Of Forest & Sea Meetings

For July 12

Spectacular forest greenery; thick, lush, beautiful vegetation, and then when you turn around, a splendid view of the ocean in light aqua; expansive marine against a turquoise clear sky! I looked around the property itself; manicured lawns, precision built wooden cabins with decks complimenting the environment. And it was all illuminated with a bright sun, whose rays shone on a glorious day. We had arrived here the night before. Joshua, Beatrice and Dora, staff at the guest house helped take our bags to our rooms. Even from up the hill, where mine was, I could hear the buzz of the waves of the ocean.

There’s nothing worse than not knowing a location and making your way there at night. Setting off on the 5-odd hour trip around 3pm from Accra, we got to the outskirts of Axim just as the sun made its last wink. Paul, the owner of Lou Moon Lodge, the coastal facility we were going to spend the weekend, had mention on the phone that the last stretch of road, which was un-tarred, had developed some really bad ditches, owing to the recent rains. That should have said ‘nasty craters’!

The sound of crickets rose with every single second, making it seem later then the 9pm or so we went off to bed, but not before dinner had been served. Grilled or poached fish; snapper, cassava or pampana, accompanied with fried yam chips, vegetables, and fried plantain. It was a luscious affair for a first night, and it set the tone for the weekend. We were all so very impressed with Chef Raoul’s cooking, both ‘M’ and Uncle Fii, as well as myself, Andy, Marcia, Vinny and Jas! This morning, the sight of the scenes before me here, is just… enchanting!

The lodge itself, built in the most eco-friendly manner, lends itself to much admiration. Owner, Paul, himself a designer – furniture and such – did a fantastic job incorporating everything, making the place look and feel so integrated.

Each of the bathrooms is unique, with either an etched slab of wood, or concrete for a sink! The rooms are simple, with clean, crisp white sheets and cool with air-conditioning facilities! There is a great big generator that supplies power at varying times.

There are no tv sets, no radio, internet, newspapers or magazines. Only stunning views and tranquility! As Axim records the highest rainfall in Ghana, it rains often here as it did our first morning during breakfast which started, as always, with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and fresh cut mango and watermelons! Soon after, the sun emerged to give us a superb day!

Large glass windows overlook the bay, with the ocean rolling in waves that are so mild it creates a pool, ideal for leisurely swimming! There’s a peninsula with two luxurious bungalows giving extraordinary aquatic views! The sand at the beach here is bronze, like ground stone, a good exfoliate and I did much walking in it. Everywhere you turn here, something exciting grabs your attention, from nature, as well as from Paul’s clever use of building materials and design.

This place just resonates with my soul!

It was Uncle Fii’s birthday on Sunday, and we had a special lunch ‘event’ set up for us. Paul and his amazing team, in what seemed like an effortless try; spread our meal out on the coast, on the sandy shore under wide brim umbrellas a few meters away from the tide. It was magical! We had a whole snapper grilled in a bed of prawns, with lobsters and an avocado salad, accompanied with baked potatoes and vegetables, fried yams and kelewele! It was hearty, with Champagne to wash it all down, and for dessert, a mango tart.

It was all so mellow, and like I said, life here rolls in slow motion! In the evening, we sat under the shade of the trees to watch the sun go down. We were leaving back to Accra the following day, and we were missing the whole experience even before we had left it. I know I was! Same time the day after, driving down the Kasoa road into the capital, this taxi cab swerved, and came in front of us in the fast lane, galloped on in slow motion, coughing up billows of fumes at us! Sure, we were back in Accra alright!