25-09-2011 Gabon -Ambam -Bitam-Ndjole-Libreville

Last evening in Cameroon hotel Ndjole 

25-09-2011 Gabon- Ambam border – Ndjole – Libreville

Bitam at the border of Gabon

Sunday morning we left early to get to the border. Ambam we exit cameroon we entered gabon at bitam. The border crossing on both sides was easy, no difficult Officers. Immigration just wanted photo copies of our Passports and of the Exit stamp of Cameroon. Their photo copier was not working, so we had to go across the street to a shop to do it.

The Rain Forest

Soon we were on the road to Mitsic. Coen asked for a 11 stop for tea. This is now a saying elevens for tea. We bought eggs at the market in Kribi, boiled eggs were one of the items on the open sandwiches today.

Elisme and Stephanus remarked that this country is more developed than the previous countries. The roads are in an excellent condition. They are maintaining the roads. The villages are clean no debris lying around. The houses are neat and of a western building style. They are painted. The cars are new model cars and washed.

The families build their houses in groups. In the court yard right in the middle, they have the tomb stones of their beloved once. They all have beautiful wraths on. You can see they honour their ancestors

We drove through rain forest all the way. The ferns are so luscious. The trees are huge and very old. The climbers are flourishing around the trees. I have never seen such thick bamboo bushes; they are hanging over the road. Stephanus remarked that he saw Guavas for the first time on the trees we haven’t seen any guavas up to now..I am sure the fairies are staying here. This is Very difficult to get on camera. The rain is falling softly. The road follows a river, which is in flood, with snow white rapids..

Rain forest

River in forest

We drove through rain forest all the way. The ferns are so luscious. The trees are huge and very old. The climbers are flourishing around the trees. I have never seen such thick bamboo bushes; they are hanging over the road. Stephanus remarked that he saw Guavas for the first time on the trees we haven’t seen any guavas up to now..I am sure the fairies are staying here. This is Very difficult to get on camera. The rain is falling softly. The road follows a river, which is in flood, with snow white rapids..

They have rubber plantations here. You can see they are looked after. They keep them clean between the trees. There little black bowls to catch the oil, al in straight line.

We arrived at  ndjone our first hotels location was excellent overlooking the river. The manager was asleep and the barman couldn’t give us permission to sleep in our vehicles and rent one room.

what a view, but no Manager to help us at the hotel

Hans asked Coen and Shanhaze to go and look for the other hotel. They radio and said we must come they got another hotel.

Supper at Mamma's D and J hotel

This is how we got to mamma and the red and beige hotel. The hotel was right opposite a night club. Sunday evening is their favourite evening to party, and boy did the Cambodians party. One thing you get use to all circumstances.

Mamma’s chef was away and there for we could make our owe food right in front of the hotel. Mamma was watching us from her chair parked in front of the reception. She was very interested in what these mzungus were doing.

Elisme was responsible for Supper to night. She made stewing beef and risotto rice. Mamma got her bowl of food. That brought us a lot of gratitude. When some more guests game in, she told them not to park near us and they must be quiet.  We are sleeping in our vehicles,

Monday morning our morning coffee was exceptional nice. We had it with our now favourite biscuits spitze. Hans did our moment of silent’s this morning. His message was we must lead by example, even when we are far from home. That makes you think of your behaviour.

Diesel was very cheap here 1liter is costing 470 CFA that is about R7. We used what was left of our CFA to fill up the tanks.. Hans got us 3 French loaf and with that we were on our way to Libreville. That is the Capital of Gabon.

jimmy will be our guardian Angel his mariana’s cousin. The boys need to do a lot in Libreville. It is time to get Visas for Gongo DRC and Brazzaville Gongo and starting with Anglo.

The vehicles need so service again. The roads are still taking it toll on the vehicles. Lights need attention and tyre changes. There is still some sand in the tyres.

Hans needs to go to a Dentist and Shanhaz must see a doctor. Her rush just doesn’t get better. Coen need to get new spectacles, his took a punch to.

We continue to drive through the rain forest the beauty of it is so peacefull on the soul. Words fell short to describe this, what the eye sees.

After 3 hours drive in Gabon we rich the equator leaving the southern hemisphere .  We stopped for tea to celebrate. No as Stephanus said we go downhill. South Africa is getting closer.

Jimmy phoned and said he is waiting for us. He gave us leads what we will see as we enter Libreville. The people of Gabon is really working and trying to develop their land. They work on the roads, they keep their environment clean.

We follow Jimmy to his apartment. His hospitality was over whelming. Once in a house again we realise how special it is to have a washing machine, tumble dryer, micro and a hot water shower with running water. One thing this trip really teaches us is to appreciate the small things in life.

Next time Libreville.

Sunday morning we left early to get to the border. Ambam we exit cameroon we entered gabon at bitam. The border crossing on both sides was easy, no difficult Officers. Immigration just wanted photo copies of our Passports and of the Exit stamp of Cameroon. Their photo copier was not working, so we had to go across the street to a shop to do it.

Soon we were on the road to Mitsic. Coen asked for a 11 stop for tea. This is now a saying elevens for tea. We bought eggs at the market in Kribi, boiled eggs were one of the items on the open sandwiches today.

Elisme and Stephanus remarked that this country is more developed than the previous countries. The roads are in an excellent condition. They are maintaining the roads. The villages are clean no debris lying around. The houses are neat and of a western building style. They are painted. The cars are new model cars and washed.

The families build their houses in groups. In the court yard right in the middle, they have the tomb stones of their beloved once. They all have beautiful wraths on. You can see they honour their ancestors

We drove through rain forest all the way. The ferns are so luscious. The trees are huge and very old. The climbers are flourishing around the trees. I have never seen such thick bamboo bushes; they are hanging over the road. Stephanus remarked that he saw Guavas for the first time on the trees we haven’t seen any guavas up to now..I am sure the fairies are staying here. This is Very difficult to get on camera. The rain is falling softly. The road follows a river, which is in flood, with snow white rapids..

They have rubber plantations here. You can see they are looked after. They keep them clean between the trees. There little black bowls to catch the oil, al in straight line.

We arrived at  ndjone our first hotels location was excellent overlooking the river. The manager was asleep and the barman couldn’t give us permission to sleep in our vehicles and rent one room.

Hans asked Coen and Shanhaze to go and look for the other hotel. They radio and said we must come they got another hotel.

This is how we got to mamma and the red and beige hotel. The hotel was right opposite a night club. Sunday evening is their favourite evening to party, and boy did the Cambodians party. One thing you get use to any circumstances.

Mamma’s chef was away and there for we could make our owe food right in front of the hotel. Mamma was watching us from her chair parked in front of the reception. She was very interested in what these mzungus were doing.

Elisme was responsible for Supper to night. She made stewing beef and risotto rice. Mamma got her bowl of food. That brought us a lot of gratitude. When some more guests game in, she told them not to park near us and they must be quiet.  We are sleeping in our vehicles,

Monday morning our morning coffee was exceptional nice. We had it with our now favourite biscuits spitze. Hans did our moment of silent’s this morning. His message was we must lead by example, even when we are far from home. That makes you think of your behaviour.

Diesel was very cheap here 1liter is costing 470 CFA that is about R7. We used what was left of our CFA to fill up the tanks.. Hans got us 3 French loaf and with that we were on our way to Libreville. That is the Capital of Gabon.

jimmy will be our guardian Angel his mariana’s cousin. The boys need to do a lot in Libreville. It is time to get Visas for Gongo DRC and Brazzaville Gongo and starting with Anglo.

The vehicles need so service again. The roads are still taking it toll on the vehicles. Lights need attention and tyre changes. There is still some sand in the tyres.

Hans needs to go to a Dentist and Shanhaz must see a doctor. Her rush just doesn’t get better. Coen need to get new spectacles, his took a punch to.

We continue to drive through the rain forest the beauty of it is so peacefull on the soul. Words fell short to describe this, what the eye sees.

Half way to South Africa

After 3 hours drive in Gabon we rich the equator leaving the southern hemisphere .  We stopped for tea to celebrate. No as Stephanus said we go downhill. South Africa is getting closer.

The size of the trees they chop

Al towns have circles.

Jimmy phoned and said he is waiting for us. He gave us leads what we will see as we enter Libreville. The people of Gabon is really working and trying to develop their land. They work on the roads, they keep their environment clean.

We follow Jimmy to his apartment. His hospitality was over whelming. Once in a house again we realise how special it is to have a washing machine, tumble dryer, micro and a hot water shower with running water. One thing this trip really teaches us is to appreciate the small things in life.

Next time Libreville.