Category Archives: 2011 | Amsterdam-Dakar

Looking back now, with only a weeks distance from the trip, and with a new challenge in Turkey coming up next week, this was certainly a splendid trip. I’m still not entirely sure as to “Why Dakar”, it certainly wasn’t … Continue reading →

Amsterdam|Dakar – Day 22 – Dakar, Senegal September 23rd, 2011 Bike has to be left to the airport today but need to buy a baggy or two to put clothes in to take back on the flight. The rest I’ll … Continue reading →

September 22nd, 2011 Not the earliest start, but brekkie of french pastries and coffee and orange juice (with bits) and get the bike packed. I can’t quite believe that we will finally actually make it to Dakar – the bike … Continue reading →

September 21st, 2011 Set out early after another brekkie of baguettes and croissants. In usual fashion there is little in the way of signposts to get out of the city. But thanks to the odd policeman we make it out. … Continue reading →

September 20th, 2011 Today has officially been designated a recovery and administrative day ……… which means essentially that when I recover from my hangover I will do some admin and work out how to get me and the bike back … Continue reading →

September 19th, 2011 Today I have arranged to meet Willem van der Sanden from Maersk Logistics, and it’s a non road day. Hopefully there’s a Maersk fixer guy/agent down on the border with Senegal. I don’t have a Carnet de … Continue reading →

September 18th, 2011 Up early and more laughing cow cheese on baquettes for brekkie. The coffee is not as good here as in Morocco, all instant with hot milk. A few adjustments and pack the bike. Head off, but first … Continue reading →

September 17th, 2011 The plan is to leave today for Nouakchott, however my contact, Willem van der Sanden is in Spain and not back until Sunday. So decided to explore Nouhadibou and have a non road day. I’m also a … Continue reading →

September 16th, 2011 Early start and manage to have breakfast – bread and the Laughing Red Cow spreadable cheese (La Vache qui rit – yes I think it’s hilarious too!!). Hit the road around 10am and head back out to … Continue reading →

September 15th, 2011 This is today’s cunning plan! More from the road later. (I’m in Tarfaya, feels like the end of the earth – but there’s high speed WiFi! Yeay) Manage early start and a sort of breakfast – which … Continue reading →

September 14th, 2011 Covering the 636km from Agadir to Laayoune was the mission today. It was extremely slow going getting out of Agadir and got lost more than once in the southern burbs, and stuck behind the odd donkey as … Continue reading →

Hmmm, looks like the shock might have blown, time for some road trip mechanicing and a stop at the local Kawasaki dealership in Agadir before heading south ….. seems like getting the old girl to Dakar and bureaucracy are the … Continue reading →

September 12th, 2011 Got to the front door of the Mauritania embassy at 8.30am. Met a Dutch guy and a South African who are driving from Holland to Ghana. They’re selling their car there and will apparently fly back, we … Continue reading →

September 11th, 2011 Went back to the medina to get my boot re-repaired, for free, and got some more fiche printed out. These are just pieces of paper with all your passport details, and not forgetting your mother’s and father’s … Continue reading →

September 10th, 2011 Slow morning and long breakfast – the after effects of the usual bottle of champagne with Amine. Have internet access again so time to update the blog. My boot needs repaired again … I think some nails … Continue reading →

September 9th, 2011 Nice Moroccan breakfast, french bread, jam, laughing red cow cheese (La vache qui rit) and the usual strong milky coffee. Decide leaving early is a good idea as getting out of the Medina, let alone getting out … Continue reading →

September 8th, 2011 The local vino also seems to be a potent source of a sore head the following morning. But up and take a look around the medina, and get utterly lost. But there are lots of great cafes … Continue reading →

September 6th, 2011 Strong coffee out on the terasse and a pastry for breakfast in yet more bright sunshine. Nice to see the sun again for more than several hours straight. The plan is to head out to the Mauritanian … Continue reading →

September 5th, 2011 Up and have a proper breakfast for a change, followed by a few quick emails and telephone calls to tie up loose ends, and also write up Day 3 for the blog. Then heading to the Ferry … Continue reading →

September 3rd, 2011 A bright but slightly overcast day on the Loire. Pack up the bike and set off south towards Bordeaux some 330km to the south. By late morning I am crossing the Gironde having just crossed through the … Continue reading →

September 2nd, 2011 Some sensible people would say that if you want to travel the 5900km odd from Amsterdam to Dakar in Senegal in West Africa – take a plane. Simple, hop on the train to Schiphol and in a … Continue reading →

Well it’s one week before leaving on the southbound leg of the great bike journey from Amsterdam to Dakar and back. Packing list is mostly under control and  various bases of operations are in place along the way in Morocco, … Continue reading →