A forced rest day! Forced because of TIA (This Is Africa)… The Congo River has been a challenge.
“Sunday morning! I do my yoqi practice as the tropical early-morning rain abates. Some freshness in the air. White herons fly by in formation, their patterns clear in the sky, a distinct leader at this time. Beautiful white herons fly by in the shape of a V. Others in smaller groups… where are they off too one must wonder….And then a wonderful, shimmering green kingfisher flickers about in the garden, refreshed from this morning’s rain. It’s some of the first rain in many months, we have been told.
Sunday morning !… Sunday morning has greeted us with an early monsoon rain. The garden’s plants are glittering, refreshed, and the birds sing joyfully. There’s a sense of both joy and longing in their song. Around 9 a.m., the church cranks up with its joyful melodies. Sunday Morning !”
We are staying at Mansion Javouhey, a Catholic guest house in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, waiting for the cars. Wonderful and restful. Not like a hotel … wonderful thoughtful staff we communicate with via our phone translator . Recommend by iOverlander.
Brazzaville has a completely different feel compared to Kinshasa. The tourist information suggests it has a more laid-back vibe than many other African cities. And we feel this too, as soon as we left the dock
Kinshasa was tough, the DRC is tough … negotiating the passage for the cars. Before that driving 8 hours in horrendous traffic to get around 190 kms into the outskirts of Kinshasa.
But then being kindly helped by Patrick and Japhet to find a hotel ….as it was getting late.
Then the next time we move after a day of rest …about 2.5 hours in early morning traffic get to 13 or 14 kms from our hotel …the Enjoy Palace …where we had spent 2 nights to the port. To find out how to get the cars across the Congo and how much. Then another day of more getting the cars on the barge and us on a ferry. The city of Kinshasa is hectic and tense ( for us anyway ). Wondering around to get cash from an ATM had its own little rush of anticipation. And some “Bonjours” along the way.
There were many an hour spent under or near by the Avocado tree by the wharf gate …. Meetings and waiting and in nearby cafes , but mainly under the Avocado tree ! ….waiting and wondering as our ‘fixers’ … Inspector Elvis and Mr Hoffman (mainly Elvis ) worked the system ….And we handed over cash all along the way.
At the wharf we saw some of the toughest guys you could imagine. Day labours carrying domestic freezers on their backs up ramps from barges up to awaiting trucks, and man handling 500kg bails of clothing and carrying two toilet pedestal on their heads. I said to Inspector Elvis ….”This is the real world”….he said …”oh yeah this is the real world”.
Lifting the girls on to the barge …Kinshasa side of the Congo
But we still don’t have the cars from the Congo crossing. What has turned into a 5 or maybe 6-day saga continues. The cars are stuck on a barge at the port. We hope they are safe. It’s Sunday, and we spent all of yesterday doing the required paperwork. We are told they will be free on Monday morning early.
On the barge … Brazzaville side of the Congo
We are contemplating the next steps in this journey, considering how we might navigate the coming days—perhaps shift or change our plans to see what we can do.
The African Adventures with Molly and Melissa might be taking another turn in this seemingly(micro) epic journey.
There is a tolerance here… You can feel it—a mixture of Christian and Muslim influences. “Inshallah” (which means “God willing” or “if it is God’s will”) is commonly used by Muslims to express hope or intent for future events, acknowledging that everything happens according to God’s will. Our “fixer” … 1.99cm of Mr Kevine … who speaks French, English and Chinese… plus I think he said a little Portuguese and works for the Minister of Foreign Affairs … said “Inshallah” a few times yesterday.
It’s always been my view when traveling that you must respect the cultural perspectives of those you meet. Many times we’ve received blessings—“with God’s blessing”—and are happy to accept these kind words, even if the members of this venture have little religious perspective.
So, it’s Sunday morning … around 10am … let’s wander the streets and see what we can find. Let’s wander the streets and see what insights we might gather about our place of rest … And perhaps find an ATM to withdraw some money—a common challenge. And then coffee and cake at a nice patisserie!
French pastries
As we contemplate what has been, what is today, and what is to come, we think with gratitude of everyone we’ve met and will meet on this amazing venture!
We’ve made a call… we’re making a U-turn.
Because of all these delays (from a 6-week delay in getting the cars from Durban to other holdups), we don’t believe we have enough time left on our Nigerian visas and other timing issues to make it all the way to Morocco. So, we are strongly considering, when we get the cars tomorrow (all going well), driving from here to Cabinda—the section of Angola on the north side of the Congo—and then crossing back into Angola. We may catch the ferry to Soyo or use a land border by going back through the DRC to get into Angola. Maybe we’ll visit Cado Ledo again before heading east to Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Mozambique.
It’s a very big shift in plans. It’s not something we won’t to do …. But our circumstances have dictated how we must consider our options … and make the most our opportunities. So its heading east …. More exploring to be done.
Some one had to many Tequilas last night
But… TIA, and you have to find a way to fit in, develop a flow, be patient, and adjust the game plan as needed.
This is Sunday… so we are mulling over this big adjustment to our plans. And all we can do is smile and say we have been giving it a go.!!!
