The Background
A little background to the trip I hadn’t planned for. On Wednesday, 5 August 2020, Akua(you all you should know her by now) – that’s short notice if you ask me. On that same day, the company I work for had given us time off to have a long weekend (starting Thursday) to regroup and return rejuvenated to complete our last sprint of a project we are working on. Imagine the perfect timing for this trip… whew 💃
Planning The Trip
There wasn’t really any massive planning involved because all I had to do was show up 😃. However, the question now was, how was I showing up? If you know me, you know my love for African print. I called my seamstress on Thursday and sent her a picture of the top I wanted. She assured me she will do justice to it. Then on Friday she went fabric-hunting till she got my desired fabric. Friday evening my outfit was ready.
The D-day
And finally it’s the day of the trip. The reporting time was 9am. Listen, I won’t talk much about what transpired between the reporting time and our departure time but the most I can say is, we left Accra after 11am. According to the itinerary we were supposed to visit three destinations but due to delays and I am choosing my words carefully, because that is what it was, we were only able to visit two destinations.
About The Trip
I joined the WhatsApp group late so I really didn’t know much. Apparently this was supposed to be the itinerary.
Pick up time – 9 am at the Accra Mall
First visit – A stop at Hillburi Resort to view the place and take pictures. If any participant wanted to swim, the cost was going to be on themselves.
Second visit – Visit to Secret Waterfalls
Participants could have their own time and take photos in waterfall if they wanted to.
Third visit – Visit to Aburi Gardens
After a vivid tour, picnic will begin for the whole group.
Return back to Accra Mall will be around 5pm -6pm.
Participants were advised to take breakfast before coming because we were saving all the fun for the picnic.
Participants could bring swimsuit and change of clothes for pictures at different locations.
Hillburi – The Resort On The Hill
As the name suggests this resort is located on a hill and it was our first stop during the trip. The scenery was magical and picturesque at best – set in a serene garden overlooking the infinity pool and the lush Akwapim Hills.
As breathtaking as this place was, who could resist taking pictures, huh? I managed to start a conversation with Afia (whom you will get to know shortly). The people were amazing, kind and most importantly approachable.
I am used to big pools (like my neighbour’s) and I had expectations of a big pool on this trip, but the pool was… sizeable, not that I swam though 🙊. The view of the pool was breathtaking 💙 though.
Akaa Waterfalls
I have been to two waterfalls here in Ghana so far, and its embarrassing but how must they all have long trail of steps? This is an issue for me because I am acrophobic. I dread the sight of a long staircase, let alone, having to descend one; however I do well with ascending though. I had to brace myself and descend these stairs with grace and patience because obviously there were onlookers and people behind me 😅. Again, I couldn’t do much at the water falls and almost didn’t take any pictures because I had to cross a hurdle to get the best view. Still didn’t but manageable 😉.
The Trip In Summary
I am a “planning” person most of the time, but I also sometimes like the uncertainties and fun surrounding spontaneity and this trip was one of them. I was really looking forward to going to Aburi Gardens because I haven’t been there before and now I may have to take it upon myself to visit the place one of these days 🥺. It was great, fun and one I would definitely do it again 😍.
Most importantly I want to thank, Akua without whom “The Unplanned Trip I Didn’t Know I Needed In This Difficult Time” wouldn’t have been possible ❤️
Lastly, I want to thank Afia, Elorm and Fadila for their photography expertise. 🤩
Final thoughts
Nature is ubiquitous but it’s interesting how sometimes I get to appreciate all of its essence and beauty, and picturesque when I travel. Yes, there is treasuring nature wherever you are, and there is also treasuring nature because of the aesthetics that has been put on it. Let’s all treasure nature in whatever space we find ourselves in, even if it means traveling to get to appreciate it the most 💚
