Day 18 - The Long Drive East to Mali
Up early to hit road. Much ground to make up from yesterday if we want to make the Mali border today.
Its disappointing not to be surfing Dakar and giving the boards away in Senegal but needs must if we are to make it to Bamako, the finish point, to donate at least one car (every finger crossed given our luck!). The scenery is stunning, dry grass scrub, sand dunes, red-brown rocky escarpments and loads of camels and donkeys. Long long drive, some shocking road sections although generally ok. We think border closes at 6pm, last dash down final stretch, just make it and in fact drive straight past only to be chased and brought back by man in a red van. Atmosphere eased by giving footballs out to kids swarming around and we are off to Mali!
Border post at first tiny village….dusk and very friendly and feels very African hot and atmospheric and all smiles. 3 more posts and we are in a dusty dark carpark in first town Nioro 60km in Mali at 9pm trying to sort various car taxes, insurance and who knows what money extractors from random people. Get driven round the bumpy dusty town, to various possible abodes….not a great choice but eventually find a very very laid back dude with food, beer and habitable rooms.
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