CREEK TOWN AND TWINS ISLAND

Not really of interest on Twins Island: once home to Mary Slessor, where she hid the twins condemned by local traditions - giving the place its name - the island is now home to a few descendants of the survivors. They show you their fishing nets, the modest dwellings of today and a few animals in captivity, such as an iguana or a crocodile, to enhance your visit. This walk is especially worthwhile for those who don't have time to visit Creek Town and simply want to enjoy a boat trip on the river, in the heart of the mangrove swamp.

A visit to Creek Town, on the other hand, is much richer. You'll be able to observe the peaceful life of the locals and soak up the island's unique atmosphere, with its birds, mangroves and small scenes of daily life. As you arrive on the pontoon, you can immediately make out the old two-storey colonial house overlooking the bay from its promontory. Prefabricated in the U.K. before being delivered by ship, it was reserved for the dignitaries of the day, including King Eyo Honesty II, who ruled the city in the early 19th century. The interior, still inhabited by his descendants, seems frozen in time, with wood furniture and old photos. Old cannons and an 1845 bell can be seen along the way, as well as the charming ochre-coloured Presbyterian church from the same period, which lends the complex a unique heritage character.