Journey to the Emerald Coast

in #hive-1902122 months ago

From the principle streets of Sun City, through the Garden City, to the Emerald Coast , dedicated health workers embarked on a 3-day journey, from Thursday, 26th September 2024, to Sunday, 29th September 2024.

Unfortunately, after setting off at 9 PM on Thursday evening, we arrived at Linda Dor at 5:46 AM on Friday, where our bus encountered a clutch issue. Repairs were necessary, and we only resumed our journey at 11:54 AM. This delay forced us to skip visits to the Tafi-Atome Monkey Sanctuary, Ote Waterfall, and the canopy walk, as these places were closed by the time we reached them. Nonetheless, we managed to explore Mt. Gemi on the first day. It was fascinating to learn about its history, particularly how the Germans once used a communication device placed inside a cross at the summit. We returned to our lodging at the GRNMA Hotel in Ho, where the staff, though few, welcomed us warmly. After enjoying a well-served dinner, we retired for the night, eager to rest for the next day's adventures at Mt. Afadja and Wli Waterfalls.

As night gradually gave way to dawn, and the cock’s crow announced the new day, we prepared ourselves, had breakfast, and set off for Mt. Afadja. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the management, who briefed us before our ascent.

Mt. Afadja is a remarkable place that every energetic soul should experience. With a total distance of 885 meters to the summit, the climb teaches profound life lessons about struggle, perseverance, and self-acceptance. One learns that failure can be a necessary part of success, just as sometimes you must crawl before you walk. There is also immense value in having people by your side to uplift you during challenging phases of life.

Personally, one key lesson I took from the journey to the top of the mountain is that success is not always about being the first; rather, the best victory is achieved when you reach the summit together. I intentionally became the last person to reach the top—not because I lacked the ability to be among the first, but because I wanted to ensure that no one was left behind. A fellow climber, who almost gave up, found in me her source of motivation, and this experience deeply reinforced my belief that true success comes when we uplift others, ensuring that we all succeed together.

On the lighter side, we passed by a signboard that read "Never Give Up," which we all found inspiring. Ironically, in the very next frame of our video, you’ll see two gentlemen giving up, while the ladies pressed on to the top!

The entire climb, including the descent, took us over three hours. We expressed our gratitude to the management and continued our journey to Wli Waterfalls.

At Wli Waterfalls, we had to cross nine bridges to reach the falls themselves, which took about 30 minutes. We learned that Wli Waterfalls has two levels, though the upper level is not as long as the ground level.

I had the chance to experience the ground level of the waterfall, which was filled with rocks and stones. If care is not taken, one might hurt themselves in the shallow areas, but the deeper, more dangerous sides had smooth, sandy terrain—perfect for those who can swim. We left the waterfalls around 6 PM, thanked the management, and returned to our lodging. Supper was ready by the time we arrived, and we enjoyed a delicious meal before calling it a night.

On Sunday morning, after breakfast, we packed our lunches and headed to the last stop on our trip: Aqua Safari Resort in Agorkpo Street, Big Ada.

On the way, we were lucky to spot a tourist site where monkeys were trooping beside the road, so we took the opportunity to feed them. We arrived at Aqua Safari Resort around 3 PM, made the necessary arrangements, and soon found ourselves on a boat cruise. We had the chance to feel the skin of a crocodile and a python firsthand. We also enjoyed outdoor games like volleyball, table tennis, and lawn tennis.

We left the resort around 6 PM, and after a long journey, we arrived in Sunyani at 6:03 AM.

I quickly went home and prepared for work.

Overall, it was an incredible experience that broadened my understanding of nature and its wonders.

All pictures were taken by myself.