13-10-2011 Land Rover getting on the road, Swiss meet up with us.

10-11-2011 LIBREVILLE  - WAITING FOR LAND ROVER PARTS.
10 October 2011 Monday Morning
Hans and Marjolein left early to the DHL offices at the airport to fetch the parcel with the parts for the LAND ROVERS CLUTCH. Hans was very excited to get it so that they can take it to the Garage, to fix the vehicle.
The traffic was horrendous! Hans got out at a point and walked to the Garage. Marjolein came  
30 min later after conquering the traffic and finding parking.
The mechanic was very excited to open the parts parcel, he took one look and asked where the end ball bearing was. He was French; Hans could not understand what he was asking. His boss made a drawing with all the parts and part numbers. Hans realised that something is wrong. He took Hans to the Land Rover, which was now all apart; engine gear box and what more laying all over the place. This was heart breaking for Hans, but this was the way to go if the LAND ROVER PUMA’S CLUTCH had to be repaired. Hans saw it was the ball bearing he was referring to.
Hans broke out in cold sweat; he knew there was no way that the Land Rover was going to get fixed. The ball bearing, once again, must go through the same process, order from South African DHL and wait a week.
So here we are, stranded in LIBREVILLE. Hans and Elisme realised there was no way they can stay with Willem and Marjolein any longer. They must ask them to drop them at a Missionary to wait for the Land Rover to be fixed.
The Swiss, Rodger and Nadine texted that they are in Yoande, they have applied for their Gabon visas and will ONLY have them on Wednesday afternoon. Then they will apply for the Congo, that is a same day service, what they heard. So Friday they will leave for Libreville.
Elisme can’t understand why this is all happening, but being a Christian she knows and believes that GOD has a plan? We’ll wait and see.
Hans and Elisme had a round table with Willem and Marjolein, asking them to take them to a Missionary. They refused and said that they should stay with them until the Land Rover is sorted out and we can leave. They are such good hearted people. Nothing is too much for them. They never let us feel un-welcome and go the extra miles for us.
Willem took the drawing to the Garage and then the man admitted it was his mistake. What he doesn’t understand is that his mistake is costing us dearly.
Marjolein had a bad traffic day in Libreville today, she only went to the airport, Land Rover Garage and late afternoon to Camp De Gaulle and then to the vet with Isa. She spent 5 hours on the road. This is just an example of how much patience you need in this TRAFFIC.
Hans on his part, made contact with Joggle from CROSS COUNTRY in Johannesburg, South Africa. He said that he will get the part, by Tuesday 11 October; Hans must let him know where to send it to.  Hans remembered that Leon from Shell said that Jaco must come and replace him.  Hans made contact with Jaco coming from MOSSELBAAI in SA.  He flies to Johannesburg Tuesday and Wednesday to Gabon Libreville. He is willing to bring the part as long as they deliver the part to him in Johannesburg. Once again Louis was the one to do the rest of the contact and payment. This is now costing a pretty penny.
Sometimes in life you have to pay for other peoples mistakes and you don’t know why. 
Elisme prepared the Dinner for them - cottage pie and coleslaw with a bottle of wine. The day’s trouble was long forgotten.
The Gabon rain came down in buckets during the night. This time Hans and Elisme had no worries, they were safe in a house.
Coen, Shanhaz, Stephanus and Mariana are moving on. We received an email from them telling us all the news.
11 October 2011 Tuesday early morning
Marjolein and Elisme took Isa for a walk at Camp De Gaulle. This time it was a slipping and sliding walk, after all the rains last night. Isa is a very obedient dog, but this morning she just couldn’t resist the temptation of going after a CAT FISH in one of the little streams. Marjolein was giving her best to get her away, but she was having a “BALL” with this fish. The fish was clever and after a few summersaults, it just dove deep in the water and hid in the mud. Isa gave a last try, put her head deep in the water, but she is not a fish and couldn’t stay there for too long. She gave it up for a bad job and then returned to Marjolein, satisfied with her ball.
Next were the hundreds of Tick Birds.  Marjolein told her she was free to go and play with them. They just enjoyed this game, she chased them, they flew up and then 10 meters further they just sat and waited for Isa. 

After an exhausting morning Isa needed a bath. Marjolein and Gaya did a nice job. Isa was delighted with the hosepipe (tried to bite the water). She is now so relaxed, sleeping peacefully with her clean body.
Louis reported back that he made contact with Joggie and that everything is under control. Louis we are so grateful for all your logistics in South Africa for this “DREAM OF OURS”. Just know we really appreciate all your effort.
Tuesday morning it was still raining Hans was now getting worried about the road conditions in the two Congo’s. Coen reported that the roads were poor and with the first rains it will turn into muddy mess. Coen phoned to say they had big problems at the DRC border; they didn’t want to accept the visas which were issued in Libreville. They insist the visas must be issued in your home country. I ask you now, how on earth must you do this? We came from Morocco, left SA 20 May 2011. They expect you to fly back to SA, get your Visa and then fly back. Just think of the expenses. Hans went to the Congolese Embassy this morning to try and get a transit visa. Maybe that will work. He will also put the problem to them, may be they can help; else he’ll have to get the SA Embassy to help.
The Swedish guys are trying to get their Passport back today and then do the Congo. Hopefully they will be on their way tomorrow.
Stephanus, Mariana, Coen and Shanhaz will try and cross the Angola border today. They will report back on how that went.
Marjolein has a birthday party this morning and tonight they have a writers’ club here in Libreville. All the Girls will come tonight and read the story they wrote. The topic doesn’t matter, Marjolein wrote a letter to the President of what she is experiencing in Gabon. Elisme will make fillings for wraps for the Girls.
Hans and Willem will go to the airport to meet with Jaco. Hans phoned him, he has the parcel from Joggie. Hopefully this is now all the parts.


The table
was laid for the girls, everything ready. They arrived at 7h30pm and all were
so enthusiastic about the evening. As all girl parties they chatter and chat
everyone wants to tell their story. Rekha come back from here Children this
afternoon and there was a lot to catch up from here in Gabon and also what she
has experienced.


The members
present to night is Andrea, Debbie, Marleina, Olivia, Rekha and Marjolein.
Marjolein
decided on a wrap evening. 
Elisme
prepared a lovely spread for the Girls. As Shanhaz will say “just tug in and
enjoy” I can promise they did.
Debbie had
to be home at 10pm. She is teaching here at the American School. She started
with her story, she was very positive about, how privilege she is in life. This
was an excellent lesson, just to think when you feel negative about things,
look at what ONE has.
Olivia was
next and gave her experience with the LIBREVILLE POLICE, she is there
The table
was laid for the girls, everything ready. They arrived at 7h30pm and all were
so enthusiastic about the evening. As all girl parties they chatter and chat
everyone wants to tell their story. Rekha come back from here Children this
afternoon and there was a lot to catch up from here in Gabon and also what she
has experienced.
The members
present to night is Andrea, Debbie, Marleina, Olivia, Rekha and Marjolein.
Marjolein
decided on a wrap evening. 
Elisme
prepared a lovely spread for the Girls. As Shanhaz will say “just tug in and
enjoy” I can promise they did.
Debbie had
to be home at 10pm. She is teaching here at the American School. She started
with her story, she was very positive about, how privilege she is in life. This
was an excellent lesson, just to think when you feel negative about things,
look at what ONE has.
Olivia was
next and gave her experience with the LIBREVILLE POLICE, she is their favourite
to stop and ask her papers. They make a habit off it to drive off the head
quarters with her papers; she has no choice but to follow them. The problem is
if you’re a working girl and in a hurry to do your job, this is no fun. If
you’re prepared to pay them some money, they’ll let you go. You never get a
receipt for the amount you pay. So when really frustrated you pay
.
Marjolein
wrote a letter to the President that was so good. Telling him what normal
GABONIESE people has to live with very day. She ask him just be a normal
citizen for one day.
Andrea was
grateful for al the first things in her life. She really appreciates life and
smell the roses every day.
Rekha just
back from a holiday was telling her wonderful time with her father and
children.
Marleina is
busy telling her live story; she had a very interesting and full life up to
know.
Hans and
Willem went to the airport to fetch the part for the landy which is coming with
Jaco.
Thursday
Hans left early with a taxi to take the part to the Land Rover Garage. That was
another story to tell, he got a taxi at 7 o’clock and arrived at the land Rover
garage  9 o’clock, he says the taxi
driver went to Ndjole and then to Lambarene and then came back, or this is
what it felt like. At a time he was really scare they were right in the back
streets, but he got there safe.
They promise
to start on the Land Rover immediately and we hope to have it Friday
afternoon.  The taxi back was an old man
and very reliable, he even stopped at the ATM for Hans to draw money.
Lizelle come
for Supper and Elisme prepared a Chicken with rice and a mixed salad. Marjolein
came with Brazilian chocolates, which were to die for. After a nice cup of tea
Marjolein and Elisme took her back. She is really a very interesting person who
has been all over the world, nice to listen to what she has to tell., 
Friday
morning Marjolein and Elisme took Isa for her regular walk, this time Coreen
the French Lady next door joined us. She has a beautiful snow white Sheppard,
mix with Canadian Wolfs. I have never seen such a beautiful dog. Coreen tried
to speak English and the 3 of us had a lovely time. Elisme thinks if she had to
stay here in Gabon for a year, she will be able to speak French, here very few
people can speak English.
Willem
phoned at 12 o’clock to say the Land Rover is ready, we can fetch it. Marjolein
took us.
Hans and
elisme were very excited to get the car. After all the feedback and paying a
little fortune, we took the Land Rover. After Hans first change of gears he
said” this car is not right” he drove around the block with all lanes bumper to
bumper  with cars at an open up hill
stand he turn the Land Rover in, testing the Low gears and the diff lock. He
send Elisme to call Rifia the Land Rover Garage mechanic .  he came and Hans showed him no lights  are going on the dashboard to say its in diff
lock.
The Land
Rover had to go back to the Garage, the rule here is you are not allowed to see
what they are doing in the work shop. So Hans and Elisme went for a cool drink
at the Restuarant across the street. Hans phoned Wimpy in Nelspruit at Land
rover who always works on the Landy. he explained what was going on. Wimpy had
just more bad news, he says if the clutch is put in right and the gears are
still hard to change, then the Denpen is out. This is a very technical job and
these guys here needs special tools to do it, he is sure they will not be able
to do it.
Hans and
Elisme were now totally in Jam Street. The only way is to ship the car and fly
back to SA. We have never prayed so hard to GOD to help. After the cool drink
we went over to Land Rover, they called Hans. He went in the workshop, there
was another Defender Puma, he told Rifia to feel this cars gears. Then he
understood what Hans was saying. They worked for another hour on the Land
Rover; Hans went to test the gears. He came back with a big smile he said they
were now 100% but still no light on the dashboard. Rifia fond that the sensor
was not working, they changed it and all was then working. After another 50$
just for the sensor, we left.
Hans went on
a highway to test the gears everything was working perfect.
Marjolein is
flying to SA tonight, Elisme made a true Italian Lasagne with a salad. They all
enjoyed it with a bottle of SA wine. Elisme gave Marjolein a PLASTIC KETTLE and
a MOROCIAN SCARF, we all had a good laugh. The plastic kettle is used for
everything here in West Africa. Yesterday afternoon there was no water and
Marjolein could not shower, Elisme had a plastic kettle i her bathroom, so she
could shower. This is then that Elisme told Marjolein “never be without a
plastic kettle in West Africa” now she has her plastic kettle and will always
think of Elisme.
Tomorrow
Hans and Elisme will be on their way to the Congo and may be meet up with the
Swiss Rodger and Nadin. 
Next time
the Congo. 





 io the Congo and may be meet up with the
Swedish Rodger and Nadin.
Next time
the Congo.