The walkway
Tiles and white rails.
Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK — CC BY 2.0 · Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK — CC BY 2.0 · Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK — CC BY 2.0 · Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK — CC BY 2.0 · Ben Sutherland from Crystal Palace, London, UK — CC BY 2.0
Bata's seafront promenade is a long walkway on the Atlantic in Bata, Equatorial Guinea's largest city and former capital, on the coast of the mainland region of Río Muni. It runs with white railings, palm trees and lamp posts, and residents come to walk and sit by the sea, above all in the evening. Bata had about 309,000 people at the 2015 census and is a transport hub with ferries to Malabo and Douala. It grew fast after the oil boom of the late 1980s and 1990s, including the building of this promenade. The city is known for its markets and nightlife, and its dry season falls in different months from the island's. You see a broad walkway of pink and grey tiles edged by white railings and black rocks at the water, scattered palms, benches and kiosks with umbrellas. Modern towers and hotels stand on the other side. At low tide wide flat rocks appear between the waves, and fountains play in the squares. It is about half a kilometre from central Bata. Late afternoon is the best time to walk, when the heat eases. Watch your belongings, and do not photograph official buildings.
Tiles and white rails.
At low tide.
In the squares.
Seafront, Bata, Equatorial Guinea
Late in the day, when it cools and people come out.
The city centre, markets and hotels.