Into Mali

Trip Start Sep 27, 2011

124

Trip End Sep 01, 2012

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Flag of Mali Gogui, Kayes, Mali
Thursday, November 10, 2011

Now going south again and crossed into Mali at Gogui. Only took 3 hours but once again no issues - just time and formalities. You always have to be cleared by army, police, customs and sometimes a few random ones - all in different buildings 50 - 100 meters apart so it's get clearance from one person, move the truck, then get clearance from the next etc. And then walla, you are out. Then the process is repeated to get into the next country. Guess it keeps a few people employed.

To begin with the scenery was similar to Mauritania but that soon changed. More vegetation, even trees. Cropping starting to appear - maize, veges, watermelons and even cotton. Houses changed to mud brick with thatched roofs ( in compounds rather than individual with their own section), And bird life is now full on. Very colourful but think that will get better.

Lots of ponds now - didn't see any in Mauritania. Does that mean mossies!!!!!!!!! It is the end of the wet season so things are pretty green. However, I can't see that lasting as its hot hot hot. It's in the 40s during the day although cool at night.

Mali is theoretically the 4th poorest country in the world ( according to lonely planet) But I question that. It's poor but I can think of others that seem poorer. People very friendly.