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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Mar 30, 2005 02:00 PM Last day in the West Africa...
Happy to be back in Douala I found good, airconditioned internet cafe on the main street of Akwa quarter. It is so hot and humid here that without a/c I cannot afford to spend 3 hours at the computer. It cost 800 CFA per hour at CYBERDOT.com to response all letters and update my travel log. In front of the cafe they sell big bananas /50 CFA/ mango /25 CFA/ and papayas /100 CFA/; in the market they cost even less...
Tonight at midnight I have my flight to Entebbe - Uganda.
No, it is to risky to go overland via Congo... I got air award ticket for this flight /long live KLM!/. In Uganda new segment of my voyage will start/: overland south - to Rwanda, Burundi and onward. It is time to pack my backpack again and take a taxi to the airport /3000 CFA or 2500 if you bargain well/.
Keep your fingers crossed! Love to all of you!
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Mar 28, 2005 02:00 PM Bimbo, Bimbo - CAR - what a place!
There are many missions sprayed out of CAR. I was lucky to find priests from Poland working there - in the village Bimbo - south of the capital. Their unpaid work is worth highest appreciation - apart from church activities they build schools and help suffering people. The church seems to be here the only organization who care about them - trying to improve their life. I stayed 2 days at the mission - it gave me opportunity to see everyday life in the countryside - what they do, where is the important water from, how they prepare their manioc meals...
Thank you my dear countrymen for your warm hospitality and all patient explanations; Lets God bless you and your work!
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Mar 27, 2005 02:00 PM CAR - Bangui - The haunt starts after dusk...
The capital of CAR is located on the Oubangui river... Congo on the other side. Bangui centre of the city is very compact - just for one hour walk. A lot of mango trees... Beautiful flame trees in blossom. The best view of the river is from the best in town Obangui Hotel - cheapest room 35000 CFA.
Whites are not safe on the streets - police and soldiers ask for passport and... money. Because white means here RICH !!!.
Ahy photos except those from the hotel are risky - you will pay... and pay and be happy that they will not take your passport with them - it take days to have it back!
But the real hunt starts after dusk - a lot of police cars on the streets, they stop every car - also us... You dont have your belt fasten, you drive too fast or too slow... Money, give money... 15 000 CFA is normal payment for soldier with a gun. Pay and escape home!
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Mar 26, 2005 07:00 PM To the former Empire of Bokassa - why not?
Douala is at the moment the only african air gateway to the Central African Republic. I decided to take my chance and what is going there... It was early Easter morning when I boarded Camair plane in Douala airport. 10000 departure tax in cash. Very few passengers. After 1.5 h flight over the green, lush jungle we landed in Bangui. Immigration officer asked me: your reason of journey?
TOURISM???? No tourists in Bangui since long time...
Bad time to come: two weeks ago there were elections. No results so far. Unrest possible...
White expat took me to the city and I attended the Easter mass in the cathedral - full of people but only few whites - interesting ceremony and nice songs...
I am in the CAR - such a strange place! How to survive?
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Mar 25, 2005 07:00 PM Where to stay in Douala - Cameroon...
In the capital city of Yaounde gare routiere /bus station/ is located on the outskirts of the town. The yellow taxi to get there will cost you 1500 CFA. Take care on arrival! You will be attacked bu the hord of touts trying to take your luggage and you to their favourite bus. There is a lot of competition. Make a choice of the bus which is almost full - you will not wait hours in the heat for departure...
The ticket from Yaounde to Douala cost me only 2000 CFA. plus 500 for the backpack.
In Douala there is a place to stay I would like recommend to all backpackers: Catholic Mission in the commercial quarter Akwa, rue Franceville. They offer a/c rooms capacity 2-4 for 6000 per bed or 8000 if you want to stay alone... Clean, friendly, silent and they even have swiming pool in the garden - good place if you need short rest after your adventures in the desert and the jungle...
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Mar 24, 2005 07:00 PM Good Friday in Yaounde
One more big african city. Hot and humid, noisy, crowded streets - after 2-hous walk aroud the centre you will have enough... Notre Dame Catherdal is worth to visit - there were a lot of people - but very few whites on the streets. People are not happy to be photographed... And the police do not allow to take the pisc of Hilton Hotel Area... Time to escape!
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Mar 23, 2005 07:00 PM Yaounde Express - Cameroon
This is one of the few and famous african railways.
We started from the town of Ngaoundere...
Well, not so fast! First you must stay in the line of the booking office - they open it at 10 am... Then you will be asked if you made the reservation /48 hours prior to the departure/
You did not - you were treking in the Mountains! It works -
they will sell you you ticket anyway: the couchette cost 25000 CFA and 1cl seat - 17000.
Depârture was at the sunset /18.20 pm - but delayed till 18.45.. Government workers in the same car were little noisy and it was very hot in the compartments but what a experience! In the dining car they even serve meals for 2500 CFA and a coffee in the morning!
We reached Yaounde - the capital city of Cameroon at 10.30 am /with 4-hours delay - but remember - it is AFRICA!/
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Mar 21, 2005 07:00 PM Trek in the Mandara Mountains
We spend 3 days on the trek in the Mandara Mts - in the Northern Cameroon - enjoying the landscapes and visiting unspoiled villages. The village of Rhumsiki acts as a base - there you can find your guide - I recommend Daud an Napoleon, your cook and your donkey to carry sufficient supply of mineral water - take min 4 ltr per day - it is very hot and dry here!. The landscape of rocky towers and pinnacles are wonderful. We spent nights in the courtyards of the local people - tasting local food - I found millet beer the best...
It is far from Douala and few tourist come here - but is is definitely worth - this is real, colorful Cameroon. Plan to spend min 15000 per day - all included but it is worth!
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Mar 18, 2005 07:00 PM Visiting Waza National Park - Cameroon
There is few National Parks with plenty of animals in Western Africa. Waza is one of them - definitely worth to visit.
About 2 km south of the village Waza turn left at the sign and you will reach mini-hotel at the park gate - it is lovely place to stay with 10 stone rondavels, showers and fans - they charge only 7000 CFA per double rondavel.
Arrange a car rental at the village /25000 CFA per 6 hours drive by junk truck into the park/
Start early to see more animals at the waterholes. Be prepared for terrible bumpy roads in the park!
And enjoy the wildlife. I did! - the park entry fee is 5000,
camera 2000 extra, car fee 2000 extra and obligatory guide
will get 3500 per day... Still worth if you are in the little group!
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Mar 17, 2005 07:00 PM How to cross the border to Cameroon...
Ndjamena - the capital of Chad lies close to the border.
First you must obtain the visa to Cameroon - there is the embassy and it will cost you hefty 50000 CFA /USD 100/.
Then at the bridge you will take a crowded public minibus to the Chadian control post. It cost only 200 CFA.
Do not pay any money to the Chadian immigration or customs - it is illegal! Get your passport stamped and walk along the second bridge - you are in Cameroon now. Here formalities goes much easier - nobody ask for money /or was I just lucky?/
Take a motocycle taxi /250 CFA/ to the nearest town of Kousseri - there is no other transport... and enjoy Cameroon!
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