Day 128: Good progress into Angola
Soutpiel Safari
John & Jenny
Sat 12 Mar 2011 19:41
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Day 128: Saturday 12 March 2011. Bush camp near
Ambritz, Angola S07 46.993 E013 19.253 Distance driven 398
km
Yesterday's strategy and preparation paid off well; we
were through into Angola by 0900, the only hassle being that the bloody-minded
Customs man would not accept our Carnet and we had to purchase a Laisser Passer
for £50. The fact that the Carnet had been accepted in Cabinda would not change
his mind.
The first 80 km from the border to M'banza Congo was a
very fast, well graded and well maintained sand lane and then the next 200 km
from there to the coast at N'zeito was a superb new tar road which we travelled
at 100 kph, the fastest road since Mauritania! Thanks to all those who
advised us to use the Songololo border crossing rather than Matadi, it paid
off handsomely.
The road south from N'zeito, however, was a real
bum-numbing swine. Apparently, it will be like this all the way to
Luanda. We did 110 km today and it was one of the worst roads we have
encountered.
However, 398 km on the first day is more than most of
our friends have done and just about on the average for the 5 day transit, so we
are very pleased with ourselves.
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