Day 63. Camp Almagui. Guinea Bissau. Monday 20th February.

Jen has mentioned the Carnival, that is a big deal here in GB. They were practicing all night for it.

Another early start.

Several objectives today.

Ivory Coast Visa
Renewing our vehicle insurance.
Getting Adam’s vehicle import permit updated.
Finding a supermarket.

It didn’t take long to flag down a cab. Virtually every one of them an ’80’s or early ’90’s Mercedes 190, either petrol or diesel. Mostly panel beaten so many times it’s hard to distinguish them from a new one. Surely testimony to the rugged reliability of the earlier brand.

The driver had no idea where our first destination, Ivory coast Embassy, was. With the help of iOverland on Jen’s phone we were able to guide him.

On arrival at the Ivory Coast embassy, several of the other Overlanders were already there. Completing formalities with the kind help from the staff. We have to go back tomorrow to pick up the visa’s and our passports. It was then off to complete the list of other tasks and then another cab ride back to the camp.

Back to the camp

It’s hot. Mid 30’s my guess and humid so it’s into the pool to cool down.

The camp is alive with chat about issues we need to take into account on the road ahead. All but one of the vehicles are heading to South Africa.

Four Defenders (one beside us in the trees) and two Land Cruisers. Two more Defenders out of the picture.

I’m sure there will be much discussion in following blogs, about getting into and through Nigeria. Recently, only about a week ago, the Nigerian currency was taken out of circulation with very little new money being made available. These are signs of total administrative failure. Coupled with that, there are presidential elections. Already people have to queue for up to 8 hours for petrol & diesel in a country with some of the largest oil reserves in the world. This is the end result of rampant corruption. Not only will we have border officials to deal with but a possibly desperate population.

I don’t want to over dramatise it because there are people who are crossing the border now with no reported attacks against them. There is a very good communication network with fellow travellers and we won’t be taking any unnecessary risks.

Nigeria is a long way away yet and our next challenge is going to be getting through Guinea, that only last year went through a military coup. We will be dealing with the military at road blocks, not police!

Visits: 132

2 Comments:

  1. Glad to hear you will ‘be taking no risks’. I just hope there will be a way out if you decide to pull the pin. Keep up the good work. Will add that I take turns with Jen2 with the washing when on the road.
    Just saying.

  2. What a Nancy boy…:) Jen has never bothered to teach me…:)

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