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Congo Travel Blogs

Background: Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government installed in 1992. A brief civil war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but ushered in a period of ethnic unrest. Southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers with significant potential for offshore development.

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By LuBarnham
July 18th 2009

Of Roasted Pangolins, Dead Monkeys and Pilchards Africa » Congo

transport, congo style

The plunge into Central Africa brought us to a string of exotic-sounding places I’d never heard of in my life; places like Oyem, Ndjole, Lambarene, N’dende, Mila-mila, M’banza Kongo,Benguela and Lubango. The few that I had heard of - Brazzaville, Kinshasa, Luanda - did not fill my heart with delight, though there was a little buzz, a small flush of excitement, connected with each, because they seemed like cities of the imagination, places that had seen hard times, were or had been hard to live in, and were visited only by intrepid explorers, coffee swilling journalists and w [View Full Entry]

By teamhogwild
February 10th 2009

bored... Africa » Congo » West » Mossendjo

Hey all so I have an hour break right here between classes and am in no mood to write my paper so I thought why not post something here? Not that I feel anyone really reads this too often... anyways so this week here at school is called RAG week... stands for something along the lines of raise and give. But yeah besides the point prettymuch what it means is that everyone is just drunk all day long and the school sponsers all these crazy events and the clubs and pubs get it on it too... basically just the best week [View Full Entry]

By Warthog
January 14th 2009

Finishing a tour and trying to get home! Africa » Congo » West » Point Noire

A view back to the Altair
The Bourbon Altair, home for Xmas and New Year 2008, on the FRC (Fast Recovery craft into Point Noire

Point Noire, Congo to Lilongwe, Malawi.... 4 days and lots of patience!! A laughable attempt to get home So this was it, the day finally arrived after 6 weeks my flight home was approaching and I made the biggest mistake of all, looking forward to it. All was set, having managed to walk into Point Noire and find an internet cafe that worked after the internet on the boat died again.... all was arranged to fit perfectly, out of Point Noire, after an afternoon stroll round the town and on to the beach, down Avenue General De Gaulle, past the [View Full Entry]

By Warthog
January 1st 2009

View from a Rig Africa » Congo » West » Point Noire

First view of the rig
GSF 135 from the Asterie

Still trying to learn to type in HTML thing, so apologise for any mistakes I'm just going to add in here some photos of the rig, the GSF 135 on the Moho Bilondo field off the Congo coast. Before anyone gets to up in arms about it, just consider for me it's a job and someone would do it anyway and the computer you're using to read this with is probably using fuel from a fossil fuel powered station.... For me the best is seeing the aquatic life and actually now having an idea of how polluting (or not as the [View Full Entry]

By Warthog
December 28th 2008

Avenue General De Gaulle, Pointe Noire Africa » Congo » West » Point Noire

The Bourbon Altair from the FRC
A blurred view at speed back to home...the Altair Apologies for the quality, was a camera phone at speed on the water in the fading light!!

Dry land for the first time in a month! Well, if you can really call it that, not much of the experience I would normally look for, but the chance came up to head into town, via the FRC (Fast Rescue craft) so I took it to go and have a pizza in Pointe Noire. Having been on something that moves constantly with the motion of the ocean since 26th November, I ended up on a boat, anchored in Pointe Noire harbour and just after Xmas, 2 of the other guys I work with said they wanted to head into town [View Full Entry]

By Warthog
December 23rd 2008

Arriving in the Congo Africa » Congo » West » Point Noire

Congo and Pointe Noire, a deep green sea holding the future of a country? Arriving off the Air Gabon flight from Paris CDG, I am joining the many "oil workers" that have descended upon the West coast of Africa in recent years. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised that the airport worked well and efficiently, passport control took less than 5 minutes, there was the usual gaggle of "give me luggage ticket, I will get for you" when you are stood next to the already working baggage carousel. I will be back to see if the same welcome is [View Full Entry]

By Mondelay
July 27th 2008

Water Supply Africa » Congo » South » Brazzaville

Everyday Life

Life without running water involves containers, basins and buckets. In general water is transported in 25 litre containers in carts, wheelbarrows, on heads or in taxis from communal pumps. This single water supply is used for drinking, preparing food, washing oneself, the house, children and laundry. [View Full Entry]

By Mondelay
July 26th 2008

Brazzaville in Darkness Africa » Congo » South » Brazzaville

Me in Pirogue
Proof that I did have my hair done!

There has been no electricity for two days now. Supply from Kinshasa to the whole of Brazzaville has been cut. It’s such a frequent occurrence that no one bothers to moan, everyday life continues in the darkness. Street vendors remain by the roadside, friends congregate at bars yet settle for lukewarm beer and taxis continue to shift the masses from one side of town to another. Complete neighbourhoods are plunged into darkness save for kerosene lamps and candle light. Private generators are increasingly widespread and start to buzz and expulse kerosene fumes as soon as the power is cut, [View Full Entry]

By Mondelay
July 25th 2008

Self-Sufficiency Africa » Congo » South » Brazzaville

There is no culture of outsourcing. Every business is self-reliant, own electricity supply, security guards, couriers, cleaners. Supermarkets import all their own stock (i.e. no wholesalers), patisseries bake everything in-house, hotels have their own laundry service. The notion of economies of scale is absent, only self reliance ensures survival. [View Full Entry]

By Mondelay
July 25th 2008

Breakfast in Brazzaville Africa » Congo » South » Brazzaville

View of Kinshasa from Brazzaville

Breakfast in Brazzaville can be a surreal experience. The ‘Exotic Palace’ seemed quite a formal affair with tablecloths, while ‘porcelain’ and fully togged waiters. Initially I had the impression of stepping into a 1930s tea room, yet the contest between France24 broadcast in one corner and Celion Dion at the patisserie counter gave this place the truly African touch. Brazzaville’s business men were present en masse. One particular entrepreneur caught my attention, partly because of his meet and greet style (showed off too much, only new to the money and power [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » Congo