We'll update this page
when we can, but also check the SMS Update Page
for news
of our progress.
27.01.09
Yesterday the
trip was hard going over horrendous roads. The border
crossing was a pain, we refused to pay the charge to leave
in Mauritania so sat around brewing tea for 2 hours then
finally gave in, it cost £200 for both borders! but worth
it to get to here. It's very lush and beautiful after the
deserts of Mauritania. Zebrabar is by the river and has
little shacks with beds for hire sitting among palm trees.
Having a rest day today in Senegal; Jukesy has gone on a
boat taxi to St. Louis with some of the other teams, Deansy
and McGill couldn't be bothered so are canoeing and
relaxing instead. Also traded a jerry can and the sand
ladders for beer with some Germans!
Wildlife encounters in
Senegal..........
The owners of the site have a rescued donkey which woke us
up at 6am baying! It's now running around playing with some
dogs...... McGill shared his bed with a lizard (but don't
tell his wife) and Deansy thought he saw a baboon when he
went to the toilet during the night but it turned out to be
a painted bin! To top it off this afternoon a monkey with a
head like a leopard strutted around our shack, it was
incredible! but refused to pose for photos and legged it up
a tree as soon as we got close.
Tonight a few (traded) beers and a BBQ with the other teams
before we head to the Gambia tomorrow. The trip includes a
nightmare ferry crossing - we have been warned that thieves
will try their luck with pick pocketing and breaking into
cars so will have to be careful. We should arrive at Banjul
tomorrow night and plan to have rest day Thursday before we
fly back to the UK on Friday!
29.01.09
Very, very long hard day yesterday on bad roads and ended
up with a flat tyre! finally arrived at the hotel at
10:30pm after a nightmare journey through Banjul with no
lights on as the electric's on the car are knackered, just
like us! At least it got us to the finishing line.
So we made it to the Gambia and today is our last day. One
of the organiser's is going to take us to the airport
tomorrow in our car so we can say our goodbye's!
Unfortunately, we will miss the auction which is on Tuesday
but think the car should make about £2,000 which will go to
local charities in the Gambia.
So tonight, for a change (not!) we are going to chill out
with a few well earned, celebratory
beers....................
