Liberia - West Africa - page 509

THE COAST
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Around Monrovia
About 15km southeast of town is the pretty Silver Beach ( 0886-522225), where Layal serves
up platters of grilled grouper, shrimp and lobster against a Sunday backdrop of salsa dan-
cing (US$10 by charter taxi). Another 2km further south is Thinker's Beach , popular with a
party crowd on weekends. In the shadow of the now-skeletal Hotel Africa is CeeCee Beach ,
40 minutes west of Monrovia. Soil erosion is claiming the restaurant, but you can still
swim in a lagoon sheltered by rocks.
Just beyond Careysburg is the quirky Wulki Farms ( 0886-327 637) , owned by a former
minister in Charles Taylor's cabinet, where you can ride horses (US$10), visit the zoo and
order steak in the restaurant.
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Marshall
A short drive from Robertsfield International Airport and 45 minutes or so from Monrovia
is the rural area surrounding Marshall, which makes for an easy weekend escape from the
city. You can camp on the quiet beaches here (speak to the locals to find a good spot, and
be mindful of security) or see Monkey Island , a small archipelago that's home to chimpanzees
evacuated from a hepatitis research lab during the war. Call the animals' feeder Joseph
(%0886-537 942) for information on joining a food run. Just don't get too close; these
chimps know how to throw mangoes.
Nearby is Wolokor Cultural Village , where you can watch performances from a talented cul-
tural troupe. If you're passing Harbel , it's worth taking a detour into Firestone Rubber Plantation
, the world's largest rubber plantation, which is leased from the government on a controver-
sial 99-year plan. You can play a round at the 18-hole golf course .
Libassa Eco-Lodge LODGE $$
( 05-940 930, 0888-555 563; www.libassa.com ; day entry fee US$10, huts US$125, honeymoon ste US$250;
) With pretty, solar-powered huts (named after endangered Liberian species) on the
edge of the forest, Libassa makes for a gorgeous weekend retreat near Marshall. Pack your