Mali: Mopti – Niger River Harbor
Mopti is often called the “Venice of Mali” – it lies at the confluence of two large rivers of Niger and Bani that during the wet season create a massive inner delta and the whole town becomes just a set of islands that are connected by traditional canoes and boats (called pinasses). In dry season (which is now), boats congregate near the harbor along the Bani river, boat workshops are also here. The whole scenery looked more like an apocalyptic Mad Max version of Venice – the town of mud brick huts with Saharan sand covering the streets and mountains of non-decomposing trash lining up the harbor and the river banks.
