Bong Mines: Hidden Paradise in the Middle of Liberia
It was another Saturday and our initial goal was to set out and find this illusive geocache that is apparently located somewhere in a mine shaft deep in the Bong Mines. As we made the two hour journey from Monrovia we gave praise to the hot season for drying up the mud along Bong Mines Road, a section of dirt road that comprises over an hour of our one-way trip to the bountiful land of iron ore. 
We also discussed our method of getting passed the security guards at the gates to the mining facility. One thing that you learn while in Liberia is that the best thing to do when you are going somewhere that you don’t belong is to pretend that you actually DO belong there. It seemed to work this time as the guard just opened the gate without us having to tell him anything. At last, we were free within the Bong Mine facilities.
Endless expanse of mountainous landscape serving as a playground for four young kids named Marcel, John Mark, Suzi, and yours truly. We drove past the place where I knew the geocache is supposed to be located and continued on down a long dirt road where we came upon open pit after open pit which have now turned into giant lakes that house who knows what kind of creatures. As we peered across this giant open pit mining lake we saw a lovely plateau across the lake that looked perfect for future camping outings.
Driving along the side of the lake, we saw potential passage to this plateau and we continued along the dirt road until we drove right upon this desired destination. Standing on top of this plateau, looking down 30ft or so to the dark crystal blue water, getting scorched by the heat, there was only one option that we saw available to us at this time and that was to jump off this 30ft into the inviting water below. One by one, we launched ourselves off this cliff into the water below. Getting back up the cliff was the hardest part of all. There were times where I’d be up 8-10ft or so and then the rock I was using as a handhold would bust off and I would have to jump backwards back into the water. I spent so much energy on the climbing up the cliff that, combining that with the beating heat of the sun, once was enough for me. We decided that we are DEFINITELY going to be doing some camping there in the near future. Why didn’t we find out about this oasis earlier?! Enjoy the views!
We also discussed our method of getting passed the security guards at the gates to the mining facility. One thing that you learn while in Liberia is that the best thing to do when you are going somewhere that you don’t belong is to pretend that you actually DO belong there. It seemed to work this time as the guard just opened the gate without us having to tell him anything. At last, we were free within the Bong Mine facilities. Endless expanse of mountainous landscape serving as a playground for four young kids named Marcel, John Mark, Suzi, and yours truly. We drove past the place where I knew the geocache is supposed to be located and continued on down a long dirt road where we came upon open pit after open pit which have now turned into giant lakes that house who knows what kind of creatures. As we peered across this giant open pit mining lake we saw a lovely plateau across the lake that looked perfect for future camping outings.
Driving along the side of the lake, we saw potential passage to this plateau and we continued along the dirt road until we drove right upon this desired destination. Standing on top of this plateau, looking down 30ft or so to the dark crystal blue water, getting scorched by the heat, there was only one option that we saw available to us at this time and that was to jump off this 30ft into the inviting water below. One by one, we launched ourselves off this cliff into the water below. Getting back up the cliff was the hardest part of all. There were times where I’d be up 8-10ft or so and then the rock I was using as a handhold would bust off and I would have to jump backwards back into the water. I spent so much energy on the climbing up the cliff that, combining that with the beating heat of the sun, once was enough for me. We decided that we are DEFINITELY going to be doing some camping there in the near future. Why didn’t we find out about this oasis earlier?! Enjoy the views!
posted by Kevin Aja Fryatt @ 8:29 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home