Well I guess it's time to own up!

[Big Zed]

Hmm the route/map/linky thing. Well I have no ideas how to do that sort of thing.If any one wants to enlighten me I will give it a whirl.

And Ferdinand getting in was interesting, but not really scary. I put the whole thing up on the HUBB so others could know. It's at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/r ... well-77534 .
I stayed at Zebrabar, very nice place. Spent some time with Martin and learned a few things.

Homeward journey........................hmmmmmmm, now that was never in the plan and the plan has been put to one side anyway, so.......................................................

[I of the strom]

Thank you, really enjoy reading this, nice attitude and especially liked the early posts 'I'm still here'

Have a good trip and enjoy the freedom and adventure your attitude brings

[Big Zed]

Meanwhile....I was still thinking.......

That has been stuck in my head for a while now. I find myself stopped, chilled out and just sitting there thinking. Never about anything important :laugh: .


I have moved on from Senegal. I left the country via Kedougou in the gold mining area. I spent three days there with a guy who was one year into a four plan to set up a gold mine. I learned a whole lot about Senegal, it's people, social fabric and gold! I can see why the Senegalese people are so happy within themselves. The social system that holds them together is fantastic.

I crossed in to Mali and set a route for Bamako that left the tarmac. The forest of Mali is simply breath taking. I know I am here during the rainy season so it is all green but wow! Three days with wild camping, then a week at Cool Camp in Manatali and finally another 140km to the tarmac. All dirt roads and forest trails, absolutely fantastic.

The Ebola thing is causing some travel problems out here. I believe the Nigeria/Cameroon border is still closed and that gives me a problem for going south. I have been thinking about a boat from Tema in Ghana to jump the problem. However the Ghana Embassy here in Bamako has said no to a visa. So some homework is needed about that one. We will see.

The next step is to Burkina Faso. I have looked on the big Michelin map and there are some roads it says are impassable during the rainy season. Sounds like a challenge to me.........................

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[Simon_100]

Wow big fella!

Have fun

Love from simon & Polly in Spain

[PHILinFRANCE]

I hate you

Be safe and have fun mate (thumbs)

[tea007]

BIG ZED

As You said to me your a bit small for that 990 !!
if you get stuck or worried you said

IF IN DOUBT FLAT OUT

lol lo it really does work (most of the time)

have a good one big man (thumbs)

[Big Zed]

Hahaha yeah flat out is the way forward!

Well I have moved on again,I am currently in Burkina Faso. I have just picked up my visa for Ghana so along with Togo I am bound for the Voodoo countries. I have been trying to work out an alternative route out of West Africa but the politics and ebola are really causing problems. I had the cracking idea for a 2500ish mile route across Chad, Niger and the Sudan. But I have been advised against it for safety reasons, a few too many wild cards out that way. And the ebola is reported to still be causing problems with the Nigeria/Cameroon border, so maybe not that way then......
It seems the port of Tema and a boat may be the best option. Off to the KTM dealer in Lome, grab some parts and ask lots of questions. Still it's not a race!

Now those roads, the impassable ones in the rainy season. Well in that strange way that things go out here they were fantastic, lots of standing water in places but good solid roads. However as soon as I got to Burkina the rain really went for it. I managed to pull off a perfectly good tarmac road and drop the bike with ten feet! Berk, hahahaha.

Hmmm, I can't seem to get the pics to upload. I will try again later.
Take care everyone.

[OB1]

[daveuprite]

Great to hear from you again, John. Sorry I've only just noticed your thread, but Chris (Motobreaks) and I were just talking about you the other day, after we got back from another year on the HISS.

I overlanded much of Africa back in 1989/90, and it's great to hear of anyone giving it a go. Are you heading East now across the sahel or South East down to the Congo? How are you planning to return to Europe - Nile northwards I suppose? Or are you going all the way to SA?

Keep posting - it's brilliant. And when the border crossings get you down, just whistle 'Always look on the bright side...' from Life of Brian. It got me through a lot of dark times.

Take care, Dave (DRZ400E)

[Big Zed]

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Hello everyone. Sorry this has faltered.

You know this travel thing is just so good. I have experienced a lot in life but man am I learning stuff! There are some days when I stand mouth open like a small child just lost in the wonder of what this world has on show. If only all us crazy humans weren't making such a cock up off it all. Everyday is a school day and all that.

Right then; I have been playing in Togo and Ghana. Togo is just wonderful. It is Jurassic Park. I don't like the tarmac so with some advice from a guy in Burkina I worked a route though the country. So far the forests of Togo and Mali have been my favourite places. Plot a bunch of waypoints, follow the compass and have faith. The rewards are just spectacular.

West Africa as a whole has been wonderful. There have been a couple of glitches along the way but that is life, no worries really. This place is just so incredibly different from the one in which I grew up and learned my values. The politics are appalling, the people are wonderful (always in the country, the cities have a greed all to themselves) and the trails are just mind blowing.

Ok so lets see if I can get pictures up.................

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