Moseying through West Africa
Girls carry water and other goods on their heads
Have you missed me? I’ve certainly missed having an internet connection. My last iffy connection was 10 days ago in Kumasi in central Ghana. We’re currently in Yamoussoukro, the capital of the Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire).
Travel has been slow. The dirt roads have been seriously eroded, while tarmac roads have been riddled with potholes and huge broken patches. Makes for a bouncy ride. I really should invest in a sports bra.
This truck avoids traffic ‘calmers’ by driving around them. We did a zigzag through them
The internet has been broken, non-existent or terribly slow.
We’ve passed through major towns, but mostly we’ve seen national parks, villages and countryside. Here’s a taste of some of our fascinating views in the Ivory Coast. Stay tuned for more.
P.S. We’re enjoying it all, except for the incredible heat. Hitting 40°C (104°F) most days.
Wood stacks and grain storage (the round thatched structure in the centre of the pic)
Where to next? 
wow, what an amazing adventure –
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It’s certainly not a usual trip.
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We could do with a few ‘calmers’ here in Australia. I believe there is sports bra shop somewhere in Yamoussoukro.
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Just you wait, Gerard. I have a pic of a bra shop in the Ivory Coast.
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There is one in Rue du Chateau d’Eau. Check it out. Glad to help out for a good friend.
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Glad to see that you’re having such a good time Peggy. It looks very dry but I guess that’s the desert for you! Interesting strategy for dodging the traffic calmers! I don’t envy you the 40 degree days! Still waiting for summer to finish now that it’s autumn and all. Take care and be safe. Best wishes to you, Poor John and your fellow adventurers
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It’s been incredibly dry, but then the trip has been planned for the dry season. Amazing to see how fast and furious the cargo trucks drive, but then they have no passengers.
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Love seeing your trip, glad you got an Internet connection for a bit.
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Thanks. Hoping to get a few posts done today and tomorrow.
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Those little girls carrying water on their heads – and I simply go to the faucet. Your travels are fascinating but I’m truly grateful for my modern life.
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I know what you mean about the water. Gosh we are blessed.
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Wow. You see a side of life many or most of us will never get a glimpse of. Thank you for sharing your trip!
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Thanks for following along.
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I’ve had caricature type visions of the cause for your need to purchase a sports bra Peggy. Apologies – hope you’re not getting black eyes from the swing! Keep safe.
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I’m sure your caricature visions are spot-on, but so far no black eyes for me. 🙂
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Yeah, you surfaced again. Glad you are enjoying your trip. Looking forward to future news. We leave for San Diego March 21, go on our family Disney Cruise to Mexico and the fly to Corpus Christi for some Texas hospitality. Quite different from your vacay!
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Oh Phyllis, so good to hear from you. Have a wonderful cruise and a great time in Texas.
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Sounds like you are having an incredible trip.
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It’s a great trip and we’re lucky to have compatible travelling companions.
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LP,
Even though this is a short post by you, it is always good to read that you are surviving the harsh climate and especially the heat! I know this might sound a little mean, but I am raising a tall COLD glass of ICED TEA, in the hope you see cooler days.
Sy S.
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I think I’ll stick to short posts until the internet is better. As for your COLD ICED TEA, last night I had a COLD BEER. Plan on having some tonight too. 🙂
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Sounds like you’re having an amazing trip Peggy. Thanks for the glimpse and the pictures. It’s such an incredibly different lifestyle you’re experiencing. Stay cool over there!
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Thanks Miriam. I think I’ll stick to glimpses until I can get decent internet.
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Fair enough!
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It does look exciting, Peggy. I am glad to hear that your absence was caused by lack of Internet, and not other reasons for us to worry about. Not sure about that 104 heat though. Would be too much for me. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am rather tired of 104°F, but glad it isn’t raining.
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Looks incredible. Love the traffic calmers, clearly the truck just drives in the “gutter” which must wreck the truck!
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Amazing how those trucks barrel along. I wouldn’t want to be a passenger in one of those rigs.
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I am so glad hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be careful and enjoy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you !!!
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Thanks so much. We’re doing great and being careful. Love you too.
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💞💞💞💞
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Uff that heat sounds brutal and those roads look brutal!! Hopefully that is all on the list of cons and there is a way longer list of pros!! love the photos, made me homesick for Africa.
Peta
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Yes, the heat and roads are brutal, but there’s just something about being homesick for Africa. I know you understand.
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Well done for persevering
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Not sure we had a choice. Hahaha!
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This is quite an experience.
Whereas most of Kenya has changed there are a few pockets that I can relate here. But insofar as telecommunication goes, we rate quite well. I suppose it is because we are the hub of UN operations in East and Central Africa, so communication systems and road networks have to be functional.
To be somewhere new will always add something to our lives, we cannot remain the same
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Great to know that Kenya’s telecommunications have improved so much. They were pretty basic 10 years ago. Always glad you stop by.
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They are way way up now and recording one of the deepest mobile telephony penetration and ration on the continent
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That’s great.
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Peggy, you guys are having a proper adventure there. The high heat is hard, but certainly worth all the wonderful sights and places you are visiting 🙂
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Oh yes, it’s all worth it.
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Quite an adventure! Many of us might enjoy ten days severed from the internet and you get the bonus of a grand exploration! I’m hoping you saw Pygmy Hippopotamuses in the wild and focused your terrific photography skills on one!
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We might see the pygmy hippopotamuses later. Fingers crossed.
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LeggyPeggy – I’m pretty sure when you mention the heat, you are right in it, no fans or air-conditioning. Hope you have some trees to sit under. But, what an experience. Even the no-internet – which several years ago was commonplace – is an adjustment. Happy and safe travels – Susan
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Yes, we are right in it with no fans and no air conditioning when we camp. Sometimes we have them when we’re in hostels or small hotels. Always appreciated then.
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That’s quite a while without reliable internet, some people struggle to survive a day let alone over a week! The roads sound quite dangerous, and puts our moaning here in the UK about British potholes into perspective. Stay safe & well – I hope you’re having a good time and managing to stay cool-ish in that heat! xx
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We’re having a great time. Luckily the dirt roads aren’t especially dangerous because we drive so slowly.
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It sounds like an awesome experience Peggy apart from the bumps and humps hope you have don’t black eyes yet…sports bra may be the way to go…Enjoy and stay safe 🙂
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Plenty of bras for sale here, but no sports bras. Guess I’ll have to keep my arms folded over my chest as a precaution. 🙂
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An amazing adventure continues and so well told. Shall I put you down as an apology for the park street party this Sunday?
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Oh darn, are we missing a street party? Have a couple of glasses of wine for me and tell everyone we’ll be bush camping for the next four nights.
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Holy cow, those calmers could wreak havoc on a car’s axles! But this is looking awesome. Sports bra aside, this sounds like a wonderful journey, inside and out. xxxxx
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Luckily you’re supposed to drive around the calmers—not over them.
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OOOOH. That’s good. 🙂
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