Day 60… Wednesday 31st May Found a working ATM! The queues for ATM’s were long.  Is this just a normal problem with technology or an underlying issue with the economy?  17 police stops this morning but the heavy rain in the afternoon meant the road blocks and roads were empty.  Most officers wear military uniform...Read More

Day 50… Tuesday 30th May It was great to have been able to fill up with fuel yesterday as the new president’s speech mentioned the end of fuel subsidies and started panic buying with long queues at the fuel stations.  Hope this situation ends quickly as we wont get very far in a day or...Read More

Day 58… Monday 29th May Left Sagamu needing fuel and phone data. It has been four days without wifi and proof of life needs to be sent! The MTN shop explained you have to be a resident of Nigeria and the app was currently down. Greta was low on fuel and the fuel station planned...Read More

Day 57… Sunday 28th May Another omelette breakfast, another border crossing today. We had a fellow passenger with us, Alexander, a French chap travelling from France who spoke good English and we chatted on the way to Cotonou where we dropped him off. Spoke about the opportunities in Benin, the French pension age and politicians...Read More

Day 56… Saturday 27th May Very intense storms this morning.  Watched the sky darken, the winds pick up and sand blown around before thunder/lighting hit and heavy rains fell.  Sat under a thatched pergola eating mangos until it became impossible, and we moved indoors.  The dance group continued their rehearsals and simply brushed all the...Read More

Day 55… Friday 26th May Pineapple and watermelon in abundance in Togo and we had plenty for breakfast.  Glad to be getting out of another hectic city where motorbikes rule.  The drive to the border was relatively short and easy.  The border crossing from Togo into Benin was very easy and took less than an...Read More

Day 54… Thursday 25th May Went back to the Republic of Congo embassy and applied for a visa through a tiny window hatch handing over documents (letter of purpose, itinerary, passport copies and photos, return flight etc.) The helpful lady advised us to come back at 5.30pm to collect the visas.  Went back at that...Read More

Friendly vibe and a sense of humour.  A shared language helps. People singing and music played often. A predominantly Christian country.  Most vehicles have a religious sign on them – a sticker on the rear window and/or on the vehicle registration number plate such as ‘God Bless’, ‘God is good’ and ‘Jesus is Lord’. Intense...Read More

Day 53… Wednesday 24th May Milo is a popular energy drink offered for breakfast as an alternative to tea and coffee.  It is similar to a malt drink and it has replaced my coffee fix.  2 hour drive to the border through quiet rural roads.  Chose the northern boarder crossing as the reports out there...Read More

Day 52… Tuesday 23rd May Packed up the car, checked tyre pressure and power steering fluid – all ok.  Stopped for fuel.  Absolutely loving the friendly service and being able to chat and joke in English.  Book supplies were running low so found a book shop and stocked up.  Off out of the chaos of...Read More