Day 115-121
25th - 31st March 2007, Cameroon	previous entry next entry

Day 115 25/3. Presbyterian Mission, Yaounde, Cameroon

3°52.81'N 11°31.34'E. Miles today 176, Total Miles 10989

One last swim and play in the waves before we head off to Yaounde for visa hunts for the next few countries. Wow, another good road all the way there. Rob's bored again. Had to pay a heap of tolls for this road, around CFA 500 a time but they are always a great opportunity to buy goodies. One woman was selling snail kebabs, which a passer by tried to convince us were amazing. We settled for a delicious huge bunch of bananas. In fact, I gave the young girl half back, as there was no ways we would be able to eat them all. She seemed confused but nonetheless delighted. Yaounde is a huge and somewhat modern, hilly city and we camped at the Presbytarian Foyer International, a grand orange brick house on a hill overlooking the city. Great spot, shady grassy camping area and you use the upstairs loo and shower inside. Sister Susan and Stephanie are super friendly and helpful. As they are popular with travellers, they know a lot about the visa hunt here and so organised a "minister" to come and change money for us tomorrow. Tat and Michael arrived shortly after us as well Marc and Charlotte in the funeral van. Right little overlanders party we have here.

Day 116 26/3. Presbyterian Mission, Yaounde, Cameroon

3°52.81'N 11°31.34'E. Miles today 4, Total Miles 10993

Strange sleep last night disrupted by the famed mad man who wanders around shouting and setting the dogs and roosters off. Thankfully he's quite harmless but both Tatjana and I gave our regular middle of the night pees a skip. The "Minister Money Man" came and changed Euros cash for us at the same rate as banks but alas no travellers cheques. And so we started our visa hunt for Congo, Gabon and DRC (Zaire). Off to the Congo embassy first and man, this commissioner must just be plain bored, as he got the oldest antiquated map out to track our journey so far. He took ages to agree to give us visas but in the end told us to come back tomorrow and offered us 30 day visas for CFA 50 000. (Expensive but still heaps cheaper than what we had been quoted before) Feeling chuffed that we had saved a penny or two, we had a quick stop at the Mahuma supermarket round the corner from the Mission. Well stocked with loads of stuff and possible to find the odd good deal. Like all other travellers, these next three visas burn a huge hole in your budget and so, we had a long chat about ours. Have decided to forego our two nights of luxury in a safari lodge and rather put the funds towards fuel. Perhaps we may still one night in a guesthouse in Windhoek.

Day 117 27/3. Presbyterian Mission, Yaounde, Cameroon

3°52.81'N 11°31.34'E. Miles today 9, Total Miles 11002

As promised, our Congo visas were ready on time. Gabon is next and is quite handy being just round the corner. They are notorious for being a bit sticky about letting you in and we had been warned not to wear flip-flops. Tatjana and Michael spent ages getting ready (in fact, they washed their jeans especially) donned their special shoes and Tatjana even washed her hair. Rob and I made absolutely no effort whatsoever, actually, no, sorry, Rob did put on a clean T-shirt. Turns out, they don't let you in wearing jeans. Poor old T and M had to sit outside in the security hut, while they let Rob and I in. Shocking really, as we were both pretty dirty. No problems though and were told to come back at 4pm that afternoon and were granted visas for 30 days for CFA 35 000. Quick wander around the supermarket for some fresh meat to make a chilli tonight. Yum!

Day 118 28/3. Presbyterian Mission, Yaounde, Cameroon

3°52.81'N 11°31.34'E. Miles today 4, Total Miles 11006

Arrived at the DRC (Zaire) embassy only to be told that the girls would not be allowed in wearing trousers. No problem, as we have our whole lives in the car and so a quick change (in the street) and we were sporting frocks! We were told that these visas (CFA 45 000) would take 2 days and would only be ready on Friday. We tried to argue, as most people get them overnight but she assured me this was the case and we would have to pay extra if we wanted them sooner. It actually worked out cheaper to stay in Yaounde, so we waited. Decided to make full use of the fresh meat being available and bought some chicken and made a yummy casserole.

Day 119 29/3. Presbyterian Mission, Yaounde, Cameroon

3°52.81'N 11°31.34'E. Miles today 176, Total Miles 11006

Not much happening, just laundry, internet and chilling. We have discovered an awesome bakery, the blue building opposite the fuel station at the bottom of the hill. Yup, they have BROWN bread and rolls and yummy doughnuts and heaps more stuff. Also bought some really scrummy peanuts from the women selling them in old whisky bottles. Loads of mangoes for sale everywhere but am kinda mangoed-out after Nigeria. Had a suprisingly delicious steak and chips in the Globus Restaurant, which overlooks a busy part of town and so makes for great people watching. It came complete with a little live music in the form of a very old but funky Cameroonian man, who insisted on playing Gypsy Kings for me.

Day 120 30/3. Presbyterian Mission, Yaounde, Cameroon

3°52.81'N 11°31.34'E. Miles today 5, Total Miles 11011

Stocked up on some goodies and beer at the supermarket and collected our DRC visas. This time they wouldn't let me in, as I was wearing a vest with my skirt but they happily gave my passport to Rob. Chilled out at the mission entertaining the children with balloons that Tajana had, which went down a treat. Amazing how every child has a pair shoes on here in Cameroon. These kids insisted on taking them off each time they sat on our floor mat. They were all very cute but things did get a little heated, as they slowly managed to burst the balloons and there weren't any more to give out. Marc and Charlotte have sold their funeral van to a government minister who plans to use it for political rallies. Found some fresh basil in the supermarket so tucked into a fresh tomato and basil spaghetti, whilst participating in the nightly overlanders forum. Seems like T and M would like to spend a few more days in Cameroon but Rob and I need to watch our fuel consumption and so will head straight to Gabon tomorrow and hopefully meet up with them again before the Congo.

Day 121 31/3. Cameroon Gabon Border

2°17.52'N 11°26.80'E. Miles today ?, Total Miles ???

Having eaten really well and had plenty of rest over the last few days, we waved goodbye to T and M again and headed towards Gabon on a beautiful road. No problems leaving Cameroon, with customs and immigration right at the border. And so we pack away the West Africa guide book and map and willingly take ourselves towards Central Africa…towards rain, more scary bugs and mud!

Day 115-121

25th - 31st March 2007, Cameroon