Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Garrison St)
This is the place to find colourful local wax cloths and
gara
(thin tie-died or
batik printed sheet).
Big Market
MARKET
(Basket Market; Wallace Johnson St; 7am-7pm Mon-Sat)
The top floor of the Big Market, also
known as Basket Market, has a larger selection than markets in Lumley. What makes this
the best place to shop for souvenirs is the traditional household goods on the ground floor.
Orientation
Central Freetown is set out on a grid pattern with Siaka Stevens St as the main thorough-
fare. Budget hotels are clustered near PZ Turntable, which stays busy late into the night.
Aberdeen and Lumley lie 30 minutes to an hour west, depending on traffic.
Information
CULTURAL CENTRES
224683;
www.britishcouncil.org
;
Tower Hill;
8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-2pm Fri)
Cultural Centre.
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Freetown has less crime than you'd imagine, but it still makes sense to be cautious and
avoid walking alone late at night or leaving apartment doors unlocked. Walking on the
beach alone, even during the day, is a bad idea.
By far the most dangerous creatures in Freetown are not the mosquitoes but the (admit-
tedly cheap) motorbike taxis, which buzz far more loudly and swoop up and over the hills
like there's no tomorrow. There might not be if you take one - do so at your peril and
wear a helmet.
EMERGENCY
The emergency services (
999) are unreliable in Sierra Leone.
INTERNET ACCESS
Most of the good hotels and some of the restaurants listed in the eating section offer ac-
cess to wi-fi. Most expats get by with USB pay-as-you-go internet sticks. You can also
pick up internet-ready SIM cards for smartphones and iPads.
MEDICAL SERVICES
