Destination Sierra Leone

Once notorious for a civil war that went on for 11 years from 1996 to 2002 and for the blood diamonds financing it, Sierra Leone today is famous for its diverse nature from savannah to rainforests and for the white sand beaches around the capital, Freetown. 50000 yearly visitors (just for comparison, my home city Vienna has more than 17 million) still mean that you will hardly find tourists, unless you arrive with 550 Budapest-Bamako participants.

I have never been that far south in Africa, there will be two new countries added to my bucket list this year, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Really looking forward to it!

Sunday 9am: close to Almeria

We will reach the ferry, in one hour we should be in Almeria. The night was rather busy:

  • south of Barcelona we made a detour to look for another team that needed Laci’s advice about their broken car (which was radical: engine swap required)
  • at 3am we took a 2 hour break at a gas station in the middle of nowhere
  • we drove 700kms to Almeria
  • now we hope the ferry is not fully booked
  • Spanish mobile internet sucks (you find GPRS around towns, nothing in between).

Some quotes from the roadbook

Some generic advice: “keep in mind that when we use the term “possible” it means “possible”. It doesn’t mean “easy”, “piece of cake”,  “without any effort”, “without shoveling”, “without sweating”, “without sacrifice”, “without pain”. It just means “possible”, which is the direct opposite of impossible.”
About wrong expectations: “Don’t ever expect a party to happen at night. Organize one.”
How to prepare: “Achieve final balance and harmony before the big challenge. You must be of sound mind and body to embark on the Budapest-Bamako. Come clear your mind, heal your body and find harmony with the universe at our yoga mediation session before the start”.
About the main sights of a Moroccan town: “The town is famous for its skilled mechanics.”
Accomodation options: “If you don’t feel like roughing it and camping today there are some sub-standard, bed bug infested little hotels in town. Enjoy!”
About entering Mauritania: “Today you’ll be entering the land of alcohol prohibition so finish your supplies.”
About the Morocco-Mauritania border crossing: “The border crossing will be somewhat annoying and nerve wrecking. Be cool! Be patient and accept your fate. The Moroccan border has three stages. Consider it an obstacle course … There are no police or military here. There’s no law. However, there are plenty of mines …  After the minefield you’ll arrive at the Mauritanian side. The bureaucratic nightmare will continue here.”
About the Mauritania-Senegal border crossing: “Consider the Morocco-Mauritania border a walk in the park compared to this one.”
About Mauritanian stages: “Please fill up every extra can. Have 10 days worth of food and water ration. You will not be able to shop for the next 2-3 days.”
“Find the spot where you can cross over to the beach road. Mark the spot with an empty can or by placing one of your mates there as a living road marker. Get back into your car. Build up speed … Don’t run over your friend unless you want to!”
“You’ll have to get through an insane dune field. If you get stuck here there isn’t enough money to pull you out. You’re better off buying a new car than have your old one towed. The wrecks will attest to that.”
“Sandboard here. Sorry no ski lifts!”
About the quality of maps of Senegal: “It’s imperative, that you don’t start following someone else today hoping that he knows the right way. Chances are that you’ll get lost together.”
About dangers in Niokolo Koba: “No bush camping tonight!!! There are real wild animals here that can attack you any time. If you get stuck, sleep in the car.”

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