Africa by Motorcycle
After breakfast with Steve in Noukchott I started North through the desert. The wind was fierce from the start and 90 degrees to the road. At least it was a steady constant wind not gusting.
After my ordeal at the Rosdo border post on the way down, I decided to head for another smaller post called Diama to cross into Mauritania. Everyone said it is better, unfortunately it is now closed to all but military personnel so I was turned away. Rosso it is then…
Throughout Africa I have been struck by the amount of rubbish there is lying around. Senegal seems to be the worst although Gambia amd Mali were pretty bad as well.
Mostly it is plastic bags, any perishable waste is either eaten by the local goats or even pigs in some towns, the plastic stays in the environment.
I was thinking today that I had not given the bike a name. So then went through various options.
I eventually decided on Dora as a tribute to the 102 year old lady I met in Sierra Leone who is now the carer for 4 ebola orphans.
They are both strong characters that despite life throwing a lot of trials their way, they just keep going.
After the trials and tribulations of the last two days I needed a good day to cheer me up. I am having it Ôÿ║
I woke early this morning to the sound of the call to prayer. The mosque was 10m from where I slept. After packing up and doing a bit of reading, the border post opened and the 100 or so cars that had built up overnight started to move off.
After packing and leaving my hotel my plan was to limp the bike 30km across the border into Senegal where I had the correct money plus parts would be easier to get. The chain lasted all the way.
Throughout Africa I have been dodging wild and domestic animals wandering on the road.
Each of these animals has a different character and needs to be approached and passed accordingly.
Why great? Well just look at the pictures of the road and scenery. New tarmac one minute, jungle tracks the next, then dirt roads. All through some of the most stunning unspolit mountain jungle.
Why worrying? Because…
I have spent the day riding on some of the best biking roads in the world (if you forget about the pot holes).
The Guinea mountains are stuning amd mostly unspoilt.