Pointe Denis, Gabon.....

Point Denis is the best known seaside resort in Gabon. It lies on a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gabon Estuary, across which boats sail to Libreville. It also lies near the Pongara National Park. I spent the day here with some new French friends.... Its a beautiful place, but due to global warming, the sea is starting to destroy a lot of homes built here.....  We had a wild ride out with a boat operated by "cowboys"..... quite hilarious actually, but was glad to have my feet on terra firma....

Well we did the the 12 hour trip from the capital Libreville, to the Ranch yesterday and I can't say its getting any easier, phew its long and tiring.... but it's also absolutely incredibly beautiful! I would say that out of the 12 hours, 6 of those hours are as if we are driving through an amazing botanical garden! Gods creativity is certainly magnified in Gabon! The close up's are obviously taken at "pit stops" and the rest are through the window as we speed by......

Such creative nests..........

The "Gabonese" Ants are masters of creativity in the construction of their nests.......

and this is the sad side of living in a vast African Savannah.....

Poachers have been in this area and left the head to go rotten, obviously to come back and get the skull........ I see  a lot of men walking around with shotguns over their shoulders, its just life in Gabon!  They are all hunters here.....

It's been a week of finding "different" plants..................

We took another "exploratory drive" today being Sunday........ We have so much to discover on 100 000 hectares of "bush" that is so alien to us....... Found another scrubby looking bush, I won't call it a tree, as doesn't seem to get too tall, covered in these fruits which just want to make you bite into them.  The birds had already been having a feast, so am sure its safe to munch on, but I had better wait for the ok!  The fruit reminds me so much of the "custard apple" Cherimoya Fruit  or the "ox heart"  Annon reticulate which we know..... What do you think......

Intoxicating Mango............

Wish we could share mango's with you all.... we have baskets of them!  The intoxicating smell and tantalising taste sensation, doesn't just draw the human's but the monkeys and elephants too, therefore we have to pick them green........wherever you go on this Ranch, even in places people don't dare tread, there are mango trees, the wonderful Gabon Forest Elephant spreads them everywhere.... and I'm so thankful!

Amazing what one finds whilst walking.......

So many things are missed whilst rushing past in a vehicle........
I walk this route daily and due to a shower of rain yesterday, look what I found.
The closest plant nursery is in Libreville, a 12 hour drive away, so guess what I dug up today to fill  empty spaces....... Anyone know what they are?