Liberia is an unexplored country that has attracted adventurers seeking to discover this little known destination. All we knew about Liberia was that the country was founded in the 19th century as a project to relocate free-born and freed slaves after the American Civil War. Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence. Our first stop was at the lovely surfers’ paradise of Robertsport. Here we celebrated Christmas with a Liberian church service, a sandman, and a BBQ feast (courtesy of our driver Jordan, Wayne and Aussie Dave), a soak in the sea and a white elephant gift exchange. The next day, we hiked over to the abandoned ghost ship of Tamaya 1, indulged in a lobster lunch, and spent the afternoon relaxing on the inviting beach. Robertsport was such a fantastic place to spend a few days and we really enjoyed our time there. Unfortunately, our next destination, the capital city of Monrovia, was not as pleasant. One of the cheapest accommodation options in town was the STS Compound – Joe’s Place. For $10 a night per person, we had the privilege of setting up our tent at this ant ridden campsite and it was easily the worst camping experience of the trip thus far. However, the city of Monrovia itself made up for our discomfort as we found it fascinating to explore. Our first stop was the legendary 5 star Ducor Hotel that was only in operation for 27 years until the civil war in 1987. With over 206 rooms on 8 floors, it would be the perfect setting for a post-apocalyptic movie. Other highlights of the capital included the massive Waterside Market and the National Museum. After leaving Monrovia, our final stop in Liberia was at the wonderful Kpatawee Resort and Waterfall. Setting up our tent at the base of the waterfall was magical and we thoroughly enjoyed soaking in the private plunge pools there. Our last night in Liberia was New Year’s eve and we camped on a tiny village’s football pitch. An impromptu dance party ensued, making for one of our more memorable new year’s eve countdowns as we ushered in 2024. Our time in Liberia flew by but we made some great memories while exploring off the beaten path. Next up is Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and we can’t wait!
Hut painted with the flag of Liberia's colors
A tourist abseiling down a massive tree in Robertsport
Colorful huts at Nana's Lodge in Robertsport
A girl carries a bucket of tuna on her head; Robertsport
Becky and Lauren wearing their African dresses to celebrate Christmas in Robertsport
Looking down the steep hill from Nana's Lodge into Robertsport
Santa baby in a Robertsport church
A Liberia flag on a wooden fishing boat; Robertsport
Helping prepare a yummy Christmas feast in Robertsport!
Jordan and Dave working hard to prepare our Christmas day BBQ
Rob models a beautiful skirt he received as a white elephant gift
Sandman on Christmas day in Robertsport
Admiring Dan's new Grindr profile pic
A simple sail boat just offshore in Robertsport
A friendly beach dog spends the day with us in Robertsport
Taking a dip in the ocean at lovely Robertsport
Pinky, Robby, Wayne, Dan, Becky, Uma, Gretchen & Rob - a fun day in Robertsport
Good morning Liberia! The view from our tent in Robertsport
Robertsport's ghost ship, the Tamaya 1, which mysteriously washed up on shore in 2016 without a trace of its crew
Another angle of the abandoned oil tanker Tamaya 1
Victims of piracy? Who knows...the mystery of Tamaya 1 has never been solved
Lobster feast in Robertsport
Lauren poses with her lobster
Villagers pumping water from a central pump
A massive pot of rice at our lunch stop
Artwork on a wall at our guesthouse in Monrovia
Catching a motorcycle taxi into Monrovia for $1.60
A truck loaded with bags of charcoal
Baskets for sale in downtown Monrovia
Our motorcycle taxi had an umbrella to keep us shaded from the midday sun
The Ducor Hotel is an abandoned luxury hotel in Monrovia
The swimming pool section of Ducor Hotel
Ducor hotel sits on top of Ducor Hill with fine views over Monrovia's West Point district below
The abandoned Ducor Hotel could easily be used in a post-apocalyptic movie with vegetation overtaking the 106 rooms over 8 floors
Reuben, our entertaining tour guide, strikes a pose next to graffiti in the Ducor Hotel's nightclub
The luxurious floating staircase in the abandoned 5 star Ducor Hotel
Rueben fist bumps us after our tour of the Ducor Hotel
Statue of Joseph Roberts, the first president of Liberia
Freemason Grand Lodge in Monrovia
Souvenirs for sale at the Monrovia craft market
A friendly local welcomes us to Monrovia
Chicken and duck seller in Monrovia
Traffic jam at the Waterside Market in Monrovia
Clothing section of the Waterside Market; Monrovia
A lady with beautiful hair braids strolls through the Waterside Market in Monrovia
The bustling Waterside Market
Women wearing colorful textiles at the Waterside Market
Wigs and hair extensions for sale; Monrovia
An open air market in downtown Monrovia
A young girl smiles for the camera
Our friendly waitress at Teta's Restaurant; Monrovia
First United Methodist Church; Monrovia
A stern message for Liberia's citizens - "women are not properties"!
Statue outside the Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia
Entrance to the National Museum in Monrovia
An intricately carved storage container on display at the National Museum in Monrovia
Face mask on display at the National Museum
Carved wooden display at the National Museum in Monrovia
President Tolbert inauguration cloth on display at the National Museum in Monrovia
Artwork of a torn Liberian flag being stitched back together
"Even Wars Have Limits" memorial; Monrovia
Twin girls smile for a photo
The Edwin J.Roye Building, a wrecked remnant of the True Whig Party
Enjoying breezers and beers at an impromptu pool party in Monrovia
$5 for an all day pool pass in Monrovia - well worth it!
A man carries mannequins through a busy street market
"Think Liberia, Love Liberia, Build Liberia" - political poster on the outskirts of Monrovia
Vendors selling potatoes in a massive outdoor street market
The vegetable section of a massive outdoor street market on the outskirts of Monrovia
A young man selling fish by the roadside
A young girl carries her baby sister in Cutting Garden
Men loading a wild boar on top of their car in the village of Cutting Garden
A baby plays in a basin full of water while her mother watches; Cutting Garden
Two young boys pose for the camera
Artwork on the exterior of a simple house
Enjoying beautiful Kpatawee Waterfall
A young man shows off his pride in the Liberian football team
The lower section of Kpatawe Waterfall
A fruit bar at the Kpatawee Resort, an eco-lodge built at the base of the waterfall
Artwork on a hut at the Kpatawee Resort
Robby outside our tent at Kpatawee Resort
Rice paddy field at sunset near Kpatawee Waterfall
Boys jubilantly greeting us
Boys begging us to take their photo
The entire village shows up to ring in the new year with us!
New Year's Eve party with village kids...what a way to usher in 2024!
A young boy shows off his baby sister
A young mother and her child
The hut where we rang in the New Year with our new friends from the village