Day 80: Wild camp in front of Kindia – Het Park Milly Mamadou

Yesterday evening took a turn. First another herder came and demanded money in a very confrontational manner. Then he left when he realized we didn't understand anything.

This is the first time we have encountered the blunt demand for money with this clarity and frequency in Guinea, apart from the children's standard demands for gifts.

Then we had one of the fires a few hundred meters away. We know from Niokolo Koba Park that they go out on their own and don't spread too much. Nevertheless: We stay awake for a while and watch the fire and also set the alarm every hour for the first half of the night to see how it develops. Another somewhat restless night.

On the way to our destination today there is a short detour to “Le voile de la marie” – a magical waterfall in a nice place with young teak trees (at least that’s what “Picture this” says / the old ones were probably all cut down at some point) and mighty bamboo.

It passes Kindia with a series of police and military checkpoints. Since we are stupid Germans, we are allowed to drive anywhere without paying anything. Among the locals we see one and another banknotes changing hands.

Milly Mamoudou (in front of Coyah, not far from Conakry) is again one of the “hotels” with round bungalows and space for a few campers, as we have had more often recently. Lio and Domi are also here and later the two German motorcyclists join us. We are all a little afraid of Conakry, which is said to be even more desolate than Dakar.

What's great about this place is that it's close to the river – you can cool off in the natural pools. For some Guinean couples, this seems to be a place where they can chill a little more “freely”. Since today is Saturday, there will be disco again.

And: today it's time to cut hair and shave for Wolle; make ourselves pretty for the big city and the embassies :-)