A British tourist would be proud to know that Banjul (formerly Bathurst) once served as a military base for the British Army and the Royal Navy to prevent the proliferation of slave trade. Banjul is the capital city of Gambia, West Africa. The climate of Banjul is warm all year round ,but January is regarded as one of the coolest months. The heat and humidity is pegged at a moderate level. As there will be zero rainfall with eight hours per day of sunshine this would be the perfect time to shop for great bargains at Albert Market.
The Royal Albert Market is named after Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert Saxe-Coburg. The Royal Albert Market is actually subdivided into three markets: Wholesale and Retail Market, Produce Market and Tourist Market and Craft Stalls. In here you can purchase batik for souvenirs back home and it is said that European goods can be bought at a cheaper price here. The smells and bustle of the marketplace might be too much to handle for some but this is an experience that must not be missed when going to Banjul. Once in the market do not forget to haggle for the best price and watch out for pickpockets.
Also on Independence Drive is the Carlton Hotel which is a cheaper alternative to the Laico Atlantic Hotel. The Carlton Hotel is a townhouse that has 40 double rooms with prices that range from £ 3.65 - £6.39 inclusive of breakfast. Being a standard hotel, this one is acceptable for the price. While all the rooms have showers, air-conditioning is not available in some rooms, so you need to specifically request for one in making your reservation. Since the weather is definitely hotter than what a British tourist is used to, an air-conditioned room is a must. There is no lift in this hotel, so don't choose a fourth floor room.
