TRAVEL 08/07

A fairly comfortable travel in the hottest period, with an air conditioned Mercedes Benz 220 E yoc 2001. It was really fun, but unfortunately this friend does not bring more cars to the Gambia. Too bad.

..... now I'm sitting in Morocco with friends in their house and you try to write like this trip OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED running. With the cars we have ever had any problems and of course also hope that it stays that way. Here are the cars will be a little flattered, so they make a better impression. So far, the trip went smoothly and fairly quickly. Only the story of Hermann makes me a little headache, but at the same time I learned from it that I must inform you better, so that no misunderstandings occur which affect the Mitfahrbedingungen to Gambia. On this trip, I've got a car to drive by Rüdiger, so do not use our own car, because the DOKA indeed still stands in the Gambia. So I could make no direct announcement about the price of the trip, but I said Hermann anyway, I find it good when the times right at the beginning Rüdiger a 50, - € is apparent in the time and then walk again one. We have used the travel time to entertain us a little about the club, Hermann is also a club member and I had the feeling Hermann wants to be involved more. Then I told him about the problems with the DOKA in Gambia, which is no money for the payment of duty and we talked in general about the club finances. 

When I Hermann then in the course of the conversation asked if he could take over the payment of duty, perhaps, I was told that he was not prepared to so and refuses. When I told him point out that I would find it good if he would give the Ruediger 200 € for the trip, I was reproached him I wanted to take advantage and I had abused his trust, to which I would rather put it close to him as soon as possible the to leave car, because I just know it is not such a setting is appropriate for such a trip. 

But now the journey continues, without Hermann and here in Tiznit is already busy with the cars made and screwed. The revision of the vehicles will last for another two days and then it goes on. Meanwhile, I'll watch me Tiznit, write a little about you and me to rest for the next 4000 km. And to be continued ....... 
as soon as I find an internet cafe where I can dock my Lappi or someone else at home .... 
So do not be impatient, at least when I'm back in Germany, it continues .... 

11.9.07 

Now, we are now in Mauritania and sweat, but it has also had rain. Something I've never experienced in Mauritania. True rain and sandstorms, alternately. Quite different colors got the land and the dry heat of the desert has turned into a wet sauna heat, so I was pretty glad that the air conditioning system of the Mercedes was not repaired before we went into this sauna. But too much air, I will not use, because a cold then I would not have, because my digestive problems which I have now been around for several days, enough for me really. Now we only hope that is fixed at the Land Cruiser, the hydraulic still so Rudiger and Achim also be able to travel a bit more comfortable. 

This time I get from Mauritania, a very different picture than the previous trips, but still covered me always a little anxiety here, because all but happened to sound very strange, although I now have several times been in Africa since the Mauries call themselves "The masters of the world" and thus is really said everything already. Anybody can make his own thoughts about this, but personally I'm just confused whether much confidence!, Especially when it sees the situation and live the poverty in which most inhabitants of the country. But I think that I do not quite understand why I'm going to assume no other verdict. 

On this journey has certainly grown on me the idea to write a book in which I'd like to play my humble opinion on my observation situations and events. All purely subjective of course, and with no claim to perfection, because I do not belong to the lords of the world. For some weeks I'm back in Germany, had after the first week but still a malaria outbreak. To me it still does not particularly good, but I'll still try to describe the last journey. 

After we had prepared the cars as far as Rüdiger was reasonably satisfied, we have continued on as quickly as possible towards Senegal. Of course, we could not go over Dijama this time, because this track is in the rainy season with four-wheel vehicle difficult to navigate. So this time we had to take the ferry at Rosso and the stress is usually pure, but with the necessary rest also to be created. After many hours of waiting and distress from the locals we could get off the ferry ride and then in Senegal to wait again .. and wait .. to the immigration formalities were completed here at last. 

So we spent the night in Rosso and slept a little outside the city on the road. At dawn, then on to the ferry and the long waiting times. But it will pass eventually and we were ready at noon with all customs formalities. And then it went back into the home stretch ..... because from here there are only a few hundred miles to Gambia. Since then, there is no stopping it. And so we rustled in Senegal are in a considerable pace over the road to so quickly to the Gambia, because even if the journey was reasonably comfortable, after 7,000 KM is to be happy again but sleep in a real bed, shower and again a meal to cook. But one night still lay ahead. Eventually, when it was already on midnight approached and would not stop the potholes in the road we stopped again beside the road, drank a few cans of cheap beer ALDI and then fell asleep exhausted. Once the sun tickle us in the nose, we drove on and reached after a short time, the border with Gambia. 

Everything went by in peace and serenity and we were in a short time with the customs formalities in Senegal ready and willing to plunge us into the next adventure. The Gambia national border is always an adventure, because one never knows what to expect. Well Rüdiger and his Land Cruiser had steered right then, like the right first impression when he was told that he and his car could not travel to The Gambia, as RHD are still illegal in Gambia. I told the official that he should not be, and should allow entry to my friend, but please, as it would only come to visit me and wanted to travel to Togo after a few weeks more. At first he did not understand properly until I told the officials that I have family in the Gambia and wanted to visit this. Since his impassive face lighted up, I got my phone out of his pocket and wanted to charge loan, which I succeeded, of course, not right the first time. 

But the spell was broken and so the official has completed with a certain pride for me. The cars were then quickly examined by Customs, a can of pineapple changed hands and we could go to the police and immigration authorities further. Immigration was done fairly quickly, but then we were really surprised, because the cars were now again very thoroughly by Police investigated for drugs and weapons. There were to be found in our cars, but probably no telltale signs of drug or weapons possession, we were able to continue after a brief stay very last on the last kilometers worst slope towards Banjul. 

We arrived around noon and visited Essau like Abbas, who remains the property of Florian guarded, but he was unfortunately not present and so we started the arduous journey for the crossing to Banjul. Not only the road is pretty bad, but even the ferry ride to Banjul needs a good dose of patience and perseverance. And so we needed only to get on the ferry a few hours we spent waiting. And when we finally had the Mercedes on the ferry, which was then filled and Rüdiger had to wait for the next ferry. But at least we, Sidi, Achim and I have now been to Banjul. Well also Rüdiger then came yet and we could finally make it to the last part of the trip and cheer the shower and the bed forward. Done .... 

The next few days I spent in order to distribute the meat brought to the customer and to present myself in the company of which I have received an offer to work as a manager for. But since it had me so caught again, so I took advantage of this appointment with a fever and the owner of the Carpenter could only say that I think this must and now could not reply because I was ill. Cabinetry, furnished with antique machines, but rugged and ready, I will then manage and ensure that young people learn to operate these machines. Basically, a good introduction to the work which our society has set as a goal. Now I will wait and see what information I will soon be getting respect from Gambia, and if payment is still true then I will do this job well. 

Then I got back to the DOKA to Customs for an extension of the Gambian license and was able to also visit the old acquaintances and friends. A visit to the land in Sanjang I have not done this time, since the rainy season the roads and paths not happen in part. But the site's running away and not even the next trip will come. Maybe even sooner than I thought to myself, but I will surprise me. This time I only get the usual diarrhea and after a few days of an unexplained fever that I have not gotten rid of the whole stay through it, but I was still feeling relatively good. Despite rainy and very humid. My tools, I then also fetched from Essau and stored in a dry safe place, in the hope that I can not sell them some good parts, but first I need to invest even a few hours in tool maintenance. But this I will decide everything next time. 

Until the next trip report, I wish you all the love and good health. I hope it made you enjoy another new travelogue to read. The latest pictures of this trip you can watch it in the gallery under Travel August 2007. The first time that I could see rain in Mauritania. An overwhelming color experience that is in the photos but does not recognize as completely, unfortunately. But the small difference can you notice when you view the other pictures in Mauritania, there is then the difference in color of the dunes pretty obvious.