A Travelogue to Liberia

Part 1 — Roberts International Airport

Fourteen years of civil war brutalized the West African country of Liberia and it has still not recovered from the devastation that killed approximately 10% of the population. Much of the war’s destruction took place in a line that extended from the capital of Monrovia to the jungle town of Gbarnga in Bong County. The area of Gbarnga was a stronghold for the rebel forces and is approximately 120 miles (198km) northeast of Monrovia.

My first trip to Liberia took place in 2007. Another trip took place in 2011, and our family eventually moved there in early 2012. Much changed between each trip and there are decidedly more modern conveniences today than there were even in 2012.

A quick caveat — My post will not reflect any changes that have been made in the last few years, but are meant as a travelogue of our time in country.

Flying over the jungles, the plane makes a turn out toward the Atlantic Ocean and then a few miles out will turn back toward the swampy looking jungle that encroaches even upon the airport. Lower and lower until you sweep past the end of the runway, the plane lands further down the runway. The runway is over two miles long though and the lengthy approach may be due to the runway’s poor condition.