Mali

Mali was wonderful - we headed for Bamako, saw Alpha Blondy play in the National Football Stadium, wandered around, and then drove up to Mopti. From there we got a boat down the Niger river to the amazing Mosque at Djenne and then headed North West to Dogon country. Here we trekked for 4 days along the Dogon escarpment staying on the roof of the chief's hut in each village. The Dogon people have lived on the edge of the Sahara since they fled the Muslims in the 9th century and are absolutely amazing. In the far North they're all Animist, and as you head South they become more Christian and Muslim. There are still human sacrifices in some of the villages (we avoided one, walking with some very scared villagers) and their lifestyle is fascinating, managing to exist in a small patch of land on top, in, and below the cliffs of the escarpment. They keep crocodiles, build amazing huts and still wear traditional costume when they can. The Mali government just leave them alone. Brilliant!!