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They attacked us middle of the road to robbery in Walvis Bay, Namibia!

I suppose that Namibia wasn’t our country. Because this is our second robbery experience in Namibia after somebody tried to enter our tent when we were in!

When we were on the road a person invited us in his house. When we arrived to Walvis Bay we stayed with him. He is really so nice and friendly. It was amazing to meet him. Our plan was stayed two days. But fixed my motorcycle, see around and spent time with him means 4 days. Our last night, he wanted to show us around because we didn’t go out any night. In Africa, if it’s not necessary we prefer to not go out in the night.

First we went to Swakopmund for dinner after that we walk around. It was 8:30 pm, he said that let’s go to Walvis Bay and look around as well. When we were passing close to the house I wanted to go home but Ferry didn’t allow me. He wanted to see together. We came a place where everybody is out and looking like Western Africa for us. We stopped the car and went to a bar just a few meters far from the car. Everybody was dancing and enjoying the night. Some girls came to me and showed how I can dance. We stayed there 30 minutes and than leaved. It was 9:30 pm. He told us to walk around and look how the life was there. I asked him ‘safe to walk here?’ he said that he went there a couple of times before and nothing worried about. Fair enough for us…

From next day morning…Attacked started just corner of the blue building

We were passing the next street from a big square. They had a lot of street food and nice people around. We just came the corner of the next street three guys came to us to talk. They look like drunk. They told a little with our friend and than came to Ferry. I saw Ferry’s face that he was not happy with the people. At the same time, he told me that they were trying to open the zips from his jacket. I told him maybe happened accidentally. They leaved in a second and we kept continue to walk. Maybe we walked 15 meters suddenly came seven guys around us. They were trying to separate us. At the same time I have no idea that they blocked Ferry. They were touching him more like controlling his pocket. I jumped between them and pulled ferry back. I remember that I was screaming to go away!

I turned our friends and said ‘It is good idea to turn back to our car. I am not sure here really safe with those people.’ We were far from the car 70-80 meters. We need to turn back to the square after pass it we have just a meter to the car. I was looking around to find another way to go the car and if something happened how we could escape. At the same time I was so calm, talking with our friend and Ferry.

We just came to the corner 15 people blocked our road. They pushed me out and 7-8 people turned around our friends others were around Ferry. We were in the middle of the road. The traffic stopped because our friend was on the ground and no way a car can drive around. People were on the street and just looking what was going on. Also they had some bars a few meters from us and have security but nobody was coming.

Nobody was touching me. Everything going on in front of me and I had no idea what I should do. I just went down and look for a glass or stone to protect myself but I couldn’t find anything. I was so lucky I couldn’t find anything! I heard Ferry’s scream to HELP! I jumped between the guys and tried to push them back to give a little space so Ferry could run. I hit a guy, scratch another one. One guy was keeping Ferry’s jacket and I bite him. It was crazy because when I was doing this I was thinking at the same time ‘the can have aids or some other virus be careful’

Anyway, Ferry had a space to go out from their circle. I saw a taxi and tried to open the door to jump in. But he locked to door and tried to move away. The traffic wasn’t moving well because our friend was still on the ground and people up him. I tried to open another car door but same thing he locked the door. At the same time some people came next to our friend. I wasn’t clear that they came to help robbers or help our friend.

I was looking around, trying to be calm down and think. I could have time to that because even when I hit guys nobody was hitting me. They were looking me a second and than keep continue to take out Ferry’s pants and jacket.

Of course, they didn’t stop they made a circle around Ferry again and they torn his pants pocket. I was still trying to open car doors. I opened a car door finally. I was going to jump in with Ferry. That moment the scream took my mind. I never heard a sound like that before Ferry. ‘Somebody help! Police!’ I felt that I lost Ferry. Somebody used knife or something. In a second I closed to the car door and I started to hit people. I wanted to kill them in a second because I didn’t know what happening to Ferry between them. Finally, some people move and Ferry escape between them again. Nothing was clue anymore for me. I saw a car and open the door before he locked (it was red polo). I jumped in and pull Ferry in as well. The car was going but definitely wrong direction. I told him to stop. Ferry was saying that our friend behind us and we need to help him. No reaction from the driver.

Where were we going? Who was the guy? I told him to stop again but he didn’t stop. I opened the car door and told him I would jump if he doesn’t stop. Suddenly he turned a street that didn’t have any street light, nothing, totally dark. Nooooooo! He stopped and two cars stopped behind him as well. I closed the door and locked it. The driver was screaming get out. Get out where? Who were behind us? What could we do? I was just trying to think but I almost lost my brain and can’t focus anymore. I just saw Ferry opened the door and went out. Cars were behind us, their light on but nobody moving. I told Ferry to RUN! I was running behind him. When we came to main road he almost crashed a taxi. The taxi driver couldn’t understand what was happening. We jumped the car and said him ‘please drive they are trying to rob us.’ The taxi had already a customer in it as well. The red polo driver came and tried to take taxis key. Taxi driver hit his hand and kept the key. We were just saying drive and go to a police station. He drive a little but had to turned back to go a police station. It means we had to passed again where the red polo was. The polo’s driver tried to close the road and stop the taxi. But got around.

Actually, we didn’t know where the taxi driver was going but we were sure that he was on the main road. We explained everything to him. We really wanted to know what happened our friend. Ferry said ‘F##k! I don’t have my wallet’ which has motorcycle register, driver license and our bankcards. At the same time my phone was ringing. It must be our friend! Yes he was. He escaped from there and asking where we were. No idea. The customer said that we were going to xxxxx police station. He said he was coming there, meet there. We arrived at the police station and taxi driver asked 10 R. No wallet, no money. We told him if he wants he could wait our friend and we could pay him. He didn’t wait and left (big thanks for him).

When we entered the police station it was 11 pm. It means we fight to run away more than one hour. Polices were looking me so strange what we were doing there. We explain about the attacked and robbery. Of course, they were asking where it happened. We didn’t know. Finally our friend arrived and told other details what the police need.

We were so happy to see him in one piece and he was totally fine. After that we he jumped in the car. The persons left from the area. Just a few people were up to him so he could stand and started to run. 3-4 guys run behind him and hit his leg to fall down. He fell down but stand again and arrived to car. When he was leaving by car they tried to break the window and stopped the car. But he didn’t stop and drive towards to them.

After here I will try to cut stories a little because If I want to write all details It looks like I need write more pages;

The police said we were fine so no case. I got really angry for that. Yes, maybe we just needed to say Thank you GOD! And turn back to the home. If I do that I know that I never forget what happened today and I will always be scare to go somewhere. My life will never be the same again….

I told the police about our register and driver license. If we can’t find them we have to go to our Embassies and explain all. We need papers from them about the case and than they need to think the next step. They said ok to help but they didn’t have a car to go back to the robbery place. I said we have car. 5 police can sit in and Ferry and I can sit bag. They said how can we find them it was a crowded attack. I told them I saw three of them well and will remember their face. If I see again I can recognize them. So, we went back to the area. Police told with somebody and said that hard to find. No way! I took a police with me and went to all bars and street to find them. They were disappeared. Some people were coming next to us and saying ‘we saw what happened we were looking at. If you give 400 R we can show you where they are’ No comment!

Police wanted to stop looking. Therefore made me mad… I just started to scream middle of the road that ‘Nobody can touch us like that. Which country this is! You can’t help tourists in your country! Which kind of police you are! Which kind of people you are!….etc.’

It was unbelievable the red polo came and stopped. I saw the driver was flying. I have no idea what he took. It was look like living in another world at that moment. I showed the police this is the guy who took us. The driver came and said us “He saved us we have to pay him for that. When he was running he hit a car and has damage. We have to pay for that as well’

Anyway, I am skipping some details now. It was 4 am and they found the guy who started everything first. Who in the beginning tried to hug Ferry and opened his jacket zip. The police said that go back home and come back 8 am in the morning. They were going to talk with him to learn where our register and license is.

We went home but no way to sleep. We went back to the station at 8 am. Of course the shift has changed and three women inside. They looked us so strange and asked why we were there. Serious! We explained the story again. They had no idea about it. Just said that they have two person in the prison maybe one of them is ours. They took them out and we pointed who is ours. Which street it happened is not their responsibility. We had to go to another station. Really! All night your police were with us, and our suspect is in your prison. They didn’t want to open the case because we were tourist. We were going to leave from Namibia soon and they would have more robbery cases in their hand without witness.

Our friend called somewhere and than the phone ringed at the police station. Suddenly everything changed. They opened the case and wanted help us. But end of the day, they sent us to another police station because the case must be there. We went there. I came face to face with the guy again. The police allow to me talk with him. We talk for 2 minutes and than he didn’t want to talk with me I suppose I have a little sharp tong. 🙂

The other police station got only our friend and Ferry’s story. The investigator said that they must have mine in the case as well. Ok, no problem. I just started to talk with the police, when we hear a gun shot outside. They left us inside and they went out. We saw one guy was keeping his shoulder and everywhere blood. One police took the gun from other person’s hand. We heard he shot him for only for 10 R. We were scare enough. Of course, it was a serious problem therefore came more police to the station. Some of them got surprise to see us there and read our case. And then he asked us what we were doing there, not a safe area for tourist. First of all it was 9 pm. Second we were on the main road. Third, we didn’t know safe or unsafe area. Just local people were around. We didn’t get drunk or do something wrong. We were coming from DRC, Congo, Angola…etc. where the life looks like same as there. We were in Africa more than a year and never happened something before. We saw always people were so friendly and learn a lot about culture. So, if the police told us that not safe how can you see local life. After he listened us he agreed with us. He wanted to keep open the case and help us. He made some phone calls when we were there. We told him that we didn’t want a case just want to have our register and license to leave from Namibia. He said he would find it and the case stays open. When we were leaving the police station the police said that they have a place, which is called ‘crime watch’ and just 2 km. far from the station. We must go there and check our wallet. I didn’t want to go there alone so I wanted the police call here and learn info. He said no! We must go. OK….

Our friend passed from there and we went to the little house. We just entered from the door and who was sitting inside gave Ferry his wallet. Ferry’s driver license, register and bank card were in it. No money and credit card. I suppose the police knew our wallet was there.

On Monday morning we had our case on the court. They said that 9 am in the morning and we wanted to be there. But it was coming noon and no news. So, we decided to leave before it gets to late. We were looking for our case to what happening. 3 months later the court found him no guilty!

Who started everything name was Efraim

We were so lucky that nobody used a knife or gun because everybody was carrying something. A while we talk about it what we felt what should we do… And we decided to keep continue our journey. I hope that we never have something like that again.

GS

November 16, 2017
A thief–robber tried to enter our tent in Namibia when we were in!

To be honest, we were thinking that we are totally safe therefore we could get rest a little and sleep deep in Namibia after western Africa. We didn’t know that it was only a dream for us.

It was wintertime for Namibia when we entered. Our sleeping bags and the tent can keep us warm till 15 degrees. That’s why we decided to go to a city for a day so we can go shopping and stayed at a camping site. Normally, we never stay in the cities for camp. We arrived to Otjiwarongo, found a campsite. We put our motorcycles in front of the reception and our motorcycle gears-bags inside the reception.

We turned back before sunset. Set up the tent and had dinner. It was 8 pm but cold and dark. It was time for us to go to the tent. The campsite was crowded. Only one rental car, a lot of local workers who are working on the roads and stay at the campsite.

We watched one episode from the TV shows and get ready to sleep. I heard steps, which were coming, next to my motorcycle at 9:30 pm. When I told Ferry, he said that ‘it just from the next tent’. Ok, maybe I was wrong. Just five minutes passed I heard a zip was opening. I was sure that this was my side bag. I told again Ferry that ‘somebody is opening my bag’ He said same thing but I was stubborn to check it. We open inside the tent zip and look outside from our front tent (ex-tent had storage in front that we could put some stuff in it. So we had second zip to go out and also had a little window that we could see outside; didn’t need to leave from the tent) Ferry said that I was wrong nobody around. Fare enough because we checked outside.

Passed 10 minutes. That time I was hearing steeps just next to my head. Definitely somebody outside but at the same time we had a tent just behind us maybe 2 meters far. I wanted to tell him again but I knew that he would say again same thing. So, I just tried to be quite and listen outside.

Suddenly, Ferry jumped from the mattress. He said that he saw a shadow next to the tent. It must be same person what I was listening before. We heard a zip sound. Ferry got out the sleeping bag and moved to open our inside tent zip. He was sure that somebody opened our storage zip. He was right!

Ferry was in front I was his back. We came face to face with a man, half of his body was inside our tent and digging to find something. When he saw us he got surprise and started to run. Ferry was behind him without any shoes. I was screaming to him don’t run behind the thief. Because we didn’t know he was alone or somebody waiting for him on the corner. But this is some kind of human behavior I guess.

When I was screaming and Ferry was running I saw some people started to run behind to Ferry as well to help him. Other people came to me and ask ‘are we ok? Did he steal something?’ I said no because we had only shoes and some basic stuff in front of the tent, nothing valuable.

I was really so much anxious about Ferry because there passed 15 minutes and nobody turn back. Did somebody do anything to him? Or he cut his feet or something? Because the ground had a lot of stones and glass. I saw him 20 minutes later, he was coming slowly. Thanks God! He was ok. He said that he run behind the thief until security. He didn’t go to the street. Other persons went, who jumped behind Ferry to help.

That moment the security or who is responsible for the camping site came to us. She was asking we were ok, anything steal. Yes, we were ok and he took nothing but it was strange that we were in a secure campsite and something like that can happen. Also, she was telling us ‘If the thief steal something they could find easily because they have a security camera’ Are you really serious to telling this! How could somebody enter from the reception door if the security there? They told us, sometimes people come around the bar inside and if they need the toilet to use they can pass to the campsite for toilet. Possible that the guy see motorcycles and the tent so tried to look what he can find. No comment for that….

Of course we couldn’t sleep in the night and we got ready early in the morning to leave from there.

It was our first experience that something happened after a year on the road. We talk about our behavior. And promised each other that nobody never run again behind a thief. It doesn’t matter what they take from us.

In the morning the first thing we did? We bought pepper spray!

GS

November 14, 2017
Last part of Europe journey for a while.

After the North Cape our plan was to go to Turkey through the east of Europe. We have been learning to make a plan. 🙂

We didn’t do that much things in Finland. Just went from north to south in Finland and passed to Estonia. And we traveled around the other Baltic countries, Latvia and Lithuania.

*** You can also watch our short video about Europe trip, just click 🙂

When we were in Tallinn Ferry lost his wallet. He didn’t carry that much money in it but motorcycle register and driver license was in it. We couldn’t find anywhere. He decided to apply again new papers and send somewhere in Europe. We were trying to go to Belarus. Of course we couldn’t enter it. In the border they said that he is fine inside to Europe without papers but no way to enter Belarus without paper. We just tried… 🙂

Meeting nice people on the road…

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and than Poland. When we entered to Poland we saw that my chain had a serious problem, didn’t work to back rear tire because than chain has already lost profile. We went to Honda deal in Olsztyn. We met Gregory who could speak German a little, Ferry too. Gregory said that he has to change the chain but can’t do that at the same time because they don’t have the right chain. We could wait a day but we need to find a spot to go camping. When we told it to Gregory he didn’t allow us to go and called his wife. Marta was in the mechanic service in 15 minutes to pick us up to go to their home. They are amazing couple to spent time with them. Next day, Gregory fixed the motorcycle also checked up well. But we couldn’t leave because we wanted to stay with them more and enjoy every moment. 🙂

You never lose anything on the road! 🙂

When we were there my phone was ringing but I didn’t check it. Because the number is belong to Norway and nobody knows our number to call. Must be wrong number. Called more than 5 times, same number! I asked Ferry to his wallet that he put our number in it. He said we had Norway number card info in it. The calling number is from Estonia. Maybe, somebody was calling us about the wallet, why not…

Ferry called back the number. The call was from Holland Embassy in Estonia. Somebody found our wallet and gave to the police who waited a week. Nobody asked there fore they decided to give the wallet Holland Embassy because has important document in it. The embassy was asking to Ferry how he could travel without papers. 🙂 After talk a while he told me that The Embassy sending his wallet to his address in Holland.

At the same time his father called us and gave a good new, which he sold his apartment. We need his papers and also sold the home. We changed our road again went to Holland from Germany.

We slept on the highway in Germany.

We know that you can’t camp everywhere in Germany and hotels are expensive. The road is so far. When I made two times 570 km in a day I got so tired and we have 900 km in front of us to make in a day. We never loose anything, just try. When we go home we can get rest….

Of course, we couldn’t make it. We made 700 km. Maybe we could go more but German highways are so crazy for me. No limit for speed. Cars go so crazy. I never understood what passed next to me in a second. J I wasn’t feeling comfortable to be on the road with my 250 cc motorcycle when cars make 300 km per hour. We stopped a parking area but we couldn’t wait until morning without sleep. We can’t open the tent there as well. End of the night, we opened our hammock next to our motorcycle and slept inside a couple of hours.

Holland Again

We stayed in Alkmaar a week. When we decided to go back Holland we bought some parts for the motorcycle and parts for the motorcycle on Internet. He sold the house, we got rest a little and visit his family to said bye bye again but this time for our Africa journey….

Tires are expensive in Turkey. If we change them in Holland we would make 5.000 km or more in Europe still. We need good profile for our tires in Africa. So, we decided to carry tires on our motorcycles to Istanbul, Turkey. It took two days to figure out how we can carry everything on the motorcycles. 🙂

Hit the road again.

We passed again Germany. It was fourth time. I suppose I passed all big highways in German east to west, south to north. We passed Czech Republic, Poland and arrived in Ukraine.

Every year, I go to travel somewhere with my father to see new things together. I invited my father to Ukraine for a week. He came to Lviv. After a couple of days he took a train to Kyiv. Ferry and I ride our motorcycles and met my father there again. When he was going back to Istanbul We gave everything to my father to carry Istanbul what we don’t need on the road until Turkey.

It was a stupid accident…

After Ukraine we passed to Moldova. It is beautiful and cheap country. We spent a week there and then a couple of days more because of me. I collected nuts from the trees. When we were in the hotel I tried to open them with a knife. I was going well until the knife cut my hand very deep. It was blood everywhere and I couldn’t stop it. Middle of the night Ferry found the owner but couldn’t communicate because of the language. Good thing she was Italian and I can speak a little Spanish, means we can understand each other. She called an ambulance. They did everything well but I can’t ride motorcycle with bandage on my hand because my glove didn’t fit. We had to wait a couple of days before my skin closed well.

Going Turkey

We decided to go to Turkey as soon as possible. Because if something happened to my hand I would like to be in a hospital and explain all details in my own language. When my hand was hurting me It wasn’t easy to go fast of course. Therefore slowly we passed through Romania and than Bulgaria and arrived to my home. We waited almost three weeks until the doctor said we can keep continue our journey everything is fine.

At the same time we changed our seats, had a screen for our Honda CRF 250L. We went everyday to my friend’s mechanic service to learn about mechanic. I was more watching because of my hand Ferry was working everyday with them.

When we where ready to go to Africa it was the beginning of November. If we pass Balkans we can be in Morocco middle of December, which means we cannot go to Atlas Mountains because of the snow. Also, November and December are not a good time to ride Balkans because of the rain and cold.

Okay, we skipped Balkans and go to Morocco directly. We have a plan still to ride motorcycle in the Balkans. Just we will do that later.

We ride from Istanbul, Turkey to Igoumenista, Greece in two days and we took boat to Brindisi, Italy. We ride in Italy to the Civitavecchia harbor to take a ferry to Barcelona. We went to Barcelona to stay for 5 days but stayed there a week because of Ferry’s carnet had some problem and we waited to arrive in Barcelona. Anyway we were lucky with the weather and had a nice place from Ferry’s friend to stay, we really enjoyed Barcelona.

13 of November, we were on the boat to start our Africa journey by motorcycle…

GS

November 12, 2017
Norway is a paradise to ride motorcycles….

We stayed in Norway a month. I wish we could stay more but it was so cold. Normally best time to be there in July and August but we were unlucky for the weather in 2016. We were on the north so we never understood when the dark was coming and how much time we could spend on the road. Each road was so enjoyable therefore we ended the day mostly around 10 pm.

In this article we wanted to write amazing motorcycle roads or scenic roads in Norway also a little about hiking points as well. Maybe it can help your journey to ride in Norway;

Our first day in Norway, we ended up around Moss. It was light rain sometimes during the day and we didn’t bother so much. When we found a spot the set up our tent the rain started crazy. In 5 minutes we were totally wet. We were trying to set up the tent but rain and wind were so much to do that. First time, I saw first time Ferry broke down. He stopped and said that “Go and find a hotel. I can’t do this any more.” Maybe, it was good idea but collect everything, go back to the road and start to look for a hotel could be take more time. We could get more wet and I didn’t want to do that in the dark. I told him “stayed under a tree I can manage everything.” We need to help each other. If I broke down like him who can help us? I opened the tent and put everything in. Tried to cook inside, made a coffee and calmed down. The rain didn’t stop all night. Good thing was our tent didn’t take water in….

We woke up with a lovely day. After breakfast we were on the road again. When we arrived to Lavik we found very nice place to camp. We wanted to enjoy in the camping. So, we made only 70 km in a day.

When we started our journey in Europe to the North Cape we promised each other for “Nobody push to ride more and more if we find a spot to enjoy just stay there. This is our journey…” Therefore, it doesn’t matter to make 50 km in a day or 300 km.

Next day, we were on the road to Skien. We arrived at a nice lake. We saw a sign that was writing, “You can camp here but not more than 3 days.” We could stay 2 days. J It was really lovely place we love it. In the night we met 2 local guys (Gisle and Tore), one rider and the other one just walked all the way to the North Cape. We learned a lot for the road from both of them.

One thing is so nice in Norway you can camp everywhere just don’t get closed to a house less than 150 meters. And if you are staying in a private property more than 2 days go and get permission from the owner. So, we didn’t think so much when we started to ride each morning when we would be end up.

We were going to Kjerang but suddenly the rain started crazy. If we have rain it means so cold for us because we were riding mountain road. We called a person who invites us to stay with him in Stavanger. He said that we could come anytime. So we turned to our road Stavanger and arrived his house totally wet J We stayed with him 4 days. If the weather was nice we were going somewhere to ride around. First time, I understood that amazing feeling to ride motorcycle without bags. When we were staying there we went to Pulpit Rock with one motorcycle but we where not so lucky with the weather. It was too much foggy and we couldn’t see down 🙂

Our next destination was Trollturunga. They were telling us to we couldn’t finish in a day because of the weather and mud. We didn’t want to put our motorcycles in the parking area and go a couple of days. Why? If something happened them J We arrived around 9 pm and it was still day light. We had a plan to start to hiking go to the top watch sunrise and turn back next day. All our plans stay on the table. We have learned about it….

We started to hiking but when it was 2 am, the rain and wind started again. Therefore we decided to open the tent somewhere. Next day, we arrived to Trolturunga rock to see view under the rain. We waited to the weather change a little for photo but no way! Ok, stay one day more next to the amazing rock and view and turn back next day. The weather was crazy. We woke up in a lake. It wasn’t like that when we set up the tent. J We turned back to the motorcycle under the rain. Everything was wet on the motorcycle after 3 days rain. It was 5 pm. Nothing around to stay cheap. We looked a basic hotel that is 30 km back on our road but 25 USD. We went there and found the owner. We were lucky because they had only one room with share bathroom. Also, they have a room to where you can dry your clothes. Of course, we liked to place so much. Everything got dry in a day but the weather got worse. What could we do? Stay in the room, got rest and watched a lot of movie to wait next day? Yes, that might have been a good idea but we didn’t do that 🙂

After that we went to Gjendesheim to hiking again but rain, a little snow and cold didn’t allow us to do the hiking for 3 days. We just made Bessengen path and than turn back to the fjord to find a less windy spot to set up tent. I wrote before about the weather that we where not lucky about that for 2016.

We had a lot of things in our mind but we couldn’t. We were checking the weather all the time and changing our road. We knew the weather wasn’t good but we didn’t want to skip Greiganger Fjord. It was so cold and we were just thinking how we could open the tent. Suddenly, we saw a sign before the Fjord. A house was renting their room. The price was 450 NOK which is not too bad because we could sleep in a room. 🙂

Greiganger Fjord and area is really so nice to see. We spent a couple of days there to enjoy tracking and landscape. We are riders so we always look for a nice motorcycle road to ride. So, we choose road 63 after that 650 and 661 (towards Eisdal to Linge than Vestnes). We were going to pass Atlantic ocean road and the view was amazing on the road. Means for us “Camping! Camping!”

From there we went to Bud and than started the famous Atlantic ocean road and passed to the drunk bridge. Yes, the bridge shape is so exiting but when I was riding on it, it was just a bridge. When we arrived to Trondheim it was camping time for us because of the landscape. When we woke up we saw kids around us. The place is their play area. They were so curios of course what we were doing in their game area. After breakfast we were on the road again. We were really looking forward to ride on road number 17, which is one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the world. The road is total 650 km and has 6 ferries. If you can’t catch the next ferry find a spot to camping and enjoy the view. (Until now, we passed more than 45 countries and still road 17 in my top 5.)

We spent a couple of days on road 17. Because a lot of place means for us “Camping! Camping!”

And of the road we got on the boat from Bodo to Monkenes for Lofonten Islands. We went directly to A which is very famous with the view in Lofonten Island. Of course, we can’t miss the view, we need to stay minimum one night to enjoy.

We didn’t ride main road (E10) in Lofonten islands. We went small roads to see villages and find nice free camping spots. We went from A to Andenes because we wanted to see everywhere in Lofonten. Andoya road has really nice landscape and an amazing spot next to the beach for camping. We where not lucky with the weather to swim but maybe you can be lucky for it.

Time to go Nordkapp(North Cape) We took a ferry from Andenes and kept continue our road. How the weather could be like that. When we arrived to the most Northern point of Europe, North Cape it was a little snow L We couldn’t spend so much time there also we didn’t camp because of cold. And we couldn’t find a place to stay because they were closed or fully booked. We had to open the tent somewhere on the road. And first time I broke down. I got so cold and couldn’t feel my fingers anymore. I was just complaining myself to what I was doing here. Ferry was also cold but he was so calm down. He set up the tent and boil a water for coffee and for put to our feed. This is the way, keeping us on the road. Who break down first other one stays calm and helps….

Next day we woke with sun but still it was cold. We decided to pass to Finland and go down fast towards Africa. Because we made our first goal to went the North Cape. We were on the road almost 2 months. Each day we learned a lot about our self, ride motorcycle, leave in the tent…. etc.

GS

November 10, 2017
Nuremberg, Germany to Alkmaar, Holland ride together…

Finally, we were together. So we didn’t need to rush anywhere anymore and we need a lot of things for motorcycle accessories and clothes. We visit some shops to buy them in Nuremberg. Of course it’s not easy to find everything in a same place to good quality and cheap. After stay two days in Nuremberg we decided to go to Frankfurt and stay there two days as well for shopping and see around together.

Nuremberg to Frankfurt was our first ride together we didn’t have intercom. So, before ride we told about all signal and body language how we could communicate when we were riding. Even if we had some trouble but we could manage well.

We went all motorcycle shopping place in Frankfurt as well in two daysJ We bought most important things which was enough for us in Europe to go to the North Cape.

When we entered Holland before go to Alkmaar we decided to stay in Zelhem. Ferry’s family has a country house there and I love nature so much. It was amazing option for us to stay there and talk a little about our journey what we will do.

First time, I tired to clean chain also tried to fix side bag metals. We need to start from somewhere to learn a little about our motorcycles.

13 of July we were in Alkmaar. I knew that when we go to home we never get rest because we need to get ready for our journey. Ferry needs to sell what he can sell to make money…etc. Actually, he sold well, all clothes, cycle parts, electronics…etc.

I don’t remember how many times we tried to pack bags. Because what we wanted to carry never fit in. It was so hard to skip some clothes because of the weather. It was summer time but we were going to the North so I can definitely feel cold and need warm clothes. I was backpacker before. I was on the road only with 30 liters bag, which had everything for camping, clothes, medicine, food, electronics…etc. How could be possible to I can not fit in 100 liters for two persons?

Finally 9 days later we were ready to leave. After visit his family we hit to road toward to the North Cape.

GS

November 8, 2017
Istanbul, Turkey to Nuremberg, Germany in 5 days with 250 CC motorcycles…

It doesn’t happen so often to see alone women rider on the road by motorcycle from Turkey. Especially, if you don’t have that much experience to ride, most people love to give you a lot of bad info and comment. I didn’t ride a motorcycle almost 9 years. My dream was travel around the world by motorcycle. Most important part in this dream is to go to Africa. If I’m to scared to ride alone in Europe how I can make more than 200.000 km around the world.

He just bought his motorcycle and need to practice in Holland. Also, I need to trust myself to ride. So, we decided that I could ride Turkey to Holland alone and he can ride motorcycle in Holland to get ready our trip. I suppose that it’s not a clever idea to hit to road at the same day when you get to driver license. J Also, he must wait to first 1.000 km of the new motorcycle and go back to the motorcycle mechanic.

First day in Turkey;

03.July.2016, I packed my motorcycle, which is Honda CRF 250L, after say bye bye my family I started my journey. In the beginning feeling was strange because I had a lot of bad things in my mind like if I fall down, if engine problem, if have a problem…. etc. After a couple of hours I started to enjoy. Feeling wind on my face and riding towards my dreams.

First night, I slept Turkey to Bulgaria border in Edirne. It wasn’t to bad to make 280km in a day with 250 cc motorcycle after 9 years later.

Second day in Bulgaria;

Next day, I entered to Bulgaria and keep continue to Sofia what is close to the Serbia border. I didn’t have a plan to see countries in my mind because I don’t remember how many times I visited all countries. Just focused to ride motorcycle and learn more abut my Honda CRF 250L limits.

One of the break times, I stopped the motorcycle and got off. At the same time my motorcycle was on the ground. I suppose that I couldn’t open the leg well or stop position wasn’t good. I couldn’t lift it up and nobody around. I was thinking what I could do. In a second, I heard a motorcycle sound and he stopped next to me. Oh my God it is huge man. J He tried to asked me with body language that I am ok any accident. I was ok just motorcycle fell down. He lifted it up my motorcycle like he was taking cotton from the ground!

I arrived to the hotel, which Ferry booked for me and send reservation. When I wanted to check-in they told me that my reservation for the next day. Do you think that he was thinking I couldn’t make 350 km in a day? I was going to him to start our journey of life therefore I was riding everyday a lot I suppose…

Anyway, they were so helpful and I could check-in….

Third day in Serbia;

I woke up early to get ready to ride. Before I leave from the hotel I called him and I had to change my plan. Because he is more crazy than I. It didn’t matter rain or bad weather he was just riding motorcycle in Holland north to south to make 1.000 km as soon as possible. Then he wants to come Hungary or Austria to meet with me. Maybe, I didn’t ride 9 years but I made more than 20.000 km before and took a lot of lesson to ride. No way! He can’t come to pick me up somewhere, I would go to him. J

Yeap… I made 570 km in a day and arrived to Serbia-Hungary border. After that I promise myself that I never ever ride so long like that again because It wasn’t comfortable. You can’t speed so much and the sit is not for a long journey. I arrived a little village before dark. I found a little guesthouse to sleep a night.

Fourth Day in Hungary

I was on the motorcycle 3 days and total I made 1.200 km already. When I woke up in the morning all my body was hurting me. It could be great if I could get rest today. I called Ferry to say I don’t want to ride motorcycle today. I was feeling that first time I went to GYM and use my muscles, which I never use before. That’s way I have all muscles pain. He was fine to I want to get rest. He can come to Serbia if I wait him there 2 days. I really don’t know who is crazier. Because he already made 700 km in two days. Where you can go in Holland for 700 km! He made same road maybe 20 times in a day, like he can ride the road when he closed his eyes as well.

What should I do? I took painkillers and hit the road again. I couldn’t believe myself what I was doing. Pushing my limits so much. That moment, I was thinking that I am crazy. When I came Africa I understood that it was a good thing that I pushed myself there and saw my limits because Africa has been pushing you more than this sometimes.

When I was in the Hungary at the border it started to rain and nobody allow to me pass in front. After I got wet, I came to passport control. It took only 5 minutes to enter Hungary. I waited more than one hour to stop the rain. I found a bus, which was going Austria from Turkey. They gave me food and coffee.

I bought my vignette and followed my road. Serbia-Hungary to Hungary-Austria border was 360 km. It took 6 hours. When I found a place to sleep I just put my head to the pillow and fell a sleep; no food, no shower…

Fifth Day in Austria and German;

When I woke in the morning it took a couple of minutes to understand where I was. Just tired!

I found Wi-Fi and called Ferry. He said that he just leaved from the technical service. Wow, he made already 1.000 km. Also, he said that he was leaving from Holland to come Austria. I just told him “ Are you crazy! How can you make more than 1.000 km in a day?” I was trying to find middle of the way which like he could leave from Alkmaar next day and go to Frankfurt so I could go there in 2 days. Do you think that he could listen to me? He wanted to see me as soon as possible and ride together. No option to find middle!

What happened? I was on the road from Hungary to Nuremberg. I passed Austria very fast and than keep continue to Nuremberg where the hotel was. I made 570 km and he made 760 km in a first day his motorcycle journey.

When I arrived to the hotel Ferry was already there. He came 30 minutes early than I. All night, we talk about motorcycle how much he is exciting and ready to go North Cape and after Cape Agulhas to make the Cape-to-Cape road. We can discover the world easily by motorcycle….etc. Sound is amazing. Because I was looking forward to go to Africa. But I just told him. Let’s go to sleep first and than go to the North Cape.

What can I say more? I was so tired because I made 2.130 km in five days. I said myself I never ride 500 km again with motorcycle in my third day and I made again on my fifth day!

GS

November 6, 2017
Lesotho and Sani Pass, nice to ride there…

First we focused to Sani Pass road second we want to discover Lesotho. Turkish passport needs to apply visa for Lesotho. But we didn’t want to go all the way to Durban; apply, wait and turn back. So, we said go to the Lesotho border and see what happens, they let me in or ask for visa. 🙂

Sani Pass south africa and lesotho

We turned to the Sani Pass road and came to the South Africa border. After exit, the beautiful landscape from the Sani Pass started. The road is 15 km and you are really climbing. Also, very narrow and has sharp corners. Need to be careful. I fell down the motorcycle one time because I didn’t give enough gas and couldn’t go up. So, I stopped and put the motorcycle ground. 😉 Anyway, it is amazing road you need to go and see.

After finished the road we came to the Lesotho border. We gave our passport and started to talk about our Africa journey and motorcycle. When we were talking they asked how many days we want to stay. We said 2 days and they said 5 days. Great! We took our stamps and entered Lesotho. Directly, the tar road starts from the border.

On the road, I don’t remember how many times we stopped to take photo or had a break to see view. When we were riding we saw signs, which writes to high between 2.500 m. and 3.800 m.

We arrived to St James afternoon and decided to stay there. They have a small hotel and camping area. We choose a little local room to stay (300R/2 person, camping 60 pp). They gave us oil light and gas heather. It is a lovely place between the mountains. People are also nice. We used their kitchen to cook and had a good night.

Next day, we said bye everybody there after breakfast and hit the road again. We felt that the landscape was more beautiful then yesterday. We saw a lot of villages, ski places, also diamond mines. Yes, Lesotho has diamond, of course we don’t know about quality. We couldn’t see a lot of markets to buy vegetable or cooking stuff. We were happy we bought everything in South Africa, enough 2-3 days for us. Therefore we really didn’t look so much to find something. You can drink water from the tap there because coming from mountains, which is very fresh and clean.

We wanted to stay one day more but we didn’t like that much where we looked. They wanted to give high price without anything. For example, 100R pnpp for camping without anything, which means no shower, no toilet also no water. Forget about electricity because Lesotho has already problem for that.

We had 32 km the border. We stopped for little break and look to map and decide what we would do. Two women came next to us and started very basic conversation between us because they can’t speak English.

-They asked, “Where we are going?”

-We said “No plan. Maybe go to South Africa or stay here”

-She said “Can I give a plan”

-Ferry and I looked each other and smiled. We asked her ” What is the plan”

-She said ‘We have a small nice place to stay in the village. Only, 4 km far ‘’

We were looking a place already. So, we listened to her and turned to the village. Found to Mamohase B&B. We follow some very funny signs like ‘don’t give up, you are nearly there’ to find the place.

We saw that the area is lovely. So, before asked the price we already decided to stay there. 😉 He said 350R pppn include dinner. We said we don’t need dinner and that we stayed in St James and paid 300R total without dinner. He said directly ok. The room was bigger than the one before but still traditional house. He also gave us an electric stove as well to cook. Normally, no electricity but he has mini solar 😉

We walked around and tried to talk people. It’s such a peaceful place. They are so friendly and view is so nice. Sunset time, we turned back to the room. Made a dinner and told the owner to have shower. He said that could be ready in 30 minutes. It is great but we didn’t see any shower around so we were curious where we would go. Finally, he called us we went to another room to shower in a bucket 😉

Next day, we left there late to enjoy with the view a bit more. The border was 32 km far and we were planning to stay next to the South Africa border.

We didn’t read anything about Lesotho; also we didn’t check photos on Internet to see how it is look like. This way is nicer because we can discover with our eyes. We like the country so much. The landscape is gorgeous; the roads are wonderful for motorcycles. People were so friendly and nice with us. It is one of our favorite countries in Africa, so far.

November 3, 2017
Our Madagascar Journey

We would like to see east, south, west and north of Madagascar in our journey. But rent a car or fly inside to Madagascar was so expensive which is definitely out of our budget for the world trip. So, we skipped the beaches and islands and we choose west, a little east and south. We booked our flight from Johannesburg and went to Madagascar for two weeks.

(1)We arrived to Tana around 4 pm because of delayed. After passport control and exchanged money we went to out to meet our driver. (rent a car and price detail) He already said that we were late to go Antsirabe because of rush our in Tana and a little dangerous to be on the road after sunset. Dark is really dark on the road; you can’t see well that you pass a village, where people, kids and animals walking on the streets. Also, truck drivers and taxi busses are so crazy and they don’t have enough light to see them. We arrived to Antsirabe around 9:30 pm. After dinner we looked a place to stay but most hotel was fully booked others were so expensive. We stayed a hotel which is you don’t want to stay. No shower and dirty. We entered our sleeping bags to sleep.

(2)Next day, we went to Morondava. The landscape was amazing. We couldn’t decide left or right had more nice view. We were in the car 8 hours to go there. We arrived afternoon, found a hotel to have a shower and get rest. Our driver took us a local bar to drink and eat. It was so nice taste and cheap, after that we passed out.

(3)We woke up around 7 am and started to drive again to Bekopa where The Tsingy de Berhama National Park is. It’s a 280 km dirt road with gravel and a lot of sand, which means you are going slow and bump in the car all day. We passed from Baobas avenue but didn’t stop because we must be in Bekopa before 3 pm to buy our park tickets before the ticket office closed. Maybe the road took around 8-9 hours but was so beautiful the see around. Also, took two little ferries to pass rivers.

We arrived there 2.45 pm and bought our ticket and met our guide for the park. We wanted to camp there. (camping price detail) Camping stopped and local people were so friendly. Our driver looked a place for dinner, which was 4.000 AR to rice and chicken. It is cheap price! When we went to the restaurant they saw us and said that we are white therefore we must pay 6.000 AR. They put chicken for three on one plate to we share with our driver, Tahina. He paid 4.000, we paid 6.000 for the same food. No more option to look for other thing. 6000 AR is 2 USD so still not expensive but we didn’t feel good that the price changed like that.

(4)We want to see Big Tsingy. (Madagascar national park enter fee and guide price) That’s why we woke up 6 am and picked our guide up from the village we went to the hiking spot. It was 17 km but took us one hour. I suppose that you can imagine the road condition. It was amazing and so much enjoyable half day for us to be in Tsingy and see it. And we see Lemur there. We saw a brown and a white one. After finish the tour we were planning to stay one day more in Bekopa but we didn’t like behavior of the restaurants and bars. Because it is touristic area and when they see you they want to double price. We told Tahina to go Belo. The other day we stopped there for lunch. We liked the restaurant and also wanted to spent more time there. We went there, find a hotel, walked around and than jumped to the same restaurant. 🙂 when we were leaving it was closing time. The owner was so happy to see us again because not many tourists come there. Ferry went there in the morning to buy coffee and bread as well and they had a big smile when he came. 🙂

(5)After a couple of day Madagascar finally we could sleep till 8:30 am. We visit some villages on the road. We had break to see oldest baobab tree and love of baobab trees (2 baobabs hugging each other). Also, we saw white black Lemur there with babies. And then we arrived to Avenue of baobab. They said that sunset time is so nice but it’s very crowded that time, so for us noon was better because we wanted to fly with our drone there. Perfect nobody around only some local people. We could take a lot of photos and spent time. We could wait sunset but it was more interest for us to go back Morondava early to walk around. This time we stayed a hotel, which is more close to the beach. We walked around, went to bazaar, try to communicate with the local people. They were so kind and nice. In the night, we went to the same bar for dinner and drinks.

You can also watch Avenue of baobab how looks like.

(6)This was the west of Madagascar. We wanted to go Ranomafana and Isalo National Park. It means, we need to go south of Madagascar. (Madagascar national park enter fee and guide price) They have only one main tar road. Therefore, we turned back to Antsirabe. Again we were 8-9 hours in the car. Good thing is the view. Maybe we were passing the same road but it looked like different landscape to enjoy again because of weather. This time, we found a nice hotel and stay there. No dinner because Ferry had stomach problems. So, nice to stay in the room get rest and don’t eat so much.

(7)Next day, we were on the road 11 am. He got rest. Also, our car had some break and tires problem on the road. We waited Tahina to fix it. Normally our plan was go to Ranomafana Park first to be in the rainforest. When we were on the road we decided to skip it because we where also going Andasibe National Park which has a rainforest also and the biggest lemur. It doesn’t make sense to pay two times enter fee to see rainforest. (Madagascar national park enter fee and guide price) After 5-6 hours drive we arrived to Fianarantsoa. Ferry wasn’t feeling good so we just stayed basic local hotel, which we found first. We went to quick shopping and turn back the hotel. Fianarantsoa is crazy city on sunset time because of mosquitos. I don’t remember how many mosquitos we killed in the room but more then 30!

(8)In the morning, first we went to pharmacy. It is a big city so we could find a pharmacy and buy pills for stomach problems. After that we were on the road again to go Isalo National Park. Before that we stopped on Anja reserve to see most the famous Lemur. We knew that we had a chance to see them in Isalo if we are lucky. In the reserve, we don’t need luck J We saw many Lemurs and some other special animals. When we arrived to Isalo village it was 4 pm. We stayed Chez Alice. Nice place to see Isalo Park landscape.

(9)Our Isalo Park tour stared 8 am in the morning, which was 12 km trekking and around 5-7 hours. It depends how much you want to stop for photos or swim in oasis. It is nice park but we like more Tsingy. We were luck to see three kind of Lemur there. We didn’t want to swim first three oases but when I saw last one I couldn’t keep my self and jumped to the water with my clothes. 🙂 It was so beautiful. The water was so cold but the weather is so hot. My clothes get dry in 30 minutes. End of the day I didn’t get sick… We turned back to the hotel around 2 pm and wanted to stay there to enjoy with view and get some rest.

(10) After Isalo Park, more people go to Ifaty for beach. We wanted to see parks and Lemur. Therefore our next stopped was Andasibe park. We must go to east of Madagascar. So we have to turn back Antsirabe again. Maybe Isalo to Antsirabe is not so far from each other when you look at the km but it takes so long because of the road. We first went to Fianarantsoa. We stopped many places on the road for photos and enjoy with landscape. We also walked in Fiana to see around. This time we stayed another hotel, which was much nicer even a bit luxury.

(11) Turn back to Antsirabe from the same road but the weather was different. So, we felt that we didn’t pass the road before because the landscape was nicer. This was our third time to be in Antsribe. Finally, it was early and we didn’t have any problem. We could walk around the city a little. Nothing special but you can find a lot of nice restaurant and really good food.

(12) Normally, we were going first to Tana after that Andasibe . But this year blade was more bad, started early and more people dead because of that in Tana. We decided to go directly Andasibe and don’t stay in Tana. After 7 hours drive we arrived in Andasibe national park.

(13) In the morning very early, we went to the park to see Lemurs. It’s a nice walk in the rainforest to see some animals and of course the biggest Lemur. After that we went to another tours to be more inside in the rainforest. They made a lot of different option. If you want to mix some tour together in one time you should ask your guide. We paid for oasis tour to trekking but at the same time we walked to the Sacred falls as well which was you need to pay extra normally 🙂

(14) It was time to turn back to the airport but our flight was next day 3 am in the morning. So we took our time in the morning and left around noon. Tahina drive very slow and we stopped some village to walk around. Also we had very long lunch but Tana to Andasibe Park is max 3-4 hours drive. Therefore when we came to Tana we drive a little around to see the city. After that Tahina said let’s go to a local bar to eat and drink. Good idea! We were there 5 hours.

Finally, it was 10 pm and we went to airport. We were thinking that we can sit somewhere inside and wait. But we couldn’t enter check-in area. No sit around. Wait, wait and wait like time didn’t passed. It was 1 am and we could check-in and than went to gate for our flight.

We like so much Madagascar. We saw first time people works a lot in a African country. I suppose because of where they came from 🙂 Middle of Madagascar had immigrated from Borneo Island. So a lot of Malaysian and Indonesian people came to Madagascar and they look more like Asian people with a little dark skin. You can imagine why they like rice a lot for all meals and have a lot of rice fields. We didn’t go to the north of Madagascar but they said that more Arabic people living there who moved many years ago and stayed. South of Madagascar has more African people therefor they don’t have a lot of rice field. All part has different culture and life. Also, it has different landscape and weather. If we had our motorcycles there we should have stayed more in Madagascar to discover.

November 1, 2017
How much money do you need to Madagascar trip, rent a car, food, hotel…etc.?

Our Madagascar trip was for 14 days. It was so hard to find all info about how much hotel, where we can eat also rent a car… We searched a lot of things but not a lot of detail to find. Therefore we booked a car last minute and flight Madagascar…. You can read our Madagascar journey.

How much did we spend in Madagascar? Is it cheap to travel?

For Food

If you want to go more touristic restaurants you can have more option. We ate most of time in local restaurants. Main dishes rice which comes with crabs, shrimps, zebu (cow meat), pork or fish… possible to order vegetables as well. It depends on the area what you can order…

We paid between 2500 AR and 6000 AR for one person. Also beer is 3000 AR(local beer 660 ml) , soft drinks 1500 AR (330) ml) and water 2000AR(1.5 liter) in local restaurants. We went to a lot of bazars to buy fruits they are selling banana (2000 AR per kilo) Oranges (4000 AR per kilo) and Pineapple (3000 AR each).

So, we spent 600.000AR for all food and drinks in our two weeks trip.

For Hotel and Camping in Madagascar

It is possible to sleep in the tent Tsingy Berahama National Park which we paid 5000 AR to village tax and 5000 AR for the tent for one night with two persons. Camping inside the Isalo National Park costs 25000 AR. We skipped the Ranomafana National Park because we were going to Andasibe Park which ha

s similar rainforest and you can see the biggest Lemur there. They told us it’s not possible to camping Ranomafana. Andasibe National park entrees has a camping side also which is next to the picnic area and free but no facilities.

We were looking for a simple hotel, what needed to be clean, have a hot shower and Wi-Fi in Madagascar. The price for it is around 40.000-45.000 AR. Some places you can find 30.000-35.000 AR room as well but they don’t have good Wi-Fi or hot water. Just, we can tell you that don’t try a hotel room which is 20.000 AR.

We carried our tent to camping but we could sleep only one time because Ferry had some stomach problem, so he preferred to sleep in a room 🙂

We spent total 500.000 AR to stay.

Have a sim card or need a pharmacy

When we arrived to the airport we bought phone card from TELMA. 1 GB internet and sim card was 25600 AR.

You should carry with you some pills for stomach problem, dearie or get cold. Weather can change every region hot to cold. Also it doesn’t matter where you want to eat, possible to have some stomach problem. Ferry did it and we searched to find big pharmacy to find some medicine. And we spent 26200 AR to Ferry feel better J

Madagascar National Parks and Reserves enter fees, guide price…

Madagascar is one of the touristic destinations in Africa continent. They made special tourist prices as they do more around Africa. In Madagascar they bring this to a second level, locals will pay 2.000 AR enter fee and tourist 55.000 AR also you need to pay for a guide.

Tsingy Berhama National Park’ s enter fee is 55.000AR per person and a guide is 135.000AR up to 4 people. You need to pay every day. To get to Tsingy you need 2 ferries as well to cross the river, they cost totally 90.000 AR.

Isalo National Park’ s enter fee is 65.000AR per person and guide is 120.000AR up to ten people. Pay daily.

Anja Reserve to see famous Lemurs. We went there and take a 1,5 hour tour. Enter fee is 10.000 AR per per person and guide is 48000AR (prices change how long your tour is).

Andasibe National park. They have a lot of option to do. Daily enter fee is 45.000 AR per person. We did the Indri2 tour (50.000AR) and Sacred Waterfall(40.000AR). Every tour is a different price and each guide can take up to 4 persons. We also paid 2.000 AR for the car to enter the park for trekking. J

So, we paid all enter fees and guide 777.000 AR.

About Madagascar road and rent a car

When we were searching about car rental we couldn’t find a lot of info about it. If you want to rent a car and drive yourself the price is more expensive compare to a car with a driver. Looks like, the better option is to rent a car with driver. Daily rent car price is between 40 USD and 70 USD including a driver, excluding petrol. It depends which kind of car you want or where you want to go.

Madagascar main road is tar road with a lot of potholes and crazy drivers are on the road. So, it’s not an option to go fast. For example, Antsirabe to Morondava is 480 km but takes minimum 8 hour to go. Or Antsirabe to Andasibe is 290 km but takes 6-7 hours drive on the tar road. We would like to give a little info about road plan to understand how many days you have to discover to Madagascar and what you can do :

Antsirabe is like a center. If you want to go Tsingy and than Isalo National park like us you go to Tsingy, turn back Antsirabe than go to Isalo. This is what we did, we arrived in TANA (Antananarivo the capital). Our first stop was Tsingy. this means that you go to Antsirabe(First day), Morondava (second day), Bekopa (third day), (fourth day in Tsingy), turn back Morondava (fifth day), Antsirabe (sixth day). If you spent only one day in Tsingy Berhama Park you need 6 days to go and come back Tsingy again.

For Isalo you can go in 1 day from Antsirabe to Isalo, spent there a day and the next day go back to Antsirabe. But this are very long days in the car and is not very comfortable so I would recommend to spent at least 1 night in Fiana which is half way.

Which kind of car do you need to rent in Madagascar?

If you want to go west of Madagascar to Tsingy de Berhama you must have good 4×4 car because road is really bad, the park is closed in rainy season because cars can’t go. I think that you don’t need so expensive car to go south of Madagascar to visit Ranomafana and Isalo National Park also Toliara and Ifaty are all on tar road. If you go East of Madagascar; Andasibe National Park road is also tar road as well but after that to Sainte Marie road is bad again and you will need a 4×4. Go to Anstiranana (north of Madagascar) is also easy tar road.

We paid for our car 2.250.000 AR for 14 days. When you book a car with driver general driver accommodation and food is include the price. But not include petrol and costs for the ferry. We made approx. 3500 km in Madagascar, which cost 1.285.000 AR for fuel. The car was using diesel and 100 km 13 liters. 1-liter diesel was 3000 AR.

And of the trip we spent total 5.390.000 AR. When we were there 1 USD was 3.000 AR.

NOTE: You can contact with Tahina : 4x4raidtour@gmail.com (just write his name on subject)

About Madagascar visa

You can get a visa on arrived at the airport. 30 days visa 25 Euro or 28 USD. So nice to you have small notes with you 🙂

October 30, 2017
Angola is a beautiful country…

It was one of the country we scare about visa, at the same time We have a friend inside who can help us for visa to send invitation for Angola. Until Congo, which country we asked for Angola visa They said that we cant apply because we don’t have residence from the apply country. Finally we applied in Pointe-Noire, Congo and got it multiply entry for 30 days, which means every time when you enter Angola you have 30 days. So, we could go to Cabinda.

Life was so easy in Cabinda;

We wrote our friends that we got visa and going to Cabinda. Gisela sent us a address from one of their friend who has been living Cabinda. So, we started to write with Jorge in the border to ask about road, exchange… etc. We arrived at his address after dark. Our room was ready which is like five star rooms. We went dinner with Jorge and Arthur. Jorge was already bought a phone card for us as well. Next day we went to their Clinic and meet a lot of doctors, also ate breakfast and lunch. In the evening, we met in Arthur’s house to cook and drink, talk about life and a lot of fun. We also ride around Cabinda to see a little. People were so friendly and so much talkative.

I asked to Jorge what he knows about us. He just said that Antonio and Gisela called him and said, “Our good friend is coming. You need to take care of them.” It was enough for him to hear that. I must say that he did it very well. 😉 We were planning to stay one night and keep continue to DRC but we stayed 3 nights. They were asking to stay one night more but I know Gisela was waiting for us because we couldn’t see each other 9 years. She was one of my best friends from London; we met in the English course.

Enter Second Part of Angola

The border was crazy. We arrived to DRC border, which was so crowded. Soldiers were trying to keep the door that nobody pass it. We passed people and arrived in front. Of course people got angry but we passed it. After show our Angolan visa and motorcycles paper we entered Angola.
First night we stayed Hotel Perola, Nzeto because it was sunset. Next day we hit the road again to go Luanda and see Gisela and Antonio. It was amazing to see them 9 years later again. They got married and have two lovely kids. We didn’t know that Gisela already made a plan for us to discover Angola. After three days later she said we are going to Malanje to see waterfall and we have already a room there. I suppose that she doesn’t want to see us anymore because kick us from the house in 3 days 😉

Around Malanje is nice to see

We started to ride motorcycle in the morning and arrived to Malanje just before sunset. The road was tar but need to be careful wit potholes because you don’t know when you can hit them.

Museleje Waterfall, Angola

When we arrived to address where we stayed They were waiting for us. We had really nice room or like a little apartment. Next day morning, we went to Calandula waterful after that Museleje falls which was hard to find it but we went there. It is peaceful area and also nice for camping. When we were going to the fall we passed three villages, which are nice to see, and tried to talk a little with people. The view was nice; also road was fun to ride. After that we visit Black Rock than we turned back our room and next day we arrived to Luanda again.

Calandula Waterfall, Angola

Gisela and Antonio were waiting for us. We ride 480 km and we were tired. Our plan was sleep early but little boy Thomas who was only 11 months He decided to don’t sleep. We know that They were also tired and go to work next day. We said Antonio to gave us Thomas we can take care. 1 am, 2 am, 3 am no sleep. We almost faint in the sofa. he was just smiling and showing his toys to play. And than Gisela came to downstairs and she took Thomas who got sleep in a second in the mother’s arms 😉 Of course we woke up noon next day…

Black Rock, Angola

We stayed with then total 16 days. They showed us Luanda life and visited a lot of nice area around. But our visa was running out so we said bye bye our friends and started to ride thought Namibia.

Funny thing was that we planned to a nightclub. They asked about closed what we have. Of course we don’t have anything special with us just some t-shirts and outdoor pants. They decided that we can’t go to the nightclub and we need some clothes.

We went to their room to look for their clothes. Gisela and I, Antonio and Ferry wear same size, also for shoes as well 😉 We took what we want and got ready to the night…

Our plan was camping if we can;

First day we ride until sunset, stopped a lot for photos and enjoy with views. We found a nice spot camping and sleep well. Of course, we were sending message to Gisela where we were? She couldn’t wait our second day camping and said that we have already a room in Lobito because she had some phone calls;)

We arrived to Lobito and they showed our house which is so big and next to the sea. They said that we could stay how much we want it. We stayed two nights and enjoy the beach. We were leaving to Lobito and told to Gisela. She said that we have another house already in Lubango. They were waiting for us and we can stay again how much we want. Really!

Kubel River Gorge, Angola

If she didn’t make our life so easy in Angola We are not sure that we could stay 30 days. If you have USD or EURO with you can have crazy exchange rate on the black market but still expensive.

Lubango must to see in Angola;

We went to Lubango from Lobito in a day and took our house key (Gisela already called a places to we stay in a house) which one was amazing. We stayed 4 days there to see around. Lobito has amazing landscape. Worth to see around. We went to Tundavala to see around, little tracking and ride enjoy.

We also wanted to see some waterfall around but some of them dry or it was so hard to go even if with motorcycle.

We went to Leba Pass and passed twice 😉 before started to Leba Pass you need to pay like road tax but we don’t clue for the price look like they were writing a price what they want 🙁

We were in Angola 27 days already. So, it was time to leave. Lubango to the Namibia border was 300 km. And we love to stop everywhere to look around. Therefore, we already decided to we are not going to border same day. Before sunset we found a spot to wild camping and it was look like nothing around. 😉 Just 500 meters in front has a house but no way to see it. We stopped and wait a little to see anybody passing or not. Okay good nobody around, we can start to set up the tent we saw some women and kids behind to trees. They were watching us with very curios eyes. We shake our hands and said “Ola” They started to laugh and than went. In the night, we figure out that we were next to house. 😉

We woke up in the morning but nobody around us. If you have kids around You have no chance to have privacy because they love to look at you. We are so interest for them. We understood that the family didn’t allow to kids. We just left from the tent in 5 minutes the family came.

We were having breakfast. They saw us and didn’t come closed and disturb us. When we saw them we couldn’t eat anymore alone and shared what we have. We tired to talk a little; most we used again body language. They were so nice, friendly and also so shy. We had some cans, jams… etc. we decided to give them all. And than we went to road for pass the border. And all day we told about the family.

We really like Angola so much. It is beautiful country. At the same time, thank you so much our friends Gisela and Antonio who made our life so easy there. I hope that we will see each other again somewhere and This time, I wish not 9 years to wait for that again.

October 25, 2017