Not all roads in West Africa are bumpy
Laundry day at the Comoé River
Ferry arrives to collect us
Soon after leaving Comoé National Park in the northeast part of the Ivory Coast, we came upon an unexpected speed bump in the road. Actually not a real speed bump, but a river crossing—by ferry.
It hadn’t shown up on the GPS, but there it was in front of us. And the place was busy.
When we arrived, the ferry was on the other side of the river, and both sides were filled with women doing laundry. They were gathering water from the river and washing in large tubs. Clean clothes were draped over bushes or on the ground to dry. One family was heading home—three on the motorcycle and the finished laundry on her head.
Coming to the river to do laundry
Within a few minutes, the ferry was being hand cranked over to pick us up. Once the truck was on board, all the passengers loaded. It took four fellows to lever the ferry on its way. Several others cranked us over to the other side.
No fee was posted but I think Adam and Jason, our drivers and guides, paid about 5000 CWA (or about A$12.50).
P.S. We’re heading west a little later this morning and will spend four days bush camping. I love your comments, but don’t expect me to reply for quite a few days.
Cooking
In the meantime, feel free to check out my cooking blog. Here’s a recipe for scrambled eggs with onion that we made for breakfast the other day when we were the cook group.
All aboard
Where to next? 
It certainly looks adventurous. What a treasure chest for future memories. Scrambled eggs and onions for breakfast! On the open fire or does your bus carry a camping stove?
It must be such a great trip.
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We’re using gas bottles, which makes it a darn sight easier than our first African trip when we cooked on wood.
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Kisses!!!!!!!!!!! Have fun anywhere you go!!!!
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Thanks so much. Heading to Liberia today. Kisses back to you.
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Actually, I deliberately haven’t commented so you don’t have to waste your holiday feeling obligated to reply 😀
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Thanks. Keep up the not commenting for now. 🙂
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Splendid photographs, especially the third
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Can’t believe she walked down that sleep hill with such grace.
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She did, indeed
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i love following your adventure
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Appreciate your company.
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I’m sure the ladies would appreciate a washing machine and drier. But the thought also crossed my mind of all the corporations around the world advertising their products to achieve bright colors in your laundry, products these ladies probably have never heard about.
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So true. Clotheslines are hard to come by too. Will do a post on that soon. Just need to have better internet.
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That is a surprisingly solid ferry to carry your truck. I’m impressed with the apparent cleanliness of the water, as the clothes appear to be quite clean.
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Amazes me how the laundry gets so spotless.
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Such effort and strength required to manoeuvre and manage the journey, we don’t know how lucky we are sometimes with transport. Have fun with the bush camping, and be safe.xx
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Ah yes, a challenge to manage the travel. We got stuck in mud the other day and had to be towed out by a bulldozer.
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Interesting Ferry pics.
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Thanks so much.
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I’m astonished by the photo of the woman standing in a boat with a huge bowl on her head, pouring water into the bowl with a large pitcher. She has incredible strength and skill, but most of the world would consider her uneducated and unskilled. Remarkable how basic life is in other parts of the world. We are so very privileged.
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Oh Sharon, you are so right. If only more people realised how privilege they are. By the way, I’m delighted you noticed how skilled she was. That’s exactly why I posted that pic.
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Great to feel ‘up close and personal’ with your ferry trip, Peggy. And I won’t be complaining about having to unload the washing machine again! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’d give a lot for a washing machine today. Too much mud around. 🙂
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Looks amazing. I love the family on the motorbike with washing on the mother’s head!
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Trying to get a pic of four on a motorbike, plus laundry and other stuff. The other day I saw two guys carrying four cases of beer, but they declined to let me take a photo.
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Fun photos of laundry day! Makes one so grateful for our modern conveniences. Question, is there any significance to the country flags and names on the side of your truck?
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Those are the countries included in the trip.
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I suspected as much later on.
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LeggyPeggy – amazing they were able to fit that humungous contraption on the launch, and that it made it to the other side. Happy and safe travels – Susan
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Thanks. I was amazed too, but they were nonchalant about it.
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Very interesting photography. You are having such a fantastic adventure 😄
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Having a great time, but too much rain lately.
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Sounds like you are just about to Liberia, Peggy. I watched plenty of laundry being washed in the lake next to our home, arriving and leaving by head load. –Curt
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Liberia later today. Travelling across the border at Bossou, Guinea.
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If you make it to Gbarnga, you are in the town where I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. At the time in 1965-67, it was a town of about 5,000 people. –Curt
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We’ve been through Gbarnga. Much, much bigger now.
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That is some feat, the scene could well be in north west Australia, well if I squint a bit. Looks like you’re having a great time.
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Yes, we’re having a great time.
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Glad to hear it 🙂
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I have just thrown a load of laundry into the washing machine. How lucky we are.
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Very lucky indeed.
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Africa is mysterious and fascinating but as you relate your experiences of the trip, you make it subjugating. The photos are a beauty. It’s nice to read and enjoy your trip.
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I appreciate you following along.
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BTW, It seems that the Ferry/Small Barge with the truck has cables from one side to the other… which is good if there is a fast moving current in the river (rain storm) or wind. I always think of Africa as hot dry and deserts in many areas, so some rain during your travels would be welcome (less getting stuck in mud).
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The ferry crossing was really safe, but the current was slowish. Most everywhere we’ve been has had lots of jungle and rainforest. No desert yet.
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I’m so enjoying these snippets of your trip. Brings back so many memories for me. We had a similar ferry crossing. It seems nothing much has changed in since 1980!
Alison
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Hard to believe that not much has changed in almost 40 years.
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Quite the busy hub! I can’t imagine trying to hold laundry while riding a motorcycle–I can barely WALK with that big ol’ basket. 🙂
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I know what you mean, Jean. Laundry and motorcycles don’t seem to mix. 🙂
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