I’ve done a fair amount of hardcore travel in my time, but nothing could have prepared me for the journey for Bissau (Guinea Bissau) to Labe (Guinea).
Firstly, there was the simple journey from Bissau to Gabu in the north, a smooth four hour journey. There we waited for our transport to fill up for Labe. A few hours past… a few more. Still not full. The heat was unbearable and we had little choice but to wait around the station. We waited, and waited and waited. I couldn’t understand how a seven seater mini-van took so long to fill up. Turns out – it took 22 hours for the fucking thing to fill. We bought our tickets at 1 pm on Monday, and didn’t leave until 11am Tuesday! But that was the good part…
It turned out the wait was merited. There was 21 of us! 16 adults and 5 kids, all crammed into the mini van like sardines. It was the most uncomfortable thing you can imagine. Unfortunately for me, the most heavy set African mama choose her seat right next to me. At the same time I was glad to be leaving… but the fun was only just beginning!
The road got worse the instant we left the station. There was so much pot holes, the 40 km trip to border took 6 hours! Then, in eye shot of the river that separated us from Guinea, we broke down. After a hour and half of baking in the sun, the repairs were made. The next bit is the best….
The border (notice ferry)
There was no bridge, only a basic car ferry. The men of our group had to get into a wooden pirogue (a hallowed out tree) and cross the river. Then, we had to physically pull the car ferry 150 meters to the other side! A large metal chain was used, with us laboriously heaving it with all our might. Only to do the same again (this time with the actual van on it!) to reach the other side. It was extremely arduous and we got back on our vehicle caked in dirt and sweat. FUN FUN FUN!
Across the river, we had to deal with a corrupt Guinean immigration officer, trying to extort a $20 bribe from us, the only blancos he’d obviously seen in awhile. I was tough in my position and didn’t give him a penny.
On the Guinean side, the roads became nothing more than lumpy dirt tracks. The route was barely functioning and very dangerous. We passed several broken down and over turned vehicles. It was hell. Our vehicle was so packed I couldn’t even find a place to put my feet flat on the ground. As for the fat mama beside me, her left cheek alone cut of the circulation to the right side of my body. It actually became more comfortable to seat on top of two stacked lonely planet books!
Apart from the screaming shitting babies, the smell of sweat was unbearable. To top it off, a young girl decided to vomit all over us from motion sickness. I started to go crazy. The constant bumping and heaving made sleep impossible. We traveled like this for 11 hours Then guess what? ANOTHER manual ferry crossing. Then ANOTHER 7 hours on the unforgiving terrain. It just went on and on and on….AHH!!!
The whole 44 hour trip was a fucking nightmare. Not recommended.
We got to our hotel in Labe at 7AM this morning, caked in mud, sweat and vomit. The first thing we did was order a beer…
That’s why you will go down in history as the greatest lady’s man ever Naughty Nomad.
Because you will do literally anything to find some exotic tail. Your best post yet!
You gotta be careful traveling in confined spaces like that in Africa dude, you can easily catch TB or a whole range of other nasties! Just stop being such a tight-arse and pay the USD 50 it would cost to rent a car and a driver to make the trip solo with you!
holly shit man …. with all due respect , I started laughting, not because it is funny but because it is funny anyway . I have a roughly idea of what you passed on … After the storm, comes the quiet and calm waters … so let us know what are yours “not worse that can be” next braveries…. remark: make a big smoke to kick off the bugs and flies ….
Sounds fun! But ’tis now a memory and with a few DHVs and a couple of retellings will surely become a yarn of epic proportions.
Great post.
jesus. fair play man. must skype you at some stage. facebook me 🙂
omfg! I felt claustrophobic just reading about 😛
I’m going to Bissau and Conakry next year. Looks like I should fly.
Hope you’ll give us a report on Bissau.
Be safe.
Sounds F’n amazing. Once you get settled how about some pictures. A picture is worth 1000 words! If there are limitations to loading to the blog, just send them to my Email. Thanks!
Dude, i thought i had some hell rides in Myanmar and Sumatra(indonesia).
Grtz Neil
Holy crap dude, this is nuts!
WOW!
I was based in Lome, Togo for about 6 months. It was quite shitty. Luckily, I am flying all the time, and don’t have to travel in those conditions except for very short trips.
You are THE MAN!!!
cliff
DXB