Muna visited Casa del Papa

Muna sitting on the bridge that links Casa del Papa to the Spa Karite!

I love Casa del Papa, a beautiful beach resort in Ouidah, Benin Republic for many reasons! It is a major act-as-if for me and you can read my thoughts on it here. However, my dear friend and colleague Muna, visited Casa del Papa as well, and though I have gone there for 4 years running, he experienced it in a totally different way than I did!

This really got me thinking about perspective. If you had asked me about Casa del Papa, you will only hear about the ocean (because I am an ocean-chaser), the peace, the great spa  and maybe the food- and you would have thought that was all there was to it. But ask Muna, and he would tell you about the abundance of history that can be found there, the interaction with nature and all of the abundant opportunities for sporting activities that abound and maybe an “oh, its by the ocean”. Isn’t that interesting? That we see the same thing and experience it differently, such that we can all be right from our different perspectives? I find this really interesting because it’s also a lesson in appreciating diversity- my point of view is not always right or superior to yours, it is just what it is, “my point of view” and so is yours.

Anyhow, this post is really about Muna in Casa del Papa but I found that thought interesting so I had to share it. Enjoy photos of Muna’s time away.

When Muna visited the sacred forest! I see him chatting with one of the statures- LOL!

Out & About Ouidah, and enjoying Coconut Juice as the locals do! Must be absolutely refreshing!

Kayaking at Casa Del Papa

My new favourite place in Casa del Papa, the Spa Karite! A beautiful, rustic spa with amazing services- it is an African Spa and is unlike any I have been to in the past. See photos here.

The building where you rent your quod bikes or boats (left) and the Spa Karite in day light.

I just had to put this photo, same picture as above, just different tones! Stunning.

The point of no-return- was the gathering point for slave traders where slave ships berthed and slaves were transported from Benin Republic to Europe

And the ocean… that frames it all!

The pool at Casa del Papa overlooks the ocean and is very restful in the mornings. At noon the kids fill it up and the sound of laughter carries for miles and miles…

Muna shares his breakfast. A bite anyone?

Ok, I hope you enjoyed Casa del Papa. Just writing this post takes me back there. I can almost feel the masseuse massaging my shoulders to the sound of the sea gulls calling and the whoosh of the waves from the ocean. Absolutely serene! I hope you enjoyed Muna’s photos. It’s his birthday today, and I wish him happiness, health, a lot of wealth and adventure! I am also glad for the lesson that he taught me (unknowingly) by sending his photos- its like the analogy of many people who have never seen an elephant touching one with blindfolds on. If you touch the ears you say it’s a fan, if you touch the legs, you say it’s a like a tree, touch the trunk…. you catch my drift? It’s a lesson in inclusiveness, that my truth does not preclude yours. We should all aspire to improve, be better and have more knowledge but we must be tolerant of one another while on the journey!

Thank you Muna! Thank you for reading and please be awesome this weekend! Do whatever endeavour your hands find to do with grace and excellence. Love the ones God has put around you and contribute your beauty, your essence to life! Ciao!