Summer getaway- Somone
Hello everyone.
Over the summer, I kept up our tradition and took the boys to Somone. This place has really become a staple for us. This time, we started out in a cosy little guesthouse - Havre de Paix and then moved to a proper hotel for our last few days (review here). True to form, we didn’t plan much. The boys, now at that “leave-me-alone” phase, mostly entertained themselves with mindless YouTube videos and gaming. They enjoyed the pool and dining out, while I relished some downtime, watching the Olympics on TV and diving into a few good books.
We ventured to a few new restaurants, starting with a beach shack right by the sea called Chez Atty The place had rave online reviews, but I admit, my first impression was a bit iffy. Still, the spot turned out to be a gem. We had our feet in the sand, watching the sun dip below the horizon as our food arrived. It was fantastic—honestly, I didn’t expect it to be that good. The drinks were just alright, but reasonably priced compared to Dakar. We strolled along the dark beach afterward, a mix of eerie and magical that capped off the night beautifully.
Sunset
Seafood pasta at Chez Atty
We made a couple of trips to Saly as well, mostly for groceries and meals. We had lunch at Kanell, but the food and service were underwhelming. Afterward, we tried out karting, something the boys had wanted to do since 2022. I had been a bit nervous about it before, but I finally let them have their fun this time, and they loved every second.
Shopping in Saly was a pleasant surprise; I found a charming little mall, la Gallerie du Rond Point, with several cute shops and a café. I splurged on a lovely dress at a shop called Kalya. I could have easily stayed there all day, but the boys were anxious to get back under the hotel’s AC. We also found a tea shop that served real bubble tea—a rare treat in Dakar—but it turned out to be a little too sweet for me. According to the boys, this is just a sign I’m “getting old”!
At the Bubble tea shop
Of course, we hit a few of our usual spots, too. Carrefour drew me in again, and I indulged in way too many pastries, snacks, and even a notebook with felt-tip pens (sketching mood, anyone?). Iroko Beach restaurant was just as laid-back and beautiful as I remembered, with amazing—if pricey—food. Eating by the sea never gets old. We ended up at an old favourite pizza spot as well, and I got a veggie pizza that absolutely hit the spot after a few days of indulging.
Iroko beach restaurant
Loaded potatoes
Veggie pizza at Yolo pizza
For the final stretch, we stayed at the Africa Queen hotel, which was much bigger than the guesthouse. We had separate rooms, so I finally got a little personal space. Africa Queen’s real draw was its water park, which had just opened. I invited my sister-in-law and her kids to join us, and they arrived around 2 PM, just as we were finishing lunch. We made the rounds at the pools before tackling the water park; you can check out my full review for the details.
View from the restaurant
Somone and Saly, as always, were a refreshing escape from Dakar. The prices are a little steep due to the tourist influence, but it’s worth every penny for that break from city life. There’s something so restorative about the sea that recharges me every time. Can’t wait for our next trip back.
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