Day 123 of 148 - COTONOU, BENIN

 Date: 5/07/2024   Day 123   Port Day: COTONOU, BENIN

Description: Cotonou, on the Gulf of Guinea is Benin's chief seaport and commercial center. At the beginning of the 19th century, Cotonou was a small fishing village dominated by the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey with its elite corps of Amazon warriors. In the 19th century it became a French trading enclave and colony. In the city, view the Cotonou Friendship Stadium, the Cotonou Cathedral with its distinctive striped exterior, Cotonou Central Mosque and Dantokpa Market offering goods and produce from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. A familiar feature of the city is the motorcycle-taxis known as Zémidjans. Memorable excursions include a cruise across Nokoue Lake to the traditional village of Ganvie; a royal reception with the king of Abomey or a tour of Benin's captivating capital city of Porto-Novo.

Planned Excursion: PORTO NOVO  Cancelled

5.25 Hours   Light Activity   #COO-003

Visit Benin’s capital city of Porto-Novo, home to the Goun and Yoruba people.  Discover the Musée Honmé, 19th-century King Toffa’s former royal palace.  Explore the Ethnographic Museum for insights into unique aspects of life in Benin.  Attend a captivating mask dance and view an extensive Gelede mask collection.

Afternoon Update: We decided as did some others to turn our tickets in and remain onboard today.  It was forecasted to be hot and humid again today.  This tour required riding in the bus for 3 hours to see the few stops of interest.  Another deciding factor was that no pictures or video was permitted at the main two of three stops.