Blogs from Mauritania, Africa

I've arrived in Nouakchott now after a few days cycling from Nouadhibou. To get out of the peninsula I had to cycle a few hours into the wind, which thankfully had dropped a lot compared to the previous few days. Then I had a day cycling with strong cross winds, before enjoying 35km/hour and more on a day that looked like something from an apocalypse film. Red haze, visibility about 300m or so and a raging wind. Fortunately the raging wind was behind me, so it was quite exciting. I did meet two cyclists heading north. They have chosen a tough option. On the open road, the drivers are pretty good and very considerate. Several stopped to see if I was OK, which is reassuring in such an environment. Finally, I got a perfect day of ... read more

Mauritania is blue. That sounds strange perhaps. Most people, if they think of the country at all, or know about it for that matter, might say it is more sand coloured. It is 90% desert after all. And sand is everywhere. The desert never far away. Nouadibhou, Mauritinia’s second largest city, feels more like a conglomeration of desert villages then a city. There are a few paved roads, but most of it is rutted tracks, swathes of open sandy patches, low mud brick dwellings, goats, camels, Bedouin tents, and lots and lots of garbage. Most people would say it’s a shithole. I liked it. Mainly because it just isn’t like any other city I have been to. And the fishing port is very interesting. You aren’t allowed to take pictures for some reason, but you are ... read more

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” – Jennifer Lee I really like this quote as it illustrates my longing to journey to Mauritania quite nicely. It has been a dream to travel to this unlikely destination over the last few years. I am unsure what drove me to imagine this place however it took ahold of me, enough to board a flight to Africa. Perhaps its that very little is known about it or was it the rawness of the harsh realities of the environment and its people. Whatever it was this was one of those occasions which set my soul on fire. To get to the start line of Mauritania was a big task however jumping in to discover its treasures is a totally different thing. "Ignore all warnings.... ... read more

FOtki na razie, wpis będzie z czasem.... read more

Stasiek wraca z wizami :) Wojtek cisnie na gaz pedzimy w strone granicy,nocleg 100km przed granica, mile sniadanie i na granice. Zatrzymuje nas policja i sprawdzaja sie niepokoje wojtka,pytaja o ubezpieczenie ktore skonczylo sie dwa dni wczesniej ze wzgledu na czekanie na wize.Na szczescie skonczylo sie na mandacie za niby przekroczenie predkosci . Jestesmy w Mauretanii,przestrzegani przez wszystkich jaka Mauretania ciezka i niezyczliwa czekamy w strachu na pierwsze posterunki. Pierwsza kontrol dokumetow prosza o fiszki dajemy fotokopie paszportow, Bon voyage i jedziemy dalej, tak kolejne posterunki nie wiemy o co chodzi nikt nie wsadza lapy do samochodu po kase. Ibrahim ten od kawalu jadac z nami do Dakhli mowil "Ci zolnierze na granicy tak gadaja na tych mauretanczykow a tak naprawde to oni sa gorsi,nie chcieli mnie puscic na granicy jak nie dam im 50euro,mimo ... read more