Monday 10th February
Was a long 12 hour day to Gabon. Had breakfast and it actually came on time and I was already all packed up, so eat and left. Went on the P8 again and then Google showed a short cut which I took, may have been shorter but hours longer, but a lot of fun looking back.
Was a narrow dirt track for for 60 kms in a remote area through the dense jungle. Must have rained about two days ago so there were a few puddles but the track was drying up and not to slippery, but then a hill appeared. Better yet a guy appeared coming down the hill on his Chinese bike, slipping and sliding down. How these people appear at the right time is a miracle, cause there was no way I was going to get up there without help. I greeted the young man and asked for his help and up I went and then down I went after five metres.
Picking up the bike in mud is a struggle and and exhausting. I was angered in and the chap had to dig out for my back wheel while I sat on the bike to balance it, and then he pushed and did this several times and finally made it out and up the hill. I was exhausted and soaked in sweat and had no water of course. I thanked him and gave him a days wages, there was no way I could have evr got up there without his help.
The track turned into a dirt road, the N7 for another 80kms and then onto asphalt. Was a lot of fun but took hours longer but was a treat.
Then was down to Gabon arriving around 5pm. Once again Cameroon was several offices to visit to check out. The customs guy studied my free Passavant for ages and the told me I need to pay for the Passavant and I told him I am not paying for a free Passavant and let's call the issuing officer in Banyou. He insisted I had to pay but I refused and he let up and then scolded me for not having a CDP and signed my exit paperwork and I left.
Got the Immigration at the border and showed them all the paperwork and got stamped out.
Crossed the bridge into Gabon 🇬🇦 and the Immigration officer could speak English and was very friendly and helpful. The policmen was drinking a beer and the miltary guy would not greet me. He called the chief and came back to me and told me I cannot enter.
With the Coup dè tat last year the new dictator won't allow any foreigners to enter by land, he is worried mercenaries will enter, but you can fly in all day long.
I left back to Cameroon. Got my third entry stamp on a page that is not even meant to be used but have been able to con them into stamping there, cause my passport has no space left.
Went back to Abram and found a hotel with no food or beer, wifi, towel, toilet doesn't flush, no water for the sink and a cold shower.
Grabbed some street food and a cold beer at the Total Gas Station and was happy.
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