Eventually we are allowed to drive around in the Senegal (and hopefully to leave it without troubles as well)!!!
Went back to the customs in Dakar, again with Marks friend Ali who used to be a defender in the Equipe Nationale of Senegal for some five years back in the days. He is still known very well and got some influence, so we showed up and all was good this time; no extra papers, no customs-agent who has to come with us to the border, and no money to pay. So glad if finally happened! Other people we met at the border still can’t get their car into the country, so I guess we were kind of successful and lucky to know someone with influence who can arrange things for us.
Got an CEDEAO-Insurance for all West-Africa for the next few months, so this is done too. Got the Visa for Guinée Conakry which was the easiest thing ever. The Ambassador (called “His Excellence” by the Portier) was friendly and did it right away, within ten minutes we were out again. Got the “Laisser-Passer” for the car too, a paper for the car you need to pick up in each country. So this time we should have an easier time in Guinée as we got all the correct papers. Compared with last year when we sneaked through Bissau and Guinée with an unofficial Senegalese Laisser-Passer: Got some problems around Conakry and then at the border to Sierra Leone again, had to bribe as we knew we were not very legally in the country..
So as for now we can take it pretty easy here and get some waves and relax. Soon we’ll be inland towards Mali for some weeks, hot and dusty but still plenty of water as we will cross the river Gambia on the way, then try to find some springs and head to the river Niger. After that through the green and lush Fouta Djalon into Guinée……..
