Liberia sits on prime land, no wonder American recaptives fought wars with natives, first to claim Providence Island, then the conquest for the hinterland, which resulted to Buchanan, Harbel, Robertsport and Monrovia - the world's Wettest Capital, all being termed Congotowns. They remain the foci of civilization in Liberia till date. Although, the recent past of this former American colony -
still seen by its citizens as the 51st unofficial state of the USA - is
marred by a gruesome array of civil wars, Liberia has recently began on
the path to development, including producing 2 of 2011's 3-joint Nobel
Peace Prize winners, and having an open door policy to investors, buoyed
by the rich abundance of natural resources.
Inspite of television images and news reports portraying Liberia as a country ravaged by starvation and the residual effects of a 14-year
civil war, much of the roof of Liberia is fertile and well watered, with
awe-inspiring scenery dominated by highlands and savannah grasslands.
Liberia has tourist attractions such as shallow lagoons, islands, lakes,
mangrove swamps, capes, rivers, colonial-styled wide porch homes and
350 miles white sandy beaches. Liberia’s unique history as the first
black African republic and a haven for freed black American slaves in
the 19th century can be great tourist attractions. In addition, palace
of culture and ethnic Liberian kingdoms such as Bassa Kingdom, Belle
Kingdom, Gola Kingdom, Klao (Kru) Kingdom, Grebo Kingdom, Krahn (Wee)
Kingdom, Mende Kingdom, Sapo Kingdom, Kpelle Kingdom, Kissi Kingdom,
Pleebo Kingdom, Gbii Kingdom, Via Kingdom, Dei Kingdom, Gio (Dan)
Kingdom, Loma Kingdom, Mandingo Kingdom, and the Maih (Mano) Kingdom can
be valuable tourist attractions once developed to host annual cultural
history tours, rituals displays, and beauty contests, farming
celebration, Women's Day just to name a few activities.
Justle for taxi on Broad Street during rush hour, savor local dishes at Evelyn's, Moulin Rouge or Mamb Point Hotel. Maybe an evening out at the Palm Springs Casino, or a honeymoon weekend at RLJ Kendeja Resort would just make it, but nothing is as good as being caught in the rains in Monrovia, the world's wettest capital.
Better still, take a weekend trip to Robertsport, and enjoy some surfing on some of the world's best left-shoulder waves, a site for the world famous movie, Sliding Liberia. Be it at Fisherman's Point, Inner Cotton Trees, Outer Cotton Tress or Cassava Beach/Shipwreck, enjoy the waves, or hike through one of the numerous forest trails from the beach to the hinterland, with guides who would wow you with the distinct Creole accent of Liberians.
A culinary experience is most definitely going to be one of the experiences you never forget, when served with an array of soups and gravys. Dance the weekend away, at any of the numerous night clubs which remain thronged even on weekdays in Monrovia.
Tiny roadside restaurants are called "Cook Shops" and feature Jollof Rice along with an assortment of stews. As in much of Africa, cooking is done outdoors on the ubiquitous three-stone hearth. Many of these, such as Roseline's, a favorite of Liberian government officials, offer excellent fare. You'll find dishes like cabbage cooked with bacon and pigs' feet, sweet-potato leaves with fish, palm nuts with shrimp in fish or chicken stock, and dried Norwegian fish. Check Rice, a delightful combination of rice and platto leaves or okra, is a popular dish. Goat Soup is the national soup and is served at every important state function.
Liberians love sweet desserts and American pastries such as sweet-potato pie, coconut pie, and pumpkin pie. Peanuts are used in cookies and desserts of all kinds. Liberian rice bread made with mashed bananas is a great delicacy. Ginger beer and palm wine are the preferred beverages. Liberian coffee is excellent.
Liberia boasts of a number of holidays, including Independence Day - July 26th, Flag Day - August 24th and William Tubman's Birthday - November 29th which the citizenry look forward to with vigor, considering the manner in which they throng to the beaches in wild celebration. Today, private beaches are springing up along the coast on the way to the Robertsfield International Airport. Famous beaches include Thinker's Village, Barne's and Mamba Point.
Packaged trips are available on request, tailored based on your preferences, including the long trip to Sapo National Park, known to be home to some of the world's unspoilt rain forests.
Tiny roadside restaurants are called "Cook Shops" and feature Jollof Rice along with an assortment of stews. As in much of Africa, cooking is done outdoors on the ubiquitous three-stone hearth. Many of these, such as Roseline's, a favorite of Liberian government officials, offer excellent fare. You'll find dishes like cabbage cooked with bacon and pigs' feet, sweet-potato leaves with fish, palm nuts with shrimp in fish or chicken stock, and dried Norwegian fish. Check Rice, a delightful combination of rice and platto leaves or okra, is a popular dish. Goat Soup is the national soup and is served at every important state function.
Liberians love sweet desserts and American pastries such as sweet-potato pie, coconut pie, and pumpkin pie. Peanuts are used in cookies and desserts of all kinds. Liberian rice bread made with mashed bananas is a great delicacy. Ginger beer and palm wine are the preferred beverages. Liberian coffee is excellent.
Liberia boasts of a number of holidays, including Independence Day - July 26th, Flag Day - August 24th and William Tubman's Birthday - November 29th which the citizenry look forward to with vigor, considering the manner in which they throng to the beaches in wild celebration. Today, private beaches are springing up along the coast on the way to the Robertsfield International Airport. Famous beaches include Thinker's Village, Barne's and Mamba Point.Packaged trips are available on request, tailored based on your preferences, including the long trip to Sapo National Park, known to be home to some of the world's unspoilt rain forests.
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