Namun, bila kita berada di Dakar, kesan rally itu begitu sirna. Ibu kota dari bekas negara jajahan Perancis itu memang dipenuhi mobil-mobil buatan Perancis seperti Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, atau merek yang lain.
Namun, kesan di jalanan, terutama di sekitar Hotel Pullman Teranga, sebuah hotel yang menghadap ke samudra Pasific, menguji jiwa kita. Betapa tidak? Begitu kita keluar dari hotel, para pemuda berkulit kelam mengejar kita menjajakan pulsa atau 'bantuan lain' berupa informasi tempat penjualan barang-barang antik ....
Memang .... jalanan tidak semacet di Jakarta.
Di seberang Kota Dakar, kita bisa menuju Goree Island, sebuah pulau yang pernah menjadi penjara bagi budak-budak kulit hitam .... dan di pulau ini banyak simbol-simbol terlepasnya perbudakan ......
Gorée Island (Ile de Gorée) is a small island just off the coast of Dakar, Senegal's sprawling capital city. Gorée Island is a big tourist attraction because of its history as a major slave-trading center. It's an important destination for African-Americans in particular who come to pay their respects and reflect upon their ancestors' past. In fact the Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves) on the island has become a place of pilgrimage for everyone to reflect upon the horrors of the slave-trade and remember the millions of souls who died because of it.
Goree Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting to Goree Island: There are regular ferries that leave from the main port in Dakar between 6am and 11pm. The ferry trip takes 20 minutes.
What to See on Goree Island
Goree island is a haven of tranquility compared with the noisy streets of Dakar. There are no cars on the island and it is small enough to find your way around on your own.
· The main attraction is of course the Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves) built by the Dutch in 1776 as a holding point for slaves. The house has been converted into a museum and is open every day except Monday. Tours will take you through the dungeons where the slaves were held and explain exactly how they were sold and shipped.
· The IFAN Historical Museum is also worth a visit if you are interested in the history of Senegal. The museum is situated on the northern end of the island.
· Musee de la Femme (The Women's Museum) looks at the role of Senegalese women in traditional and modern West African culture.
· Maritime Museum offers the visitor information about Senegal's seafaring history.
· The jetty area of Goree Island is filled with little restaurants where you can eat fresh fish. Behind the restaurants you'll find a market that sells the usual tourist trinkets. According to the Lonley Planet Guide bargaining is a lot more relaxed here than in Dakar so it's worth a browse.
Dakar, kota yang kukunjungi di pertengahan 2010 menyisakan kenangan tersendiri ....
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