Finally made it to Dakar

Wow that was an emotional roller coaster. Man I hope this turns out okay.

Shit Todd, just read about the fuck up. Sorry to hear that you're going through this man.

There are several RRs about Morocco on ADV. Both Pyndon and Walter Colebatch have done them - in the past couple of years. IIRC, Pyndon was originally going to head into one of the countries you mention and had to abort.

Walter's from 2011:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=727119

Pyndon from 2009:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464723

Hey Denis,
I'll ask around at work tomorrow but from the limited amount that I've heard it's a bit sketchy between Morocco and Dakar. I had hoped to ride up the coast next spring from Dakar to Morocco and then ride around a bit but I may end up either shipping the bike or just renting one up there.

Summer time in Morocco might be rough. I think Walter did it in August or September and it was very hot. I'm shooting for either the Spring or Fall.

But you know you are welcome here anytime you decide to come over. The weather is never really too hot and I've been told that the winter here is great. Cool but not too cold.

Thanks guys. It was one hell of a stressful day. It hasn't been the smoothest ride so far. They shipped my UAB (air that is supposed to arrive in a week) to Dakar via Dubai for some reason and it took almost three weeks. They were supposed to have my HHE here on 8/13 and then pushed that to 9/5 and then the whole missing motorcycle thing pushed me over the edge.

Crossing fingers for you Todd.

Well, they did paint it red and white........

Saw these two at the hardware store.

And these two when we came out from dinner

Great photo Todd. I'm waiting for the crazy colored public buses like were in Central America.

Great info. Really enjoying following your cultural indoctrination. I lived over in Cairo, Egypt for a while and had many similar experiences

Took me a few days to get used to morning prayer being belted thru a PA System. Everyone in Egypt uses those on demand water heaters so getting used to their propane sales tactics, Took some time. A man & his donkey pulling a wagon filled with LP tanks beating on an empty tank in rappid succession with a hammer, Sat me straight up in bed at 6am

So what they do in Dakar to celebrate Labor Day?

I'll have to catch a few of those buses. They paint them up but not as well as they do in Central America.

Not sure what everyone else was doing but we were at the beach in Saly! We had a nice weekend doing nothing but hanging out by the pool with friends and having a few cocktails. No internet, no phone calls and no call to prayer at 0530.

I need a new job

Sorry Lance, no photos of the ladies; that probably wouldn't have gone over so well with the Mrs. Here are a couple of the pool and the yard though.





It was a great house but in typical African style, the hot tub had bubbles but no heat. It even had the switch in place just to get our hopes up that much more but we got nothing. And of course about every hour we had someone at the gate trying to sell us everything from eggs to Afri-crap.

Hey Denis,
I asked around and it sounds like the best bet these days is running the coast down through Western Sahara and Mauritania. Inland seems to be a lot more sketchy. I'd check the Hubb to see who's traveling those routes as you get closer to your trip and see if it's getting better or worse.

You are so right about the walls and broken glass Lance. RaiderRed came up with "Afri-crap" and it's so freaking true.

more pixs please....

Africa wasn't on my bucket list ......so I have to live vicarously thru you.