So a quick update on Day 1 of tropical storms:
Heavens opened about 7 pm and huge gust and walls of water, came into my thatched hut by the door and through the roof. No where to shelter the bike so
After a heart stopping moment when the bike refused to start, and I pushed it up a slope in preparation for a jump start, it started on the button. Hurrah
I had various overnight messages from contacts as I was concerned how I was going to leave Cameroon as I had no passavant, usually a vital document in Africa. I spoke to a police biker contact Amadou who gave some advice and then in the morning I received details of another conu, this time in the gendarmerie, who could be of help.
But after much reflection i decided just to wing it at the border. In fact neither the police control point at Ambam nor the Cameroon border officials (who were plentiful) even asked for it so I parted myself on the back!). Like Drumacoon Lad, I believe these are busy people with important work to do and I don't want to trouble then with too much information or bother!
So over the bridge I go to Gabon. I am the only traveller and it's a contrast to the bridge I crossed into Cameroon from Nigeria in February, where there were armed special forces in armoured vehicles and the tension was palpable, since the border had been closed all morning during military action against insurrectionists.
On the other side is the renowned edMr Grumpy (flagged in HUBB forum) who, even if you have a visa, insists on seeing a Gabonese hotel booking and telephoning the hotel to confirm it. He has been know to refuse entry to people who have cancelled their booking.com reservations once they got the visa, with dire consequences.
So I was very pleased I got through in 10 minutes even though he couldn't get my hotel to answer! (I have cancelled the booking now
).
There was still the usual faffing round seeing police, gendarmerie and Douane then being sent to a nearby town, Bitam, to do the same thing again.
But the lady who did my passport pulled out a banana and offered me it (she had another) which was great as I was starving! She was equally delighted by the postcard of London sights I gave her.
I had got through in such good time that I got to Oyem by 2 and so decided to go a further 120 kms to Mitzic. Foolishly (but I have now learnt) I ignored the gathering storm clouds
And soon the heavens opened and games blew, accompanied by thunder and lightning. At one point I stopped at a roadside shelter to eat my lunchtime bun (saved from breakfast) and out on my waterproof jacket. I joined this cheery crew and we had a great laugh
The laughter was because I had just told them I was happily married and they weren't to get any ideas! I think they were tickled by my presumptuousness
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