browsinaboutonabike.com
  • Armenia 18/4/2016
  • Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • 2-3/4/2016 Trabzon to Batumi, Georgia
    • 21-27/3/2016 Atakent to Trabzon >
      • 12-21/3/2016 Cide to Akakent >
        • 6-11/3/2016 Eregli to Cide
  • 26/2-4/3/2016 Istanbul to Eregli
    • Istanbul 15-25/2/2016 >
      • London 30/1-15/2/2016 >
        • Istanbul 19-30/1/2016
  • Proposed Journey East from Istanbul, March 2016
  • Sth Africa 6-19/1/2016
    • South Africa 6/12/2015 to 6/1/2016
  • Namibia 24/10-5/12/2015
    • Namibia 1/10/2015 to 23/10/2015
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 21/8/2015 Malawi
  • 30/7-20/8/2015 Kigoma to Malawi Border
    • 21-30/7/2015 Tanzanian border to Kigoma, Lake Tanganyika >
      • 18-20/7/2015 Kigali to Tanzanian border >
        • 12-15/7/2015 Gisenyi to Kigali >
          • 10-11/7/2015 Rwandan border to Gisenyi
          • 15th June to 8th July Uganda
  • Last days in Kenya
    • 1-6/6/2015 Meru to Nyahururu >
      • 28-31/05/2015 Kenol to Meru >
        • 2011-16 Map >
          • 12-18/10/2014 Beausejour to St Laurent do Maroni >
            • 7-11/10/2014 St Georges to Beausejour, French Guiana >
              • 3-7/10/2014 Amapá, Brazil to St Georges, French Guiana >
                • 1-2/10/2014 Porto Grande to Amapá, AP >
                  • 26-29/9/2014 Macapá to Porto Grande >
                    • 16-23/9/2014 Almeirim to Macapá >
                      • 11-16/9/2014 Rurópolis to Almeirim, PA,BR >
                        • New Page
                        • 13/8-10/9/2014 Rurópolis, BR to Christchurch, NZ, return >
                          • 2-12/8/2014 Altamira to Ruropolis >
                            • 1-4/8/2014 Pacajá to Altamira, PA >
                              • 29/7-1/8/2014 Marabá to Pacajá, PA, BR230
        • 21-28/5/2015 Ongata to Kenol >
          • 5-21/5/2015 Iten to Ongata Rongai, Nairobi >
            • 2-6/5/2015 Kitale to Iten >
              • 1-2/5/2015 Lodwar to Kitale, Kenya >
                • Kenya: Omorate to Lodwar 20/04- 1/05/2015
  • 12-18/4/2015 Abra Minche to Omorate, Ethiopia
    • 3-10/4/2015 Waliso to Abra Minch >
      • 16-30/3/2015 Dese to Waliso, Ethiopia >
        • Ethiopia 9-16/3/2015 Me'kele to Dese >
          • 19/2-8/3/2015 Ethiopia
  • 25/1-18/2/2015 Sudan
  • 16-17 Luxor to Aswan
    • 8-15/1/2015 Asyut to Luxor >
      • 7-10/1/2015 Giza to Asyut
  • 1-6/1/2015 Cairo
    • Proposed passage Cairo to Cape Town Jan 2015 >
      • 21/10-12/11/2014 Suriname and Guyana
  • Updated Gear List
  • Rodovia Transamazônica
  • 21- 25/7/2014 Redencáo to Marabá, PA
    • Pará: 17-22/7/2014 Confresa, MT to Redencao, PA >
      • 9-13/7/2014 Nova Xavantina to Confreza, MT >
        • 3-4/7/2014 Barra do Garcas to Nova Xavantina >
          • 26-31/6/2014 Rondonópolis to Barra Do Garcas, MT >
            • 20-23/6/2014 Rio Verde, MS to Rondonópolis, MT >
              • 13-17/6/2014 Bonito to Rio Verde de Mato Grosso >
                • 9-11/6/2014 Jardim to Bonito MS, BR >
                  • 7-9/6/2014 Pedro Juan Caballero, PY to Jardim,BR >
                    • 9,10,11/5/2014 Remanso to Concepción onboard MV Osmar >
                      • 6-7/5/2014 Remanso,PY >
                        • 6/5/2014 Asunción to Remanso, PY >
                          • 27/4-2/5/2014 Foz do Iguaco, BR to Asunción, PY >
                            • 24-26/4/2014 Andresito to Puerto Iguazu >
                              • 19-21/4/2014 El Soberbio to San Antonio, AR >
                                • 16-17/4/2014 El Progreso to El Soberbio, AR >
                                  • 13-15/4/2014 Apóstoles to El Progreso >
                                    • 28/3-1/4/2014 Buenos Aires,AR to Paysandu, UY >
                                      • Profile Paysandu to Brazil
                                    • 9-12/4/2014 Tapebicuá to Apóstoles, AR >
                                      • 8/4/2013 Sawmill, north of Bonpland to 3km sth of Tapebicuá
                    • 28-30/5/2014 Concepción to Pedro Juan Caballero PY >
                      • 23-25/5/2014 Aquidaban back to Concepción >
                        • 16-20/5/2014 Tres Gigantes Estación Biologica >
                          • 14-16/5/2014 Vallemi to Bahia Negra on the Aquidaban >
                            • 13/5/2014 Bus trip Concepción to Vallemi
                    • 1-6/6/2014, Pedro Juan Caballero
  • 25/1/2014 USHUAIA
    • 23-24/1/2014 Rio Grande to Rio Lasifashaj >
      • 22-23/1/2013 Punta Arenas, CL to Rio Grande, AR >
        • 16-19/1/2014 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas >
          • 14-15/1/2014 Torres Del Paine National Park, CL >
            • 8-12/1/2014 El Calafate to Puerto Natales >
              • 1-7/1/2013 Villa O'Higgins, CL to El Calafate, AR >
                • 27-31/12/2013 Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins >
                  • 19-26/12/2013 Coyhaique to Cochrane >
                    • 12-18/12/2013 Rio Santiago Bastia to Coyhaique >
                      • 6-12/12/2013 La Piedra del Gato to Mañihuales >
                        • 5-9/12/2013 Quellón to La Junta, CL >
                          • 29/11/2013 5/12/2013 Castro to Quellón, Chiloe, CL >
                            • 24/11/2013 Puerto Montt to Castro >
                              • 16-23/11/2013, San Martín, AR to Puerto Montt, CL >
                                • 9-14/11/2013 Temuco, CL to San Martín de los Andes, AR
                                • Cunco to Temuco and Santiago by bus
                                • Untitled
                                • 20,21/10/2013 Malargue to Los Frisos,AR
                                • 22-29/10/2013 Las Frisas, AR to Cunco,CL
  • 13/3/2012 Penonomé to Playa Gorgona
    • 14/3/2011 Playa Gorgona to Panama City
    • 15,16/3/2011 Panama City >
      • 14/4/2012, Shelter bay & Gatun Locks >
        • 15,16/4/2012 Canal transit >
          • 17/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina onboard SV Bijou >
            • Feb 2014, An account of a road trip in New Zealand
          • 18,19/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina
      • 17.../3/2012 Onboard SV Moondance, Brisas de Amador >
        • 25 March to 9 April, Gorgona, PC,Las Bresas >
          • 11/4/2012, Shelter Bay Marina,SV Bijou
          • 12/4/2012, Shelter Bay, and a bit of exploring
        • 11/3/2012 Las Lajas to Santiago >
          • 12/3/2012, Santiago to Penonomé
  • 7/4/2013 Bella Unión, UY to north of Bonpland, AR
    • 4-6/4/2014 Salto to Bella Unión, UY >
      • 2-3/4/2014 Termas de Guaviyú to Salto
  • Overnight Stop Map
    • 20-27/4/2012 Passage Portobelo to Santa Marta, Colombia
    • 28-29/2012 Santa Marta
  • Chile to Argentina (click on this header for an entry)
    • 6/9/2013 59km up the road camping
    • 7/9/2013 the corner to Paso Jama, Argentina
    • 8/9/2013 Paso Jama to adobe ruins on Salar de Olaroz
    • 9/9/2013 Ruins to south of Susques
    • 10/9/2013 Sth of Susques to bottom of range, camping >
      • 11/9/2013 bottom of the range to Purmamarca
      • 12/9/2013 Purmamarca to Lake campground near Salta >
        • 13,14/9/2013 Dique Cobre Corral to Salta,AR >
          • Salta south >
            • 17/9/2013 Quebrada De Las Conchas to Cafayate
      • 19/9/2013 Cafayate to 15km to Rio El Tesaro, camping >
        • 20/9/2013 Rio El Tesaro to Rio Belén, sth of Hualfin
      • 21/9/2013 Rio Belén to Belén >
        • 22/9/2013 Belén to a creek bed 42km sth
        • 23/9/2013 creek bed to 10km nth of Pituil
        • 25/9/2013 north of Pituil to Chilecito
        • 25-30/9/2013 Chilecito, AR
        • 1-7/10/2013 Chilecito to Caucete, AR >
          • 9-12/10/2013 Caucete to Tunuyán, AR
      • 13-15/10/2013 Caucete to San Rafael, AR >
        • 17/10/2013 San Rafael to Malargue, AR
  • Chile from 28/8/2013
    • 29/8/2013 Ascotán to Chiu Chiu
    • 30/8/2013 Chiu Chiu to Calama, CL
    • 31/8,1/9/2013 Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, CL
  • 20/7/2013 Titicaca area to Bolivian border
    • 20/7/2013 Sicuani to Santa Rosa >
      • 21/7/2013 Santa Rosa to Juliaca >
        • 22/7/2013 Juliaca to 6km past Huancané >
          • 23/2013 Huancané to Conima, camping >
            • 24/7/2013 near Conima, Peru to Puerto Acosta, Bolivia >
              • 25/7/2013 Puerto Acosta to Nth of Ancoraimes
  • 26/7/2013 Nth of Ancoraimes to Achacachi
    • 27/7/2013 Achacachi to Copacabana >
      • 28,29/7/2013 Copacabana BO, Kasani PE, Copa. BO
      • 30/7/2013 Copacabana, BO to Desaguadero, PE
      • 31/7/2013 Desaguadero, PE to El Alto, BO
      • 1,2/8/2013 El Alto to La Paz
      • 3,4,5/8/2013 La Paz
      • 8/08/2103 La Paz to Nth of Ayo Ayo, Camping
      • 9/8/2013 Nth of Ayo Ayo to south of Villa, camping >
        • 10/8/2013 Sth of Villa to just sth of Oruro, camping >
          • 11/8/2013 Sth of Ororo to Sth of Pazna, camping >
            • 12/8/2013 Sth of Poopo to Challapata >
              • 13,to17/8/2013 Challapata to Jirira 18-26/8 to Ollague,Chile
  • Peru 20/4/2013.....
    • 20-22/4/2013, Macará to Olmos, PE
    • 23-27/4/2013 Olmos to Chachapoyas,PE
    • 27/4/2013, Chachapoyas, PE
    • Chachapoyas to Cajamarca, PE >
      • 1/5/2013 Lejmebamba to Cerros de Calla-Calla >
        • 2/5/2013 Cerros de Calla-Calla to Balsas >
          • 3/4/2013 Balsas to a farm house overlooking Limon >
            • 4/5/2013 farm house campsite to south of Celendin >
              • 5,6/5/2013 Sth of Celendin to Cajamarca
    • 7/5/2013 Cajamarca to 9km before Cajabamba >
      • 8/5/2013, 9 km north of Cajabamba to Laguna Sousacocha >
        • 11/5/2013 Haumachuco to Trujillo
        • 9,10/5/2013 Laguna Sausacocha to Huamachuco
      • 18/5/2013 Lima
      • 23-25/5/2013 Trujillo to Caraz, PE >
        • 26,27/5/2013 Caraz to Huaraz, PE >
          • 28/5/2013 Huaraz to 34km south of Pachocoto,PE >
            • 29/5/2013 Farm 25km past Chacapoto to 12km on Huánuco Rd >
              • 30/5/2013,12km up Huanuco road to camp at 4600m >
                • 31/5/2013 near summit to La Union
    • 1/6/2013 Huánaco to camp near Acobamba >
      • 2,3/6/2013 Camping near Acobamba to Huánuco
    • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to Cuzco and Machu Picchu >
      • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to south of Mariscal Cáceres, camping >
        • 17/6/2013 sth Mariscal Cáceres 4km sthLa Esmeralda,camping >
          • 18/6/2013 Sth of La Esmaralda to Huanta >
            • 19/6/2013 Huanta to Ayacucho
  • 22/6/2013 Ayaucucho to top of pass before Ocros, 4200m
    • 23/6/2013 cerca la cumbre a 5km sur de Puente Pampas >
      • 23/6/2013 Sur de Puente Pampas a 5km este de Uripa >
        • 24/6/2013 above Uripa to Andahualas >
          • 25/6/2013 Andahuaylas to 10km below the summit >
            • 26/6/2013 near the summit to Puente Pachachaca >
              • 29/6/2013 Abancay to Curahuasi >
                • 30/6/2013 Curahuasi to a camp on the Rio Apurimac >
                  • 1/7/2013 Rio Apurimac to Izcuchaca >
                    • 2/7/2013 Izcuchaca and Cuzco >
                      • 4,5/7/2013 Izcuchaca to Cuzco >
                        • 9,10,11/7/2013 Cuzco to Machu Picchu >
                          • 11-16/7/2013 Cuzco >
                            • 17/7/2013 Cuzco to Quiquijana camping on el Rio Vilcanota
              • 27,28/6/2013 Puente Pachachaca to Abancay
  • 4/6/2013 Huánuco to just south of Huariaca
    • 5/6/2013 Huariaco to Cerro De Pasco >
      • 7,8/5/2013 Cerro De Pasco >
        • 8/6/2013 Cerro De Pasco to Junín >
          • 9/6/2013 Junín to 20km south of La Aroya, camping >
            • 10/6/2013 Sth of La Aroya to Huancayo
  • Medellín to Ushuaia, 2013 (april 2013 here,)
    • 31/1/13 Riosucio to Anserma >
      • 1/2/2013 Anserma to Cartago >
        • 6/12/2015 to 4/1/2016 South Africa
        • 2/2/2013 Cartago to Buga >
          • 3/2/2013 Buga all day >
            • 4,5/2/2013 Buga to Cali >
              • 6/2/2013 Cali to Piendamo
    • 27/1 Medellín to Bolombolo
    • 28/1 Bolombolo to La Pintada >
      • 29/1/13 La Pintada to Supia >
        • 30/1/13 Supía to Riosucio
      • 8/2/2013 Timbio to El Bordo >
        • 6/3/2013, San Clemente to Manta, EC >
          • 7/3/2013 Manta,EC all day >
            • 9/3/2013, Manta to Tena by bus >
              • 12,13,14,15 Tena to Limoncocha >
                • 16,17/3/2013 Manta >
                  • 18-23 Manta, Galapagos, Manta >
                    • 24,25/3/2013 Manta to Machalilla NP, EC >
                      • 26/3/2013 Machalillo NP to Machalillo >
                        • 27/3/2013 Machalilla to Puerto Lopez >
                          • 228,29,30/3/2013 Puerto Lopez, EC >
                            • Untitled
                            • 31/3/2013, Puerto Lopez to Ayungue, EC
      • 19/2/2013 Otavalo, Ecuador all day >
        • 20/2/2013 Otavalo to Sth of Otón, Ecuador >
          • 21/2/2013 Otón to Quito >
            • 22,23/2/2013 Quito, Hotel Húngaro >
              • 26/2/2013 Quito to Tandapi, EC
      • 27/2/2013 Tandapi to El Carmen, EC >
        • 28/2/2013, El Carmen to Pedernales, EC >
          • 2/3/2013 Pedernales to Tabuga >
            • 3/3/2013 Tabuga to Canoa >
              • 30/4/2012 Last day Santa Marta >
                • 1/5/2012 Santa Marta to Barranquilla
                • 2/5/2012 Barranquilla to Santa Veronica
                • 3/5/2012 Santa Veronica all day >
                  • 4-5/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 6-7/5/2012 Santa Veronica >
                • 8,9 &10/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 11/5/2012 Santa Veronica to Cartagena >
                • 12/5/2012 Cartagena all day >
                  • 13/5/2012 Cartagena to San Jacinto >
                    • 14/5/2012 San Jacinto to Sincelejo >
                      • 15/5/2012 Sincelejo to San Bernado >
                        • 16/5/2012 San Bernado to Puerto Escondido >
                          • 17,18/ 5 /2012, Puerto Escondido >
                            • 19/5/2012, Puerto Escondido to Planeta Rico >
                              • 20/5/2012 Planeta Rica to Caucasia >
                                • Untitled
                                • Untitled
                                • 21/5/2012, Caucasia to Tarazá >
                                  • 22/5/2012, Tarazá to Valdivia >
                                    • 23/5/2012, Valdivia to Yarumal >
                                      • 24/5/2012, Yarumal for the day >
                                        • 25/5/2012 Yarumal to Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                          • 26/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                            • 27/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos to Medellin >
                                              • 28/7 2011, Hannibal to Grafton
              • 5/3/2013, Canoa to San Clemente,EC
      • 9/2/2013 El Bordo to Tablon (April 2013 here) >
        • 1/4/2013 Ayungue to Salinas, EC >
          • 2/4/2013 Salinas to Posorjas,EC >
            • 3/4/2013 Posorja to San Carlos,EC >
              • 4/4/2013, San Carlos to Angas,EC >
                • 5/4/2013, Angas to Soldados, EC >
                  • 6/4/2013, Soldados to Cuenca >
                    • 7-9/4/2013, Cuenca, EC >
                      • 10-14/4/2013 Cuenca to Loja >
                        • 14-18/4/2013 Loja to Macará, EC >
                          • 7/2/2013 Piendamo to Timbio
      • 10,11/2/2013 Tablon to Chacahgui
      • 12/2/2013 Chachagui to Yucuanquer
      • 13,14,15/2/2013 Yucuanquer to Ipiales >
        • 16/2/2013 Ipiales to Bolivar, Ecuador >
          • 17/2/2013 Bolivar to nth of Ibarra, Ecuador >
            • 18/2/2013 Nth of Ibarra to Otavalo, Ecuador
    • Colombia 2012
  • Terrain Profiles
  • Nicaragua
  • Blog
  • Memphis to Venice, LA
  • Home and August entries
    • 8/8/2011 Sweetwater to Salida >
      • 9/8/2011 Salida to 3m North of Cripple Creek, CO >
        • 10/8/2011 Cripple Creek to Phantom Canyon >
          • 11/8/2011 Phantom Canyon to Pueblo >
            • 12/8/2011 Kansa to Warrensberg, MO >
              • 13/8/2011 Warrensberg to Clinton, MO >
                • 14/8/2011 Clinton to Sedalia >
                  • 15/8/2011 Sedalia to Tipton >
                    • 16/8/2011 Tipton all day >
                      • 17/8/2011 Tipton to Red Oak Park ,Lake of the Ozarks >
                        • 18/8/2011 Lake of the Ozarks all Day >
                          • 19/8/2011 Red Oak all day >
                            • 20/8/2011 Red Oak Park to Boonville >
                              • 21/8/2011 Boonville to Columbia >
                                • 22/8/2011 Columbia all day >
                                  • Untitled
                                  • 22/8/2011 Columbia to Portland >
                                    • 24/8/2011 Portland to Defiance >
                                      • 25/8/2011 Machens to Portage Des Sioux >
                                        • 26,27,28/8/2011Portage Des Sioux to Alton >
                                          • 29/8/2011 Alton to Columbia >
                                            • 30/8/2011 Columbia to Chester >
                                              • 31/8/2011 Chester to Grand Tower >
                                                • 1/9/2011 Grand Tower, IL to Wickliffe, KY >
                                                  • 2/9/2011 Wickliffe to Columbia, KY >
                                                    • 5/9/2011Tiptonville TN to Ripley TN
                                                    • Untitled
                                                    • 3-4/9/2011 Colmbus to Hickman, KY >
                                                      • 6/9/2011 Ripley Meeman- Shelby SP >
                                                        • Untitled
                                                        • 7/9/2011 Meeman-Shelby to Memphis
    • The proposed itinerary
    • A few words about the river
    • My Bike
    • Journal- Intro
    • Journal Entries late July early August >
      • 29/7/11 Grafton all day >
        • 30/7/2011 Grafton To Alton >
          • 31/7/11 Alton all day >
            • 1/8/2011 Alton all day >
              • 2,3/8/2011 Alton to Colarado Springs >
                • 3/8/2011 Colarado Springs >
                  • 4/8/2011, Colarado Springs >
                    • 5/8/2011 Colarado Springs Day 2
                  • 6/8/2011 Pueblo Dakota Springs >
                    • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot Springs to Texas Creek >
                      • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot springs to Texas Creek
    • The Gear list
  • Sydney to International Falls
    • IF to Northome >
      • Northome to Three Island Lake >
        • Three Island Lake to Itasca State Park >
          • Itasca Park full day 1 >
            • Itasca Park full day 2
  • Itasca to 4m north of Walker
    • 21/6/11 Walker to dare I say it Park Rapids
    • 22/6/11 Park Rapids all day >
      • 23/6/11 Park Rapids to sth of Walker
    • 24/6/11 Sth of Walker to Oak Haven Resort
    • 25/6/11 Oak Haven to Bena
    • 26/6/11 Bena for the day >
      • 27/6/11 Bena, from my tent to the shop and back
  • 28/6/11 Bena to Grand Rapids
  • 29/06/11 Grand Rapids to Pallisade
    • 30/06/11 Palisade to Crosby
    • 1/07/11 Crosby to Royalton
    • 2/07/2011 Royalton to St Cloud >
      • 3/07/2011 St Cloud to Monticello >
        • 4/7/2011 Monticello to Ham Lake >
          • Ham Lake all day >
            • 6/7/2011 Ham Lake to Prescott, WI >
              • 7/6/2011 Prescott to Pepin
          • 8/7/2011 Pepin to Perrot SP
    • 9/7/2011 Perrot SP to Wabasha, MN
  • 10/7/2011 Wabasha to Hastings
  • 16-17/1/2015 Luxor to Aswan
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 11/7/2011 Hastings to Wabasha
    • 12/7/2011 Wabasha to Lansing,IA >
      • 13/7/2011 Lansing all day >
        • 14/7/2011 Lansing to Pikes Peak SP >
          • 15/7/2011 Pikes peak SP to Dubuque, IA >
            • 16/7/2011, Dubuque to Bellevue >
              • 17/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                • 18/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                  • 19/7/2011, Bellevue to Silvas, IL
          • 20/7/2011, Moline for the Day >
            • 21/7/2011, Moline to Loud Thunder Park >
              • 22/7/2011, Loud Thunder park to Keithsberg >
                • 23/07/2011, Keithbergs to Fort madison, IA >
                  • 24/7/2011, Fort Madison to Nauvoo
                • 25/7/2011, Nauvoo to Quincy >
                  • 26/7/2011 Quincy all day
    • Granada to Panama, Feb 27 >
      • 9, 10/3/2011 Servo to Playa Las Lajas
  • 8/5/2017 Tehran
Picture
6/6/2015 Nyahururu

Fine

On awakening, it was found Ben was not feeling too well. He was still unable to stomach food. So we decided to stay the day.

He could not leave here without fuel in his tank.

 Last night there was someone hammering on the door trying to get into the hotel. This seemed to go on forever.

Noises like this at night no longer bother me. The Christian Orthodox Church across the road from a hotel in Ethiopia calling all night and almost shaking the building with the message and in Peru near Cerro de Pasco the Bolivian brass instrument music, again all night, whilst ill, makes any other night time disturbances seem like bed time stories.

Our rooms were fitting of the price we payed. None of our toilets worked. Luckily, they had doors.

They were soiled for the duration. My hand basin drained water onto the floor. It was a sleep in your sleeping bag affair.

No bed bugs though, so full marks on that one. People were forever just walking into my room if the door was ajar.

The morning was spent trying to get some reading glasses, my eyes were tested.

I finally settled on some cheap generic 2.5 strength lenses.

Up at the corner of where we were staying a woman was selling fresh fruit salad, this was enjoyed. She cut the fruit as it was ordered.

It was decided to get Ben some Ciprol and get him on this for a short 5 day course.

The guys also bought some Secnidizol to take later for worms and parasites in their stomachs.

We ate well, at least Cal and I did. Across from the Spears supermarket in the main street was a great cafe selling very well presented food. Both Cal and I benefited from the food Ben could not eat.

By the time, the evening came Ben was feeling a tad better and ate a few things from his plate, again at the same cafe.

I spent the afternoon in an internet cafe, the internet was slow and patchy as usual. It is a tedious job uploading photos to my blog.

Keeping this account of my travels has been a great way to add purpose to these journeys. In the spoken word, I enjoy mixing words for effect. I try to do so in the written word as well. However to be creative it takes a certain place and most definitely a state of mind. Importantly, if these accounts are ever to be elaborated upon at a later stage the backbone is in place.

Some days when writing I am in the zone and the words flow beautifully, others days upon completion nothing more than a basic diary of accounts has been documented.

I have a seed of an idea for some writings, loosely based around a cycle adventure. However, like said, the creative zone has to be found to germinate the seed into something that inspires myself to take it through to fruiting and all along the way be interesting to others.

Time will tell.

Importantly these words and the music on my blog will hopefully rekindle many memories later in my life and in doing so provide inspiration for something unique to be documented.

It’s great to have dreams.

7/6/2015 Nyahururu to Nakuru

D78, T4.2, Av17.53, max70, 41,409 6,287

Wet morning, cloudy humid day no more than 25 degrees

Ben was feeling alot better, but still really had not eaten for 3 days. He did have a good breakfast.

We were on the road at our designated time of about 0800. Things were wet but always dry out very quickly. Cal had checked out the trip profile. It was to be an easy ride.

Gentle slopes both up and down to the edge of the Rift valley, then rapidly down and back up again and the all down into Nakuru. Ben would cope with this kind of leisurely ride even on a half full stomach. Some 15km out of Nyahururu we stopped for mendasi and chai.

I told Ben I would not log this but it is amusing, on leaving the cafe, he could not find his trip computer that he mostly takes from his bike when we go in an eatery.

Anyway, on leaving he could not find it we went back in and asked. There were some children watching us eat. They immediately got the blame.

He was really annoyed, as he left. Anyway, to cut a long story short some half hour later he found it in his hat on his head of all places. It was very amusing. Later on just to rub salt into the wound I told Ben I had just found my reading glasses.

“Where”, he said. “In my hat”!!  I replied. It was great he had found it.

The riding was indeed easy, there was little traffic. Many people were walking along the roadside, well dressed and going to their respective churches. Of which there are dozens.

Many are in tin sheds, almost all are dodgy evangelical set ups with the most ridiculous names. Like the Winners Church or the Redemption church.

A woman stopped Cal and I and started telling us how Christ is coming back. I said I will come and see you in 20 years and we will talk again.

Everyone is entitled to his or her beliefs.

We soon got to the look out over the Rift Valley, it was spectacular, we stopped here for sometime, took pics and got hounded by guys selling stuff. Cal bought a little bracelet.

It was a rapid descent down from 2500 to 2050m.

Then almost straight back up again. The road was patchy in places and could not be trusted at speed.

Up on the plateau on the other side of the village of Subukia, there were tea and coffee plantations. We had been crossing the equator 3 times during the trip as the road snaked across the line of zero latitude.

A stop was made in a small village for fresh veges at the little market. Fillings were bought to have in rolls at our hotel.

This is my second time in Nakuru, it could not be avoided as there are few roads that skirt the large city. Those that do are dirt and would become impassable in the rain we are still getting most evenings and early mornings.

We looked for other hotels out of town but returned to the Indica down from Nakumatt where I stayed last time. The owner gave me a discount as I was a regular, booking 3 rooms he was happy.

 

We had a relaxing afternoon eating fresh rolls outside and chatting.

It was so nice to be in a comfy cleaner place for the night. Dinner was had in the bar next door. Ben is better but still not eating properly.

The local paper was scanned. It seems every second article is about corruption and graft at all government levels. Kenya really has a problem in this respect. Especially, with the tendering process on civil and local government projects.

Cal and I caught a bike down to Nakumatt to get some food. It was no problems to have two of us on the back of the 150cc bike.

 

 

 

 

8/6/2015  Nakuru to Eldama Ravine

D64, T3.5, Av16.30, max47, 41,473 6,287

The most beautiful clear day

The hotel in Nakuru, the Indica, was a great spot and caught the sun. It was also very clean except for a few cockroaches.

Once out on the road it was a slow climb from town overlooking the lake. From here we somehow took a wrong turn and ended up on the B4 and were heading north to the turnoff to Eldama Ravine. As it turned out it was a great mistake, if you can have one of those. The ride into the bottom of the Rift Valley was just the most enjoyable 30km. It was gently downhill and free of much traffic coupled with just the most crystal clear day.

I had ridden this road on the way to Nakuru. We stopped in a village and enjoyed mendasi and chai, we do the most days now, it gives us that little boost, and is relaxing.

At the turnoff to Eldama we bought a hip flask of honey each. This honey is so natural with a strong flavour.

From here, we slowly started climbing from the bottom of the Valley. I came across the tree that a photo was captured of a few weeks ago. There were some herders nearby. I wanted to know the name of this giant succulent that is common in these parts. The Kalenjin name is Kuresiet.

We stopped soon after and enjoyed sandwiches and blanched broccoli and green beans. Two women joined us, they were nice, but ultimately wanted money to buy sodas. This annoys me so much. It is just nice to chat with people who want nothing.

From here, it was more of a steady climb into Eldama with the last 3km hard work. Ben was worn out and had to walk the last kilometre. We booked the same hotel I had stayed in a few weeks ago, 

We all had a couple of plates of chips and did some washing. I went on into town to get some more cards printed at the same place as before. Rarely, are the same towns visited during my riding but on this occasion it was nice to be back in Eldama Ravine, it is a nice size town with all facilities.

Yesterday time was spent on the side of the road for half an hour with an Italian guy and his girlfriend who were travelling. He was a bit older than me. We had a great chat . He asked me why I was doing this. I said firstly because I love the lifestyle. Secondly, I told him because I have the time. Money is not so important when it comes to travel by bicycle but time is very very important. It is something most people my age don’t have. Many have money but are time poor.

Many people sit there and wish they could do certain things. Really, they are captives of their own success.

Debt, big homes, holiday houses, boats, rental properties and all that kind of stuff. They are just nooses in disguise around ones neck. When people say to me, I haven’t got the time to do this. What they really are saying is I don’t want to let go of my material possessions and cure my addiction to these material possessions.

I will also go onto say that having a partner who does not want to embark on this kind of adventure can be the greatest hurdle of all to fulfilling ones dreams and aspirations later in life. Life really is short.

I have yet to see a 60 year old couple out there on the road, travelling for any length of time!!

Of course most important of all is, you must enjoy what you are doing, the other pleasures just follow.

 

 
9/6/2015  Eldama Ravine to Campsite 3km up route C36

D64, T3.5, Av16.30, max47, 41,473 6,287

The most beautiful clear day

We took our time leaving and had chai and mendasis in the restaurant. Tomatoes and bread were bought.

As soon as we left town we were in the wilderness, there was little traffic, just a few tractors moving logs. There were forests of pine and cedar in many places. A few km into the journey the climbing began. This was the need to get out of the Rift Valley. One particular climb was seemingly never ending. Ben is now getting road fit and rode the whole way up. He is doing so well and losing weight.

We had lunch in the small village of Tolongo, on arrival here, we were mobbed by dozens of school children in red jumpers, the chased us up the road to the town. Here we enjoyed lentils with cut up chapati. This was had with 3 chais. All this for eighty bob. This is the price local villagers can afford to pay for a basic meal.

It was tasty and very fresh, many locals were in eating and watching the news on TV.

It began to rain as we left. There was no point in putting on our coats, as all the climbing to come would have seen us just as wet on the inside.

Some 5km up the road there was a sign to a village on the left, it was red dirt. Asking people we found it was a god short cut back to the main road. If it rained any harder we would get trapped on this red soil.

We had to walk down the first descent as the road was too slippery. Riding through here was a pleasure, it was just dirt tracks and small farms all with maize in the paddocks.

There were some big climbs and very rough descents, again Ben handled it greatly.

We were in here for most of the day. Once back on the main road, it was 8km back to Nabkoi and onto to route C36 west to Kapsabet. We were all worn out.

At a sawmill we stopped to see if we could camp there. Within 5 minutes 50 people were about, this was not a good idea.

Riding on we finally got to the Nabkoi turnoff and bought things to eat at the stalls on the corner. It was now 1800, we were going to have to camp. Up the road further, we inspected a few potential sites but were always spotted. Further on, we came to a pine forest. Within 10 minutes a good site was spotted, all we had to do was get off the road without being seen. Once at the camp we set the tents up in the dark and had bread and salad sandwiches. We were all in bed by 2030. I was asleep in minutes.

It had been a big day. We were lucky to have been able to set up camp in the dry.

10/6/2015 Campsite 3km up route C36 to Kapsabet

D50, T2.3, Av19.26, max50, 41,590 6,637

Unsettled with late storm

We had an undisturbed night and all slept well. The condensation in our tents was extreme. It was great to be eating breakfast in the bush for a change. I decided not to  take the inner out of my tent before packing it.

My rear tyre was flat so this had to be repaired before moving out onto the road.

Once out there. Just over the bridge were some people on the roadside selling Chapati. We each bought one of these and a bottle of water each as we had depleted our supplies camping last night.

The road was now just a gentle downhill run. We got to a village and decided to dry the tents on a spare piece of land beside a shop. Well within 10 minutes we had an audience of 40 people, they were all very friendly and asked lots of questions.

My rear tyre had sustained another hole again. Stopping here suited because there was a puddle of water to help find the hole. It turned out to be very small, without the water it would have been difficult to find.

Leaving the inner in my Hilleberg Soulo tent turned out to be not a good idea. Much of the condensation found its way onto the floor of the inner, this was very slow to dry.

We were here chatting for three quarters of an hour. As soon as the tents were dry we moved on. From here, a steady descent began. There were judder bars in many places on the way down .On one of these my rear wheel lifted off the ground and came down rather heavily.

On arrival in Kapsabet we asked as to the whereabouts of the Nandi Rock hotel. Some people at the tent drying gathering had told us of this hotel.

Kapsabet had a few tarred roads but the rest were black dirt. It had recently rained and the place was literally just mud. We pushed our bikes up through a clothes market area in the mud. Here young children and adults alike were seen sniffing glue in bottles. A group of young boys followed us. They were filthy and had hip flasks of glue to their noses. We told them to leave us alone and go home, sadly home is the streets. Once up at the hotel we booked a room each it was a basic set up with bucket showers and a squat toilet arrangement.

On the way here, my rear wheel felt odd. Sure enough, the landing off the speed hump had put it out of round and it was not true. I spend 2 hours trying to get it right with no success. I rang Nixon in Iten and told him. He said bring it up tomorrow.

This is becoming a real problem. Shipping a replacement from the UK takes time and rapid dispatch is very expensive.

So early the next morning I was on a matatu, first to Eldoret then on up to Iten. Here Nixon took two hours to get this truing done correctly once and for all. The rim is slightly damaged and is impossible to  get perfectly round. We even tried hammering the bad spot with a mallet and a block of wood.

Anyway Nixon did as best he could and got it to within a few mill or more.

Importantly he did the spokes up super tight. It is a 32 hole wheel. In hindsight a 36 hole rim would have been better.

I had lunch in Eldoret and was back in Kapsabet by 1500.

Here at the hotel, there were roosters in the courtyard by the kitchen area. Each morning they would begin crowing at 0400. These birds were slowly killed off in the two days we stayed here. Ben and Cal ordered chicken on their last night. It was rooster, the leg meat was red and needed a sharp knife to remove it from the bone.

 

 

 

 

 

12/6/2015   Kapsabet to Kakamega

D57, T4, Av14.13, max62, 41,647 6,694

Unsettled with late storm

Before leaving the rooms we went into town to buy vegetables and bread in the hope we would be able to camp in the Kakamega national Reserve. Again, the ride was generally downhill.

We left the tarmac after some 19km and took the dirt road into the forest. Water was put in our bladders at a health clinic in a small village.

All three of us had upset stomachs and diarrhoea. We took it easy and were lucky it was mostly downhill.

The forest was very peaceful and many of the larger trees contained monkeys. However, they were very shy and soon disappeared into the foliage, if we stopped

Woman were carrying out loads of firewood on their heads.

The road was a very bright red soil.

The peacefulness did not last long, soon we were in private land again. The roadside was busy with people walking. Though places were seen where we could camp, they were mostly very wet and shady.

We decided to head on the Kakamega. We soon got to the main road and turned right. Again it was an easy ride down to the town some 8km away.

Once in the town we bought a fresh pineapple and went looking for a hotel. The Comfort Inn was booked, which is located just before the Friendly Hotel.

Again, we have a bit of bargaining power with the need to book three rooms.

Once settled in here the rains began. It was perfect timing.

We had fried potatoes in the room.

Ben and I both had the runs bad coupled with upset stomach, Cal is similarly affected though to a lesser extent.

13/6/2015   Kakamega to Mumias

D40, T2.3, Av15.9, max56, 41,686 6,736

Fine day

I was not feeling at all well, this diarrhoea was taking its toll. I thought it best to stay another night here. Not that I wanted to as last night bed bugs had given me  a good chewing last night. They were seen crawling up the mosquito net as light approached.

I told the woman who managed the place. When asking for another room and we wanted to spend another night here she said they were full. So, we decided to move on. A stop was made at a local supermarket to buy a few things. I managed to buy a new pair of cheap reading glasses as the others are not suitable. They are so small the frames can be seen as I read.

The countryside is still very lush and thankfully flat, my energy was very little. The Malanil tablets for malaria prevention are also affecting me I feel.

The fields are now full of sugarcane.

Soon we got to Mumias and stopped for a cold drink in a small cafe. We met a couple of local guys who were very informative about lots of local topics. Mumias is a poorer town than Kakamega, many people work in the huge sugar mills and in the fields. They are lowly paid. There were few hotels in the town.

We had to settle on the West Gate hotel out of town. It was expensive by our standards but comfortable with a pool, that we did not use.

It was powered by a generator. The owner told us they were very quiet. I felt it was a case of over capitalisation for the location. I think he knew that too.

Anyway we cooked pasta in our room and did los of washing under the hot suicide showers. Each room had a balcony so things could dry overnight. I have started taking Ciprol for my diarrhoea. It was hoped not to have to use antibiotics but it just keeps persisting.

 

 

 

 

14/6/2015  Mumias to Ugandan border at Busia

D57, T3.16, Av17.42, max33, 41,4744 6,793

Fine day

It had been great to stay in a hotel with a few mod cons. The owner joined us for a cup of tea in the morning. I told him about the generator fumes in the guest area. He said they tried to move it but things did not work properly. Anyway we got on the road about 0830. Riding was easy through generally flat country, many people were on bicycles which is always a good sign of flat country.

A few rivers we crossed were running brown and swollen from the still present rains,.

In no time at all we were on the outskirts of Busia. The first thing we did was go to a supermarket and get a few supplies that we were familiar with and also to spend our small change.

In each country, it takes a little while to find the best milk powder. Here in Kenya it was Miksi. Nestle Nido is available everywhere but is very costly. From here we headed to the money changers to get out KS changed into UG shillings.

We got a great rate, 31UG for 1 KS, with the money we had, a bundle of UGS1,058,000 was received.

Just as we were changing the money, it began to torrentially rain. We were soaked in no time. Like all border towns there were trucks everywhere and people selling what they could.

We headed across and got stamped out of Kenya and on to the immigration in Uganda. Here I had troubles with my 20 dollar US bills, they would not take them because they had small tears. It took two attempts to find some they would accept.

It was still pouring heavily by the time we were ready to cross the border. Once on the Ugandan side the town of Busia just continued. Food and hotels were cheaper.

It was great to have a change in food from all the ugali we have been eating.

A room was booked and we dried ourselves out. Later, a trip was made to get sim cards for our phones. We chose Airtel as people said it offered the best data options.

Uganda had a nice ambiance about it, the people paid little attention to use and all were really friendly and helpful. Many spoke good English.

 

 

 

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