Luanda, Angola
November 30, 2022
Today we awoke to rain and as we pulled into port it seemed to get worse. Out tour meeting time was 8:45. The official passport stampers boarded the ship at 8 am and we were cleared to go ashore at 9.
There isn’t a lot to see in Luanda and this tour will be stopping at four different locations.
Terri searched for the most attractive hat amongst the group.
We boarded the bus shortly after 9 and the rain was finished. On the bus, our tour guide answered some questions from passengers. One question was the unemployment rate. “The government tells us it is 25% but we know it is much higher. Close to 75%”. Angola has a problem with crime and it is fueled by this unemployment number.
First stop is the Iron Palace. Supposedly this was designed by Gustav Eiffel and was on its way to Madagascar. The ship made it is far as Angola and the government seized it and had it built in Luanda in the 1890s. It has been going under restoration for the past 15 years. It really isn’t used for much. There was a drum set and guitar set up on the first floor and I heard a guide speaking about auditions.
Our caravan of 8 busses was escorted by police and followed by an ambulance. I guess the government doesn’t want to take any chances.
Next stop was a Catholic Church.
As far as Catholic Churches go it was quite lame.
We past a monument to fallen soldiers.
Next stop was the Museum of Anthropology.
Small museum. Maybe 30 minutes here. Next was the monument nicknamed Sputnik where the tomb of the first president of Angola is.
The President obviously thought quite a bit of himself. Quite a monument amidst of so much poverty.
Last stop on the tour was Saint Miguel Fortress near the water. It had many military vehicles and did provide a nice view of the water front.
On the way back to the port we passed one of the Government buildings.
