Polished: The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro remains

one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most recognisable architectural landmarks. the town’s deep

cultural and historical significance. Photo:

It unfolds on the road, over meals, through conversations, in old streets, coastal towns and moments you understand only afterwards.

Our week started in Abidjan, the country’s economic capital, before moving across Côte d’Ivoire in a way that few short visits allow.