One

‘One’ might be the second most used word in English language, after ‘the’, of course. And I was thinking a lot about what would be the most appropriate title for a book about The Gambia. ‘One’ was the choice.


The trick was that I had been to The Gambia more than once, yet I wanted the title to reflect my impressions after that first time, so it would be fair with all other travel books I wrote about countries, which I had visited only once. Yet the title for The Gambia had to remain relevant for all those other times I visited the country. Because it was wonderful. Every time! I have been returning to The Gambia for the harmony in which the people lived there. To see how well they lived together in peace was overwhelming and heartwarming. It was because of the Gambians that I broke my rule of not holidaying in the same country more than once, for the first time.


This book describes the author’s personal and unique experiences during his trips to The Gambia in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2014. It contains 105 original photographs taken during these visits. The book covers the following places: Banjul, Serekunda, Latrikunda, Barra, Kotu, Senegambia, Bakau, Fajara, James Island (aka Kunta Kinteh Island), Juffureh, Kanilai, Wassu, Kerbatch, Jangjangbureh (aka Georgetown), Sanyang, Kartong and Brufut.