Cant tell you how hot it is here in Nouakchott, the coolest place is this internet cafe! With over 35 degrees plus in the shade and with a hot sandy wind blowing its exhausting just to sit. Sleepless nights just pouring with sweat.... mmmm, its lovely!
So, we are in the capital of Mauritania and planned to leave yesterday, head eastwards and then down to the border of Mali but of course things are very different here and the simple issues like exhanging or withdrawing money takes a long time. There are no cash machines in Mauritania, there is one in the city here but it's not open until December! The banks will not change our Moroccan money into Mauritania currency so we have spent quite a few hours transferring money via Western Union and in the Bureau de Changes exhanging our emergency euros! And when the person in charge feels like a break, well, you just have to wait until they have finshed. However we did manage to get the Visa for Mali this morning and insurance for all the vehicles for all the countries we will now travel through, except Ghana, so that's a huge bonus and hopefully will save some time at the borders.
We are all quite pleased to be away from the hassles from people in Morocco, people there are very pushy, not really taking no for an answer and the invites of "come and look in my shop, just look, no pressure" was becoming quite tiresome.
People here so far are quieter, calmer and seem just genuinely interested in who we are and where we come from.
Although the incessant barking of dogs in Morocco has been replaced by the honking of car horns, here in the city at least....its relentless, and seems rather pointless, our taxi driver to the fish market seemed to be beeping just for the fun of it, but with no clear rules of the road maybe it helps somehow.
We are looking forward now to getting to Mali- to visit the Dogon Villages, listen to great music in Bamako at the weekend and I have to admit buy a nice cold beer....its been a while! We have been drinking gallons of coke instead and a trip to the dentist when we return is not out of the question!
Thanks to you all for all the messages you send, keep them coming and yes, thanks I am feeling much better. Love and sweaty hugs to you all x
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Sounds very exiting. Except the heat ! And how are the camping places, any toilets and showers ?
Great to see all the pictures. You look very cool in the desert. The swimming pool must have been a big treat ;o)
x Disa
This is thrilling. Is it true that Palli damaged the showers in Noughashoot when parking the Land-Rover?
I haven read your earlier blogs, but if you haven't already visited the Adrar region you should before leaving for Mali. You could actually take the trip over the city of Atar (Chinguetti and other small villages in the area) and then go south again to Mali.
The Adrar region is more of old Mauritania and is very, very quite and friendly compared to where you are at now. Not that Nouakchott is unfriendly, but it is huge compared to the small towns and villages in the Adrar region.
If you then go south from there towards Mali you will get a trip worth the trouble. :)
Hi everyone
Love the photos. How far did Haukur jog in the end? I bet it wasn’t too far. It must have been very hard going in all that sand! Pretty big dunes – a little bigger than Camber Sands!!!
It’s a totally different world to the one we live in, and each country you travel through has it’s own characteristics - and the people too. I can’t wait to hear the whole story - the little bits you tell us about I am sure are only the appetisers.
Do you have to wear your leathers in all that heat? It does sounds very uncomfortable. Which is worse I wonder riding in the hot, hot, heat or the cold wet rain. I expect at the moment the rainy option sounds pretty good – huh?
I have been recording the “Long Way Down”. You might like to compare your travels with Ewan McGregor And Charlie Boardman who travelled the East side of Africa.
LOL
Mum & David
The 4 what? Hot spots! keep the wrists cool, the photos are great but I thought you were suffering, a swimming pool? I bet that felt like heaven and there wont be to many of them I bet. Caroline do you want me to tax your bike? as the form is in for the 30th Nov. You all look as if you are enjoying the trip and I hope all goes well for the next piece of the journey have a lovely time. TT
Post a Comment