Day 113: On the way to Gabon
Soutpiel Safari
John & Jenny
Fri 25 Feb 2011 20:29
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Day 113: Friday 25 February 2011. Residence Hostellerie
Dumonde, Ambam, Cameroon N02 23.150 E011 15.978 Distance driven 291 km
We had heard varying reports of the road from Kribi to
Ebolawa (175 km), but the alternative would have been to return to Edea and then
via Yaounde, to Ebolawa, a distance of at least 500 km, so there was no real
alternative for us as we had the ideal vehicle. In fact, the "piste"
turned out to be a well graded dirt road with very few rough patches and the
route was through magnificent rain forest, so was actually a delight to drive,
especially as there was no traffic. We only managed about 35 km/hour but it was
a really enjoyable drive - hour upon hour of beautiful forest scenery, through
countless small villages with beautifully kept houses and gardens.
After about 3 hours it started to rain and the rain
became torrential. The road logged water and we were soon driving in a
constant spray of red mud, so much so that we just had to find a car wash in
Ebolawa. Firstly we shopped for vegetables in the market, then had a lunch of
very tasty chicken and beef brochettes from a street vendor, eaten sitting
in the car in pouring rain. When we eventually found a car wash, it was manned
by 11 youths all vying for our custom. Five of them set about the filthy Land
Rover with hose pipes and sponges and removed a vast quantity of red mud. I gave
one of them 3,000 CFA and left them fighting over the division of the
reward!
By the time we had cleared Ebolawa it was getting rather
late to cross the border and it was looking like more rain for the night so we
drove to Ambam, about 10 km from the frontier and checked into the Residence
Dumonde with motel-style rooms and the usual sub-standard plumbing. A rather
voluptuous black tart has taken the room next door - when I told Jenny, she said
"I hope she is not a screamer". So much for travelling in black
Africa!
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