Day 154: Katsina Ala – Bali

The Hotel Mandate actually turned out to be a good place. We were able to stand in the yard near the room and cook and have breakfast and hang up laundry without anyone being bothered. The room was even warmer than the car and so we slept “at home” – but still not really well, it’s just too hot.

The route to Takum is as bad as the road yesterday, pothole after pothole. After that it gets better and we make it to Beli (or Bali) as planned. 

The Hotel Young JP is the opposite of yesterday. A completely listless receptionist, no information about when there might be water or electricity, the room itself... There are no towels here anymore. We had just gotten used to having to share one. 

The courtyard is alive with people sitting around doing nothing but watching others. 

And a guy in civilian clothes who introduces himself as an immigration officer. He doesn't have an ID, just a photo of an ID card, which we are not allowed to photograph. He writes everything down and takes photos of the passport and visa – who knows who will do something with it later. We notice once again that things quickly become very loud and aggressive when you start discussing.  

All in all, not the nicest place.

In the afternoon we received the news that there is no more diesel in this area. It wouldn't be that bad, because we've planned for about 100 km after the border. But supposedly the first diesel in Cameroon won't be available until Yaounde – and there's no way we'll get that far. Accompanied by a local, we drive to the two possible gas stations – diesel is out. One is scheduled to be delivered tonight. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we get something tomorrow. Otherwise… we don’t really know yet.