The Vuvuzela Diaries » Congo http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com 6 South Africans answer the call of the Vuvuzela Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:48:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Congo (Brazzaville) at a glance… http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com/2010/05/congo-at-a-glance/ http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com/2010/05/congo-at-a-glance/#comments Sun, 30 May 2010 13:50:43 +0000 mikaela http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com/?p=960 Noted for its lowland gorillas and wild chimpanzees (the country contains over 80% of the world’s population), Congo is characterised by dense rainforest and impenetrable jungle juxtaposed against a narrow 169km coastal strip that plays host to a nascent oil industry. Outside the French-flavoured capital of Brazzaville, attractions include the surf beaches of Pointe-Noire, the white-water Congo River rapids and – in 13, 600-sq-km Odzala National Park – one of the Africa’s largest and least known tropical ecosystems.

Wildlife aside, Congo remains a largely unknown quantity to most outsiders, with little tourist infrastructure and a recent six-year civil conflict scaring off all but the most intrepid travellers. But with a pathway to peace in progress and old feuds and disagreements temporarily – or permanently – forgotten, change flickers tantalisingly on the horizon.

Congo’s greatest asset is the Congolese. Musicians, cooks, philosophers and table-football enthusiasts, the people of this ex-French colony are undoubtedly one of its most engaging national exports. Ignoring adversity and ever curious of visitors, this is a nation of people eager for a good laugh. Be open and respectful and you could be invited to share the joke.

With thanks to Lonely Planet

]]> http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com/2010/05/congo-at-a-glance/feed/ 0 Heading south.. http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com/2009/12/test-post/ http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com/2009/12/test-post/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:55:27 +0000 neil http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com/?p=95 ]]> We’re hoping to drive from London to South Africa in time to catch a few football matches.

En route we are planning to distribute soccer balls on behalf of the 2010 Campaign.

Good times!

]]> http://www.thevuvuzeladiaries.com/2009/12/test-post/feed/ 0