In November 2017, I spent a few days in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso's second largest city, but much more appealing for a tourist than Ouagadougou, the enchantingly named capital. The most vibrant area is around the Grand Marché, the atmospheric market, where all the typical foodstuffs, colorful textiles and household goods are on offer; stranger fare was available on the outskirts in the fetish section. Bobo-Dioulasso’s highlight is the Grand Mosquée, made of mud with timber struts that peek through the plaster. I stayed at Villa Rose, where the Dutch owner was very helpful (in fact, she called me after I made my booking to see if she could answer any questions or provide any information on traveling in Burkina Faso) — plus the room, food, WiFi and outdoor space were great. On the drive from Bobo to Ouagadougou, I stopped at the sacred crocodile lakes at Sabou and Bazoule.