Wander Lost

Category: Countries

  • Day 27: Recovering

    I do not know if it was the heat and exhaustion from yesterday or the meal I had when I arrived at the Sleeping Camel but my digestive system has been complaining since 4am this morning.

    I managed to get out this morning with the intention of getting visas for Ghana and Ivory Coast. At the Ghana embassy the first reaction was no. They only issue visas to Mali residents. I stayed in their waiting area re-assessing and looking at the map. I had arranged to meet Scouts in Ghana and did not want to miss that. I could try for a visa in the Ivory Coast but if they refused I would be forced back into Mali then try Burkino Faso. If they refused i would be forced to bypass Ghana and go to Togo.

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  • Day 26: A Horrible Day

    I left my hotel yesterday knowing I had a long way to go to reach the capital Bamako. It was about 650km away, about 7 hours riding.

    I made good progress in the morning with the day getting hotter and hotter but at least it was not dusty like Senegal. At 1pm the heat was unbearable so I stopped at the roadside for a couple of hours and put a tarpaulin up over me amd the bike. At 3pm I started off again thinking at the current rate of progress I would arrive at about 7pm. Just before it got dark.

    Things unraveled from then. First I was getting low on fuel and had seen no petrol for hours. I eventually refilled from my 5L jerry can. That should get me to Bamako. Then the roads started getting worse, I was down to an average of 40kpm from 80kph previously. Sometimes down to 20kph or less. Fuel was getting low again so bought 5L from a man selling fuel from old 1L wine bottles.

    Now it was getting dark. What do I do? Not safe to camp and GPS says 20 minutes to go. Luckily I caught up with a coach so followed him into town. He knew the road and when to speed up or slow down for potholes. It was very dark now. I was very thirsty but dare not stop and lose the coach.

    Although GPS said 20 minutes, It took over an hour to reach my camp site at because of the bad roads; it was 8.30pm when I arrived dehydrated and exhausted. I had a wash, a meal, several drinks and went to bed.

    Today my plan is to stay near a toilet (last nights meal is the suspect) and to apply for a few visas.

     

  • Day 25: The President is Coming.. NOT AGAIN!

    My first camp in the true African bush went well. I had all my limbs in the morning and I slept soundly. That is after I put earplugs in, before that every rustle of the wind woke me up.

    The ride today was pretty much as the rest of Senegal; hot and dusty. There has been a gradual change from salt production and green trees near the coast to charcoal production and more arid conditions inland.

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  • Day 24: On the road again

    I am lying in my tent acutely aware of every sound around me. The occasional vehicle on the road 50m away, the crickets all around,the donkey braying in the distance, and the something large shuffling through the leaves about 15m away. The something large and me have come to an understanding, I will stop making noises and shining my light in its direction if it comes no closer and gives its life for me if something even larger comes in the night.
    The Gambian scouts gave me a fantastic send off this morning and after getting through the capital Banjul, the ferry this time was easy. Even the border was a breeze with only the Senegalese customs insisting on a payment but refusing a receipt.
    The road in Senegal from the border was in just as bad condition as it was last week when i went down into Gambia but roads have improved dramatically since i started the long haul East to Cameroon.
    I have about one to two days travel to the Mali border and expect to cross on Monday.
    Tomorrow: more hot and dusty miles across Senegal.
    Ps. This will be posted next time i have wifi.

  • Day 23: Jerre Jif

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    Gambia is… I could write so many things here but the reality is I cannot do the people justice in anything I write. I have been welcomed by smiling faces wherever I go, and want to come back; and I want to bring Scouts from the UK so they can get some of the energy that has been given to me over the last few days.

    The culmination of my time here was this evening when the Gambian National Scout band have me a personal marching display (I have videod it) and tonight when we had a campfire Gambian style (African music and drums) when I definitely felt like guest of honour.

    JERRE JIF

    (Thank you)

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  • Day 22: Chilling Out

    Today has been a welcome break from the hectic schedule of the last few weeks. Omar took me to the local beach and the contrast between what the tourists see and what the people live is noticable. But what was also noticable was the lack of tourist. Probably because it is early in the season but the fear of ebola has had a big effect on tourism throughout Africa. The fears are unfounded and staying away from places like Gambia because of that fear is like not going to Spain.because of a problem in Scotland. (more…)

  • Day 21: Public transport and Little Trees

    Today has been about getting run over and meeting people. Omar took me to the bank, the phone shop (Internet now working) the market and to his family house. I have also met the teachers at the little trees skills training school that are hosting me, and a lot of local Scout leaders. To get about I have been using public transport, an experience in itself.

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  • Day 20: Lions and a Concert

    I awoke to the roar of lions and after packing away i went to see what the reserve had to offer. I could walk with the lions or do a safari. I decided walking with lions was all my budget allowed. What an incredible experience that was. It was literally like walking the dogs, the sort of dogs that could eat you!

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  • Day 19: The President is Coming

    Two hours ago I was feeling a bit low, it was a horrible day on the bike and i was starting to think i may have to go off road a bit to find somewhere to camp. I am now sat on a game reserve park bench eating pasta, drinking coffee and listening to Lions roar while monkeys run around. Its funny how quickly things can change.

     

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  • Days 19 & 20 – To come

    Just letting everyone know all is OK – I will be doing blogs for these days tomorrow – Teasers: – I nearly met the president of Senegal, I slept near some lions and went for a walk with them this morning – as in walking alongside them like you would a dog, I crossed into Gambia, met some Scouts, had my own personal concert from the national Scout band, met the incoming chief commissioner for Gambian Scouts… And there’s more!!!

    John