Luxury 1st class travel

Trip Start Jul 13, 2010

Trip End Jul 26, 2011

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On the ferry

Flag of Mali Bamako, Mali
Tuesday, August 10, 2010

So we got to the ferry port and unbelievably the boat only set off 2 hours late. The cabin was ridiculously basic for the money and the ferry was so old I worried for its sea worthyness. Like alot of things in W.Africa I get the feeling that once these ferries finally bite the dust (vey soon) they will never be replaced. Its quite sad seeing things get ever more decrepid and makes things feel quite special, because in the future the trip on the river might not be possible.

I awoke from a semi slunber on the boat and poked my head out the widow, very pretty indeed. Back to bed and 5hours later I looked again, the same very pretty view. The ferry was stuck. I asked around and apparently the captain had forgotten the way, I'm not sure how this is possible on a river! Anyway, in true African style another ferry had been sent to save us. The technique for dislodging us was to tie the 2 boats together then tow us out. The tow line was incredibly short and as a result the 2 boats rammed into each other with quite a force, numerous times! The boats are so old the last thing they need is to be whacked into each other. Still, everyone found it hillarious and it eventually worked.

The ferry was supposed to take 2 nights 1 and a half days, we arrived 2 days late.

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Comments

Shelly on

I love your stories more and more, I think you should just add an extra 2 days on to every time they say how long a trip takes.

Could you imagine if you got on the tube expecting it to take 40mins and then two days later got off at the destination of Oxford Circus. I think by that point Londoners would have started killing each other.....

It sounds awesome nontheless.

Louise and Dan on

African time sounds a bit like Greek time - as long as you get there, there's no problem. Very frustrating no doubt! Loving the blog. xx

Tricia on

Glad to hear you've been testing your sea legs!! Hope you said a great big ARRRRGHHH when the other boat arrived ;)
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