Top Eight Reasons Why Granny Should Come to Ghana

1. Cohen, Brontë, Materia, and Cuyler: I resisted the ease and temptation of making these reasons one through four, but obviously the four grandchildren (not to mention their parents) would be thrilled to share "their Africa" with Granny. Besides, you came to see us in England and it's practically a tradition now that you visit us abroad. And in case you wondered (you shouldn't) we miss you and we love you! Think of the memories you will make and talk about with your grandchildren for many years to come.

2. Monkeys and Hippos and Elephants...Oh My!: You are guaranteed to come up close and personal with a rather splendid variety of plants, mammals, and birds that previously existed only in books and zoos. If you're really lucky, you may even get bitten by something and have a cool scar to show for it!

3. Bragging Rights: You just know you've got that one friend who has a PhD in oneupmanship and try as you might, your accomplishments (which are, let's be honest, pretty darn impressive in their own right) always fall just short of winning the focus of conversation around tea (or other such "refreshments"). Try this: "I just crossed oceans, jungles, and continents to explore Africa with my grandchildren. What are you doing in your retirement?" The photographs alone will set the hens a-twitter! The Killarney Guide and will likely want to do a "Where Are They Now?" exposé and you'll probably wind up with key to the town.

4. Beaches: This should be the final straw, as we know all too well your weakness for sun, beaches and sand. We just bet that the thought of your feet in the warm sand (in winter!) set your toes a-wigglin'! Can you hear the waves? ...the sound of the ocean in the conch shells? ...the windswept voices of your grandchildren playing on the beach? We can. Enough said.

5. Waterfalls: Okay, so I know that Canada has waterfalls, but the chances are that you will not have any of them all to yourself, at least without a half day hike into the rocky mountains. And, you will certainly be discouraged from getting close enough to feel the rainforest spray on your face! We've hardly seen another tourist on any of our excursions, admission is ridiculously cheap, or free, and (for better or worse) no one seems to discourage us from doing anything in the presence of a waterfall.

6. Culture: Museums, markets, safaris, grass huts, dancing, Kente weaving, castles, drumming, woodcarvers, palava sauce, fufu, banku, and so much more. Not to mention the fact that Ghanaians are some of the friendliest, most welcoming people in the world--and they love Canadians.

7. Africa: Hey, it's Africa! There is very little chance that you will say to yourself, in reflecting on the content and quality of your life, "It's too bad I went to Africa." Quite the contrary, I might argue. Of course, you might get eaten by an alligator or trampled by a hippo, but who could ask for a better fate than this?! You'd be legendary, there would be a video on YouTube and Peter Mansbridge would be talking about it on The National. Sure, there would be emotional scars left on the children, but they'd all be spiritually healed and financially affirmed after their father wrote his tell-all creative non-fiction memoir about the experience and it became an Oprah book (and you know how I adore Oprah...it's a win-win!).

8. Winter: Need we say more? Let us know when your flight arrives and we'll pick you up at the airport!!