Bata, Equatorial Guinea - Friday 1 June 2007 - Introduction of Equatorial Guinea

We wish the day went more smoothly than it did, but we are happy to be here! Somehow I know that I am complaining for nothing, but yesterday was one of those days where you wish it was possible to call the "Human Resources Complaint Department". This country is definitely not yet ready for tourism, but hopefully one day they can start milk that industry as well. But replace the drunk and corrupt officers at the checkpoints first, try to find ways to coordinate "body searches" (Betsy was stripped twice in a 200 meter distance after getting through the border). Tourists are not utterly fond of that.

Equatorial Guinea is a tiny country on the west coast of Africa, bordering Gabon to the east and Cameroon to the north. Only half a million people can proudly call themselves Equatoguineans and has the smallest population on the land bound African continent. The most remarkable thing is that the capital is situated on an island up north and lucky for us, the roads where excellent from Kye Ossi (Cameroon Border) and all the way to the coast and administrative capital Bata. AND I am able to practice my Spanish again because Spain ruled the territories before independence.

If we are met with same hospitality on Friday and Saturday, we will be back to comfortable Cameroon before the weekend is over. Sadly we were kicked out of the first accommodation as late as 2200 hours and had to start driving around the capital in the middle of the night looking for a place to stay. A fellow Land Rover enthusiast stopped us and admired Betsy for half an hour and helped us look for a room. After a couple of failed attempts we wanted to go to Plaza. He then wanted money for helping us and started a car hunt around midnight, but we managed to get away.