Here is a little gift idea for those of you who are quite crafty. I originally found this idea on Pinterest with my sister-in-law. The only problem is that no one explained how to make it! So here is the website I found to Mary’s Making, which explains in detail how to make this. Do…
DIY Scratch Map Framing
I realize this post breaks the whole slew of Congolese posts I have been putting up from this year’s motorcycle trip, but I just had to talk about this cheap method I found on framing maps. My friend Steph recently acquired a Scratch Map (by Luckies London) as a gift from her brother. And I…
Day 48: Yankusu to Yangambi to Bokusu shore
BOAT DAY 2 We left the shore early, at 7am. We saw some old Belgian maps that the captain was using to steer the boat. We also watched pirogues land on our ship. We watched the whole market frenzy as the pirogue owners started to sell their produce to passengers on the barges. We…
Day 47: Kisangani to Yankusu
BOAT DAY 1 We woke up at 5:30 am, packed and were read for the boat at 7am. The captain called to tell Emmanuel that the departure would be delayed till 8am. So we stayed at the hotel an extra hour before hitting the dock. Upon our arrival, the boat was empty, of course….
Day 46: Kisangani
Traveled: 0 km Cumulative: 3062 km This was a really bad day to do all of our shopping. All of the big shops were closed as it was Sunday. Only the market was open. You have to visit a million market stands before you can round up all of the things you need. Tom…
Day 45: Kisangani
Traveled: 0 km Cumulative: 3062 km The morning was spent trying to find a boat to Kinshasa. We were shown a tiny dirty boat with a fat captain. And that one would only leave in about a month’s time. The Beltexco VI had a beautiful cabin, but we waited for 2hrs to get a…
Day 44: Yangambi to Kisangani
Traveled: 132 km Cumulative: 3062 km We left Yangambi town at 7am fully packed and accompanied by Élias. We had to hurry with the packing because he always arrives 15 min early. We visited an old Belgian Guesthouse where visitors and researchers were lodged. This place was fully-equipped with a cinema/théâtre, pool, bar and…
Day 43: Yangambi Research Center
Traveled: 32 km Cumulative: 2930 km Raining today. We started our tour at 10am once the rain let up with Élasi, the director of the Research Center, as our guide. We visited the Center’s library. There were no computers or scanners here. Probably because the entire town is without electricity. And there are archaic…
Day 42: Kisangani to Yangambi
Traveled: 110 km Cumulative: 2898 km There was a lot of hassling now that we were traveling alone. One of our biggest problems were the roadblocks manned by the PNC and Immigration (DGM). To be honest, it was nearly impossible to know if the people at the checkpoints were truly state agents. Mainly because…
Day 41: Kisangani
Traveled: 11 km Cumulative: 2788 km We did laundry all day. It took us well over an hour as we even washed the red clay from our equipment, bike and bags. Later in the afternoon, we went for a stroll with Emmanuel on Chopo Beach, then the supermarket, then Marie-Louise’s. She had cooked delicious…
Day 40: Bafasende to Kisangani
Traveled: 272 km Cumulative: 2777 km Got one guy to drive the whole way with us for 80$, gas included. It’s quite a lot of money for a 6-hour drive. Many Congolese can’t even make that kind of money in a whole month. Anyway, his motorbike was full of plastic bubble wrap and he…
Day 39: Epulu – Nia-Nia – Bafasende
Traveled: 207 km Cumulative: 2505 km We got 2 separate taxi drivers and divided the journey in two. We left the lodge 20 minutes late due to packing and then had to wait almost 1 hour at Nia-Nia for another mototaxi guy to be ready. At least I found sardines for 400 FC (40 cents)…
Nomad Mari 