Birthday trip

This morning started a bit crazy. Bernardo, our driver, arrived 30 minutes too late. Then he rushed down the streets in stress, didn't yield and crashed the car into a Candongueiro, the notorious blue-and-white Luanda taxi. Bang!

Bernardo moved our car away from the crossroad. Curious passersby gathered quickly pointing and discussing the accident.



We had to wait quite a while to get a new car. This time we didn't hear Bernardo's  usual "Não tem problema".
Another car arrived and we could continue our trip. With another driver! Was this the last time we saw Bernardo?
We had to stop at the gas station first.  This is a place we would normally never go.  The view of armed security guards is not unusual here in Luanda but still doesn't give me any safe feelings.

Finally we could head to the south, to Tarpon Lodge at Barra do Kwanza, our today's destination.
We were about to celebrate Maarten's birthday since 8 years ago the happiest day of my life!
Maarten didn't want to have a party but he made his own program that we were eager to follow.



But because of the accident all just went different. We couldn't be at the river on time for our boat so they let other people before us.
We spent long time waiting but except of the heat it wasn't  an unpleasant time. 

Catching crabs, playing with the ball and exploring the surroundings, everything better than in the city!

We had lunch there on the riverfront restaurant and did our boat safari in the afternoon instead of early morning.

We didn't see many animals, no crocodiles, only some monkeys, colorful birds and many palm-nut vultures.  

But the nature was beautiful with its varied lush riverine vegetation.

 I only wish there was a different way to enjoy the scenery. The diesel engine was far too loud! Such a shame.

 

Surprisingly, Bernardo awaited as at the lodge with a smile.
He told us that the taxi driver was drunk and with no driving license and therefore he ended up in jail! I was shocked knowing that the accident was caused by Bernardo. I know that the Candongueiros are the biggest hazard in Luanda streets, they are ill maintained, their drivers are usually with no license and often drunk, they dart in and out of traffic with no regards for any others.
But still...

We've passed by here many times, but we never actually stopped at Miradouro da Lua (Moon Valley Viewpoint).  The fascinating landscape here is a result of natural erosion.

Bernardo said there are no mines around Luanda, not until the Kwanza River Bridge. So maybe we can do a little bit more of exploring here in the future. Also Maarten was tempted to descend down into the gullies among the sharp pinnacles.

Happy Birthday dear Maarten!
Your day was a little more adventurous than planned but no less fun and I hope you enjoyed it the same way as we did!

Water issue at CCD

Two days ago while taking shower in the evening I noticed a funny smell like oil or diesel fuel.
In the morning we received a message that we are not allowed to use the tap water for drinking or cooking because of its smell of hydrocarbons.
We received bottled water to use instead before they will clean the water holding tanks.
Later that day the services team along with a technician from the National Lab have investigated the water and reported hydrocarbon contamination.
The cause of this event is unknown.

The contaminated water needs to be pumped out, (which comes with a huge noise, I´m sitting here with earplugs!), before they can clean the water tanks and flush all the lines.

They started later than planned, which is not unusual here, so we are without water since yesterday afternoon.
Last night we were offered to move in a hotel but that means another distress.
We prefer to stay at home as long as possible, only the idea of being forced to pack everything needed for a couple of days!
I´m worried about my plants.

Let´s look at the bright side!
We still have the pool.
So convenient for flushing the toilets!

Camping at Cabo Ledo

This week I bought a two persons tent for the occasional boy scouts trips. Only a couple of days later we got invitation to go camp with our friends. I returned to the store and bought a second tent same size. I know, buying a tent is not such a big deal but this is Angola!!!

I saw tents here in the past, they were at least from the seventies and 3 times more expensive! Therefore I was lucky and very happy with my two tiny Bush Babies packages.

Our friends still haven't decided which beach they are going to stay overnight. That might be a problem as we need to follow some security guidelines issued by Rob's company. And we were already too late to apply for the clearance as it needed to be submitted at least one week before the planned trip!! So there was not much hope we will succeed in obtaining the permit and it was definitely not a good idea to make Maarten excited either. But unbelievably, on late Friday late afternoon we got the approval!

We drove down to Cabo Ledo, the famous surfers beach! While passing the Kwanza River Bridge, place of our security boundaries, we were called by the security to checked off the safe area. After less than 2 hours drive 120 km south of Luanda we got a nice view of the beach at Cabo Ledo down the valley. Descending down to the beach on the dusty dirt road full of potholes and big rocks was quite adventurous.


We pitched our tents, it was very hot, no shade. Some local boys built shelters of sticks and palm leaves which you can hire to get a tiny shady place. But the people we went with already settled further away from those shabby structures. The locals would also carry your bags to and from the car and they'd also provide you with firewood for the evening. A bunch of wood cost us 2000 Kwanza (= 20 US$), I have no idea how much was the shade, but it used to be 500 Kz for the day. They also asked money for the parking spot but our driver just brought us in and left again. So when the boys surrounded our car asking for money he scolded them for impudence and left. We didn't even dare to interfere.

It was very busy already when we arrived and it was getting even busier. Monday was a national holiday in Angola therefore most people had a day off and headed out of the city. Some people were surprised that we dare to go camping here in Angola that it might be dangerous. I didn't feel any danger at all. Moreover I felt actually very safe there. But I have to admit it was strange sight when a huge jet flew very low over the beach several times. There actually is a military commando camp quite near.

In the morning the beach was teeming with big crabs so it was better to keep the tent closed.

The cliffs are beautiful and so is the beach. The only downer here that there are no restrooms so when you have to go behind the bush you need to climb up the very steep cliffs or you have to hold it.

There was a little lagoon where the children were playing in and fishing for crabs and small fish.

The water was very warm and even more dirty. After the night when a big group of Angolans were enjoying a loud party it even smelled of urine.

But neither the kids nor the crabs did mind.

Good care was taken of them as they even made a shady coop for them. Unfortunately, not every crab appreciated that.

Great wave!

The swimming was divine! There were also many of Maarten's teachers including the favorite ones. I felt sorry for them as the kids kept following them but seemingly they didn't mind.

It was really hot and we were glad when the sun finally disappeared behind the high cliffs and we could finally light the BBQ.

The kids impatiently waited for their campfire and roasted marshmallows.

At last!