Mangomatics Africa Run 09 » On-the-road

Gouina Falls

Kevin Mann — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:50:07 +0000

A late start this morning after our driver dissapeared for a while and then we searched for a cash point in Kayes.

Eventually we headed out South skirting the river in the direction of Diouma where we hoped to find Mali’s Niagara falls. In retrospect we were totally unprepared.

At first the dusty track posed very little [...]

Mali crossing

Kevin Mann — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:20:38 +0000

There are times when you really have to question karma. This turned out to be one of those days.

The drive to the border from Tambacounda had been speedy, if a little hair-raising when we came across the occasional large pot hole at 140kmh. Formalities on the Senegalese side passed jovialy and easily, so around midday [...]

Madrid surprise

Kevin Mann — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:20:20 +0000

The cheapest flights to Dakar from Casablanca turned out to involve flying back to Europe and out again.

A few hours in Madrid was not such a hardship and gave us an opportunity to take out some Euros. Flying out a day earlier than the other teams on the same boat, we left them to contact [...]

Interview with a Rabbi

Kevin Mann — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:00:21 +0000

We had heard of a very old Rabbi who could be found at the foot of the Atlas mountains.

According to the legend all other Jews in his village had moved to Israel some decades ago. He alone had remained and was now quite ancient, probably a centenarian. But he was still very sociable and welcomed [...]

Sahara dawn

Kevin Mann — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:15:15 +0000

It is not often that you see the sun rise over the desert. I wasn’t going to miss it for the world!

The night had been very windy. You quickly learn that a lot of sand and an over-zealous breeze do not make for a comfortable night. Things are not helped by the fact that you [...]

Desert Xmas

Kevin Mann — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:20:27 +0000

As Christmas morning dawned, six men awoke on the floor of their new friends’ lounge, with a healthy dose of good humour and Xmas cheer.

Our hosts had a trip planned that would make this a day to remember.

We headed out of Ouarzazate north-east towards Erfoud. A long drive through changing scenery brought us to Todra [...]

Logans’ run

Kevin Mann — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:45:16 +0000

Freed of our cars we secured two hired Logans for a dash across Morocco for a possible rendezvous with a friend of friend and a desert expedition.

The main certainty is that we did NOT want to spend Xmas is Casablanca. Three in each car we headed straight for the motorway, accumulating another speeding fine on the [...]

On the boat

Kevin Mann — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:15:53 +0000

The promised day had arrived! Our cars were due on the boat out of Casablanca to Dakar.

In true Moroccan style the day turned out to be a master class of chaos, cock-ups and palm greasing.

At first all seemed straight forward enough: the port police cleared us and a couple of other cars to head directly [...]

Moroccan runaround 2

Kevin Mann — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:05:26 +0000

Needless to say there was no point runshing back from the mountains. Grimaldi still giving us the run around.

Tomorrow apparently is the day.

A chance encouter may present another shipping option but won’t hol my breath.

Check out these related posts December 19, 2009 — Moroccan runaround December 23, 2009 — On the boat December 28, 2009 [...]

Winding roads and waterfalls

Kevin Mann — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:00:01 +0000

Refreshed, we hit the road early for something called Ouzoud falls and the sun is shining for the first time in days.

Soon the road starts winding and rising steeply into the Atlas mountains. Unfortunately we are also rejoined by the familiar smell of leaking fuel. The top of the tank appears to be to blame [...]