Blogs from South, Congo, Africa - page 2

19:03 I went exploring today!! I had planned to go swimming in the River, and I was close to as well. Just as I was about to jump in, in swimsuit, the patroller told me to beware of the crocodiles…obviously that led to me quickly removing my feet from the water’s edge and pretending to rush of for a forgotten, booked activity! After that I went to a local visitor centre where I found out more about the rainforest along the Congo. The rainforest provides a home for the “forest people”. They live in groups or bands of around 15 – 70 people depending of course on the outside factors. E.g Hunting, Diseases, trading and Forest area. Most of the time they live near villages to ensure they have lots of food, and other things for ... read more

17:41 I landed at the Brazzaville airport at 7 o’clock in the morning. By then I was very tired and went straight to the hotel (Hotel de ville Brazzaville), on the shore of the Congo River, for a quick nap! I was quite worried about the flight because the African Airways are not as safe and secure due to the lack of Political Stability and that flight in 1989 when the plane crashed after stopping at Brazzaville and N’Djamena…my destination and start point…luckily I had my guide, Abdoul, to convince me, with proof, that I wasn’t going to be blown to smithereens during my journey! My Journey was in fact very pleasant. I planned the rest of my Journey and researched some good activities to do in Congo. Tomorrow I am moving out of the ... read more

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. ... read more

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 circles), partly because his assistant was busy shifting files from his briefcase to the table. Thick wads of cash were openly passed around. I scan the room to find someone equally perplexed by the situation, but no one bats an eyelid. The lady next to ... read more

On the first of March left Pointe Noire, truck got stuck in the sand trying to get out of the camp so sand mats out right away, then off again to logging roads, scenery is beautiful dense forests, a few savannahs, logging trucks driving as fast as they could as if always in a hurry, it rained in the afternoon and made the roads tricky, we got stuck briefly as we try to get up the hill, another truck tried to zoom past us as we try to set us free and got stuck as well, tried to get out and in doing so narrowly missed us. Such assholes!!! Found a camping site next to the road again,nice breeze going, fantastic view of the valley below, lightning lit up the sky and we braced for more ... read more