassa diving the wrong way, Tunisia's Khaled Moulhi saw his penalty cannon back off the post. Image: AP

Tunisia's Khaled Moelhi is distraught as goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha tries to comfort him. Moulhi missed a penalty with 12 minutes left that would have taken them through. Image: AP; courtesy of Daily Mail.

Ivory Coast players celebrate a goal during match with Ethiopia at the Royal Bokafeng Palace Field in Rustenburg, South Africa on January 26, 2013. Image: AFP

Lagos Cafe's Arrogance and Horrible Services is a Culinary Disaster

The problem with what happened to me this past Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2009, was that, I had woken up and had developed an appetite to eat some home kind of made food; the ofe olugbo, bitter leaf soup, coupled with the orishirishi, the ingredients and varieties of meats and dried fish that comes along with it.

Actually, there was no pub-crawling the previous night, quite unusual, which normally should have justified my quest to fill up my stomach from partying hard. And, precisely, not that I even went to see a show ending up hanging out where I'm not suppose to have been getting up the next day with some hangovers, headaches and things like that.

I was clean and sober. It's just that I did not feel like going to the popular Tak's Coffee House around my neck of the woods for lunch. I wanted bitter leaf soup and garri to do justice to my stomach. And here I am in my journey. And what a way to learn a lesson.

I had made up my mind to go to different Nigerian or African restaurants in the LA area, a place I am not a regular. Feeling like swallowing garri with a paste of deliciously prepared bitter leaf soup, I landed at Lagos Cafe run by Ronke Bernadette, located on the 1400 block of Crenshaw Boulevard in Gardena, California. It took me about half an hour to get there, driving through the Crenshaw thoroughfare of "Black Township", and combing on the cultural festivities of Leimert Park where a series of African American women dance and beat the drums on Sundays as if it is a spiritual revival. Crenshaw Blvd., from my destination to Gardena stretches through four different suburbs -- "The Jungle" around the Mid City area, Inglewood, Hawthorne and Gardena.

I was hungry and had anticipated a good meal, especially when breezing into a place I'm not a regular. But restaurants of the African ilk in the Los Angeles area are not just regular cuisines some few dollar can get you something to chew on. These are restaurants you have to spend at least 15 bucks for a regular meal, and 15 bucks for a regular meal in these days of belt-tightening is not a chicken change.

Anyways, here I go. I walked in to a place that looked totally deserted. The owner, Ronke and her friend who had told me she came from Togoland sat on one corner running their mouth -- without paying attention that a customer had arrived. I made my request: bitter leaf soup with mixed meat, dried fish and garri. I sat down and waited until only God knows when a waiter, apparently my home boy, popped up and told me my "food will soon be ready."

As it happened, my friend, Ardis Hamilton, whom I have known for many years dating back to the "read my lips" era called me, and I told him exactly where I was and how I got there. Immediately, he picked up interest to join me, in order to have a feel of a well-prepared African dish. In about 20-minutes, he was in. He was turned off right away because of the owner and her Togolese friend's attitude, loquaciously erring in French. Yes, they spoke French and did not care if a customer had arrived.

Meanwhile, I had waited long enough and my stomach was burning for some reason. I requested for some water to drink. Lagos Cafe had no water, absolutely no water for its customers which had me wonder why this garrulous woman and her friend are in business, in the first place. They drove down the street to buy some water after my request. In a restaurant and no water. Imagine!

At Veronica's Kitchen which sits on Manchester in Inglewood, the service is always great, the environment conducive and the waiters and waitresses well-behaved which is why the owner, Veronica Ogbeide, beats them all, hands down, and presumably from learning how to run a restaurant, effectively and efficiently.

However, they got my water while I waited for the so-called 'finest food' to arrive. Ardis, too, was looking forward to something special. To my friend's surprise, these talky women and the attendant who is also my home boy, changed their tone of language, all of a sudden, and just like that. Ngbati-ngbati, the normal Yoruba noise making kind of stuff, typical of a gabby Oshodi market women, became a trend, and it baffled my friend because they all knew he's a Yank as in "no speak English" a Hispanic would pretend to tell you.

My food finally came and I wanted my friend, Ardis, to taste the soup before ordering his own on my tab. Ardis has not recovered. His ass has been burning from the overseasoned habanero pepper and some other chili stuff that was used in cooking the soup.

In my own case, I'm the kind of guy who would eat up everything served and face the consequences later. Money is hard, these days, you know, but how could I have gotten myself into a situation where I now live in my restroom until the whole mess is flushed out from my system?

Not only that the service at Lagos Cafe was horrible, it was also ridiculously expensive. 20-something bucks and no leftover to take home? Come on, now, be real! At Veronica and 15-plus something bucks, you will have a whole lot of leftovers to take home, and you will be glad you did.

Lagos Cafe, Ronke, the talkative Togolese lady and my home boy, quote me, I will never be back because it really sucks, (excuse my language for I am pissed), and from my observation, you will be the last to earn a Michelin star.

Kikelomo Togbe-Olory To Represent Benin

Ain't she already a model with that kinda look? You bet!

I had said it was going to be explosive that November 1st night at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia; and quite frankly, the best is yet to come especially when you have the 1984 Alaska Beauty Queen Maryline Blackburn and movie producer Marlon D'Wayne aka Marlon Campbell co-hosting Miss Africa USA 2008.

For 21-year-old Kikelomo Togbe-Olory who just checked in, it's all for grabs and she is determined to do her best in serving the African Continent by way of humanitarian and worthy causes to make the entire continent a better place.

Standing at five-feet eight inches and weighing 105 Ibs, her stats tells a whole lot about her physique and how ready she is for decision day. Kikelomo is currently studying Architecture at the University of Maryland, College Park. Kikelomo plans to move back to Benin when through with academics to start up an architectural firm that would build homes to help the less fortunate in her native land. Good luck!

Go Africa Go!