Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Sénégal blog

[Tim Cullis]

For anyone who's interested, I'm currently in Sénégal having a couple of weeks break before heading back north again. I was supposed to be following the Dakar Rally but ended up being the only person who was waiting at the finish rostrum at Niwa Oasis, Lac Rose, so perhaps I'm the winner?

Anyway, you can read all about it starting at Rough Plans are Laid

Tim

 

[Jeremy]

Tim
I have to say your blogs are first class. It's a week since I got back from Morocco and its tough adjustment back into civilisation. Keep living the dream.

Regards
Jeremy

 

[MikeP]

Really enjoyed that Tim, it makes good reading and great photo's.

Keep it up!

 

[Devon]

Excellent write up and pictures Tim
I will look forward to following your adventure on your blog. Ride safe

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Tim,

Thanks for the memories and delighted to see you made it.

Sorry to hear about your various hassles with borders and police checks. It does seem to vary enormously. I've talked to others who have had the same problems and some who have had no virtually no hassle. I guess it depends as to whose on duty.

I was really surprised that you were asked for money on the Djama piste. Maybe he was off the day I travelled it.

I do remember one policeman in Senegal on my way out asking me for every document imaginable and desperately trying to find a problem that would attract a fine. Eventually in desperation he asked for my innoculation certificates and was really pissed off when I produced the health card duly stamped.

I see you are another sucker for the date and camel stew. Great place.

Someone once said to me that if you travel the Mauritanian road you really need to like sand

Loved the photographs.

Safe journey back

 

[davidgibson999]

brilliant blogs and photos!

 

[Number 6]

Looks like you're having a great trip Tim

A few miles further on we come across a national police roadblock. The guy waves us to the side of the road. I stop in the road and he waves me over to the hard standing, so I do as he asks. He then announces that I have incurred an infraction by not signalling as I moved over.

They tried the exact same scam on me last year

Andy.

 

[Captain GSA]

Looks like you're having a great trip Tim



They tried the exact same scam on me last year

Andy.

They did exactly that to me...we were three and they insisted we paid 90Euros each. We said F'off. Then they said 40Euros. After we sat on the roadside for 30 mins, reading...they let us go without paying a dime...

 

[Tim Cullis]

I went through the roadblock again later by myself and still haven't paid anything. At Lac Rose I met up with four Dutch guys that I'd spoken to before in Saint-Louis and they paid €50 each at this roadblock. It annoys me that people are either so stupid or afraid. The more people pay the more they will try it on.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Completely agree though, given the level of wages and poverty, I have a modicum of sympathy which is more than I do with the constant legal ripping off in this country by.... well, you name it

I wonder if you have less hassle on your own?

Found that the the simplest solution when some official was being particularly persistent was to switch off the engine and look off into the far distant. Taking out a book and reading might be another alternative

Keep the news coming

 

[Number 6]

Tim, are you aware that you cannot get a Mauritanian entry visa at Diama? You can either get one in Dakar or at the infamous Rosso I fell foul of this but managed to wangle my way back into Senegal. There was a French guy there at the same time who had to leave his car in no-mans land at Diama. They wouldn't let him or the car into Mauritania and wouldn't let the car back into Senegal. He had to re-enter Senegal on foot and take a taxi from Diama to Rosso, (100 miles?) get the visa, (involving crossing the river twice) and return by taxi to his car!

Rosso is an absolute hell-hole so good luck

 

[Daithi]

You could rename your blog, "Pass a whole day staring at a screen with a smile on yer face."

Really excellent write-up. Thanks.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Thanks Andy, that was something you mentioned on the phone before I left. I have the address of the Mauri Consultate in Dakar (Rue 37, Kolobane) but so far I have been so dismayed by the Dakar gridlocks that I haven't gone further into the city than Yoff airport.

At the moment I'm thinking of doing Rosso solo.

 

[Number 6]

At the moment I'm thinking of doing Rosso solo.

Everybody should do it at least once

 

[araspitfire]

What a lovely way to loose 2 hours... thanks for writing it... Bookmarked for further checking...

Al...

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Thanks Andy, that was something you mentioned on the phone before I left. I have the address of the Mauri Consultate in Dakar (Rue 37, Kolobane) but so far I have been so dismayed by the Dakar gridlocks that I haven't gone further into the city than Yoff airport.

At the moment I'm thinking of doing Rosso solo.

Know how you feel. Took me three hours to get to the outskirts and having been told by some Austrian riders and a TV researcher at Zebrabar that unless you had a particular reason Dakar was not worth it, I took the statutory photos and left for Thies.

On balance though it might be less hassle to brave Dakar that Rosso but if you do have to take the Rosso route harden your heart!!!! Oh, and ask to see the ID of anybody you are dealing with even if they appear to have a uniform. Good luck

Apologies too. I completely forgot to say that, helped by the recommendation of the Mori officials in Casablanca, I got two visas to save a later hassle.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Any recent news of Tim?

 

[Tim Cullis]

I've been without net access for a while, so the blog got behind. Returning via Rosso was an experience, as was running though Mauritania for 50 miles after the fuel range indicated zero! But such is the solidarity of the long distance traveller that within 10 minutes I was given 5 litres of fuel. Try that in the UK!

Am now at Bikershome in Ouarzazate hoping the Tichka will be clear of snow for tomorrow.

Tim

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Good to hear from you again.