Benin - Grand Popo -Porto Novo- Le centre Songhai -Border Nigerie

Coen and Shanhaz checking in at Grand Popo

12-09-2011 Benin Grand Popo – Porto Novo -Le centre Songhai-to Border Nigerie

Colonial style house at Grand Bay

Grand Popo was a nice rest. Sunday morning we woke up with the crystal clear ringing of CHURCH BELLS. We felt at home in Belfast you hear church bells every Sunday. We didn’t know where the church was but we could hear those singing hymns. Our own moment of praise felt so special today.

The "ERGELDVRETERS"  enjoying the Sunday lunch treat.

The rest of the day was our normal sorting out, doing washing. We walked in the moonlight alongside the beach it was low tide and we could walk easy on the wet sand.

Piet from Dakar gave us a leg of lamb. Elisme said she will make it if ever we stand over a Sunday. Today was the day, for a real South African Sunday lunch.

Piets gift Leg of Lamb with all the side dishes

Leg of lamb pot roasted on the fire in the black pot with potato’s. Our vegetables were beans with mushrooms and lentils, yellow rice with raisons, pineapple with almonds and dates. Pudding fruit salad with layers of biscuits soaked in brandy and Amarula. Everybody was really appreciating the meal and going back on memory lane to the loved once in South Africa.

Coen getting his NEW LOOK.

Mariana the Henna expert.

Coen needed a haircut and seeing that Elisme is the Hairdresser for cutting and Mariana for Henna, she was on duty. Shanhaz explain that it must be very short. Coen looks years younger with his “peonskop”  Coen had to work on the Land Cruisers Air helpers. He was not satisfied with the work the Bush Mechanics did. Early morning after a nice breakfast Shanhaz made, he got going. 2 hours later he was satisfied with his own hand work. He had the change to check all the work done before. He is sure the Land Cruisers will now have a safe journey.

Two girl busy with Elisme and her NEW LOOK 

Elisme was in for a Henna treatment. Mariana by now was the expert. Elisme booked for 10 stingers of plaits with beads. With shinning hair after the henna, she was brave enough to visit the local, you couldn’t “hairdresser” Mariana come to check, she was impressed with the ability of the girl. She plaited at a speed you couldn’t believe and so neat. Then follow the beads and then the burning of each string of hair. That scared Elisme, but it was only the stings that were combined with her own hair. Beads and strings Elisme went off with her new AFRICA LOOK. Believe it or not Hans like it.

This family has their whole house on the "BAKKIE'

Monday morning 12 September we left for the border Nigerie. We went a sms to oliver our new German friend. Thanking him for all his advice. He phoned back and said we must meet him at his house. He will get a Nigerian guy to come and see us to help with the road.

He said we must phone him at Ouidaha, and then he will meet us. He is driving a dark blue Toyota and he will switch on his lights. We must stop and wait for him. All said and done he found us.

Cotonou is the Capital of Benin and this is where Olivers house is. His father from Germany is visiting he is a very nice person. Severed us ice cold water and juice, he even offered us some beer. The boys said it was a bit early for beer, but thank you.

Oliver has 2 stunning beautiful daughter, they served us snacks. The whole family really tried to make us at home.

Olivers Nigerian friend arrived. His name Emmaneul, he got his own map and explained to the boys the do”s and don’ts of Nigeria.

We need to get Nigerian money { Niara} Emmaneul and Oliver said there is no way to get it at the border. Oliver offer to take us to the market and change it for us. ATM’s was available in Cotonou, so we could draw money for diesel. The diesel in Nigeria is not advisable to put in your vehicle, there for we must fill up with FCFA.

Emmaneul said we must not pass the border late; we will not reach our next sleep over. Hans realise it is too late to cross the border. He read about Le Centre Songhai. This is a farm where they use everything and make all the products of the land. They also offer accommodation at a reasonable price.

Mariana was running a high temperature and was not feeling well at al. Oliver said we can take her for a Malaria test, but if it is negative, she must in any case star using Coartem. Out of Hans experience, Mariana decided she will take the Coartem.  We got to the Guest house and soon Mariana was in bed. Stephanus was looking after her. She had a Marmite bread and then took her first dosage of Coartem. She went off to sleep and Stephanus was with her.

The rest of us went to Syber Cafe and Coen and Shanhaz were inspecting the farm they are very impressed they way with project is operated.

Mariana is feeling a little better. Avo and tomato sandwiches with leg of lamb and cup of soup was on the menu. Elisme said to Stephanus to call her if Maraina gets worse. She is now qualified after Hans and his ordeal.

Tuesday morning Stephanus woke us up at 6 o’clock. We have a long way to go and 2 border crossings. Benin at Pobe and then in Nigeria. Mariana was feeling better today she still runs a temperature. She was taking her Coartem, and getting better.

We reach the Benin border Post, just before there was a fake border post with a nail barrier to stop us. Coen got out; we could see he was getting agitated. Hans then join him, with his cell phone, telling the {so called officer} his phoning the commissioner. The Guy started panicking and decided we can go. Opened up and waved us goodbye.

The real border crossing was quick and no problem. Then we entered Nigeria immigration at Obelle. The officer wanted to see everybody, he was very pleasant, checking al our Visas and then gave us forms to fill in. He had to rewrite everything in his document book. That took quite a time, but eventually we got a stamp.

Duane to import the vehicles was another mission. They wanted to inspected everything, with the whole staff comes and witness, I thought. As Hans opened the groceries one lady was grabbing al the Nescafe 3 in one packet. Hans stayed calm and said she must give it back he’ll give her ONE. ELISME GOT THE IDEA THE INSPECTION WAS TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN GET.

Yellow cards this is a separate office, with a very important Officer. She checked everything, gave it back to Coen. After a while she decided we must al come and fill in forms. Hans filled Elisme’s, she sent him to call Elisme and do her own Form.

Eventually after 2 hours the carne de passage was stamped en we were on our way.

Next time Nigeria.