One of the worst - PHOTOS

Dear friends and family.

After our mi_istry in Cameroon its time to travel again. But this was the roughest and toughest this year till now but also personally the most enjoyable, well parts of it.

If the terms 4wd and mud gets your adrenalin going then this is for you. After our time in Yaounde it was time to head for Nigeria. We stopped over in Bafousam for two nights. Had the opportunity to shortly speak to all the church leaders from the western province at a conference, and also had a long time slot for an interview at a local radio station.

From Bafousam we traveled via Bamenda to Mamfe. Our goal was Ikom but our mini bus propshaft broke off. So with a 4 hour delay and a bad dirt road we only managed to Mamfe.

We left before sun rise and arrived after sun set for a distance under 200km (124 miles) just to give some perspective.

Arriving in Mamfe we had an encounter with a drunk man who made a big noise over our security and our taxi driver then took us to a military base where they demanded our passports without giving a reason. The drunk man was there to and there was a big shouting match between our driver his local brother and a few soldiers. Long story short, the drunk man was a big chief off duty causing us lots of problem at night. After a long row they ended up finding a cheap hotel for us to stay.

As is works in Africa, everyone can organize anything, so our drivers brother organized a vehicle to pick us(thats how they speak here) the following day to take us to the Cameroon/ Nigeria border village Ekok.

When the 4wd double cab Hilux arrived we had to laugh(will send photo in different email).

Some of you I sent a link of a video clip of 4 Land Cruisers passing through Cameroon about 7 month ago - we traveled that road.

+-80km took us approximately 7 hours. It was great fun, serious mud and deep holes. This is the major road between Lagos Nigeria and Yaounde Cameroon, scary. And one of the worst official roads in Africa.

Arriving in Ikok safely the hassle of money exchange and border crossing started again, taxi's where arrange to take us into Nigeria through to Ikom.

Entering Nigeria the one Border official was not satisfied with our multiple entry visa. He only wanted to give us 7 days but we needed 10. There was one sensible helpful man who convinced him to give us the required 10 days. Through that we headed of to Ikom to catch the next ride to Abakaliki. 1^st post border check was successful, the 2^nd one went way wrong. While the official was busy checking the passports HP and myself went into the village to exchange money(we where not happy with the rate at the border). On returning Willem told us to apologise to the official because we left without his permission and without our passports. Suddenly trouble started, someone wanted a bribe of course and randomly a civilian dressed senior official also was on the scene. They insisted that HP and myself be sent back to entry border with a entrance denied letter, having to go back to Cameroon to apply for a new visa. Stress! After a long word exchange and apology the 1^st official said, 'just give me 10 Us dollar', When Willem refused he eventually lowered it to 5 Nira, divide that by 18 to get to Rands. When he realized he is getting nothing he eventually let us go. Very late afternoon we eventually headed of to Abakaliki. Our destination in mind was Onitsha. Arriving in Abakaliki we where forced to stay there because the drivers where not to keen to take us to Onitsha at night due to many road armed robberies. Our helpful driver took us to a cheap hotel for a fee of course and picked us up the following morning to take us to the bus park(taxi rank).The following day we traveled to Onitsha. Were welcomed by Imanuel a Nigerian man who we meet in Bakino Faso more then 2 month ago. Spent a night a his home, was a great blessing. The following day he accompanied us to Lagos.

We are currently at a South African couple who welcomed us warmly, we had a braai the first evening and we are spoiled rotten. Another awesome blessing. A time to catch up and process the events of the last few months. The 3^rd time since Morocco that our clothe can be washed in a washing machine. A house where the lounge is about the same size as the whole house we stayed in Cameroon. Thank you. Thank G_d!!!!

Till Next time

Detlef