tok-tokkie
Race Dog
That has been a great read. You are a group of humanists (I think that means people who care about others & respects them - that's what I mean anyway).
Angola, it's not like they said.
- Thread starter Metaljockey
- Start date
Groenie
Grey Hound
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- Honda CRF-1000L Africa Twin
Aag no man. Now we have nothing to look forward to anymore. I have been glued to the pc everyday for the last month, waiting for the next installment and now that it's over, I believe it was one of the best stories I've ever read. Suspense, drama, adventure...it had everything.
Bedonnerde trip, befokte report.
Bedonnerde trip, befokte report.
Metaljockey
Race Dog
Angola, it's not like they said.
We had certain expectations when we planned this trip. The trip unfolded completely different though.
What we learned while doing our homework beforehand, just wasn't the case when we lived it.
They said that the border guards would be corrupt and that if they are not bribed, the crossing could take several hours.
We found the border guards to be wonderfully friendly and accomodating. Even though they spoke no English. Where I normally like to put a bit of distance between myself and the border post as soon as I'm cleared, here we spent time drinking beer with the Border Control people.
They said that Yelow Fever inocculation certificates would be checked. All of us had them, but two had been issued too recently to be effective.
We found that no-one even asked for it.
They said that the Police in every town will hassle us.
They said you need to have an explanation of your intent and an itinirary written in Portuguese to show the authorities in every town.
They said you needed many copies of passports and vehicle documentation to hand out.
Around this same time a well known adventurer, Kingsley Holgate, did much of our route. According to a magazine article they were arrested three times in Angolan towns.
We found none of that. In most towns we never interacted with the Police. Where we did it was more like striking up a friendship than anything official. We found them all to be very pleasant people.
Even our own expectations were totally wrong.
On my map, Monte Negro is not indicated. Yet we found a village with the bestest people ever.
We believed the Himba to be a reserved people who would find touching invasive. No such thing. They enjoyed the novelty no end. They are friendly, fun, and just people like you and me.
We expected to find a country still filled with ex combatants not yet integrated into society. The ones we found were people of the highest calibre, mature, responsible and people I now count as friends.
I saw Lubango as a city to be avoided, yet found diamonds there.
We certainly never expected to find a biker club.
In the end, every one of us felt the same way, we came to experience wild Africa, and what we found was people. Every one a pleasure to meet, every one welcoming us with open arms, every one with a smile, all willing to go out of their way to make our lives easier.
For us this trip was about the people.
Angola, expect the unexpected.
We had certain expectations when we planned this trip. The trip unfolded completely different though.
What we learned while doing our homework beforehand, just wasn't the case when we lived it.
They said that the border guards would be corrupt and that if they are not bribed, the crossing could take several hours.
We found the border guards to be wonderfully friendly and accomodating. Even though they spoke no English. Where I normally like to put a bit of distance between myself and the border post as soon as I'm cleared, here we spent time drinking beer with the Border Control people.
They said that Yelow Fever inocculation certificates would be checked. All of us had them, but two had been issued too recently to be effective.
We found that no-one even asked for it.
They said that the Police in every town will hassle us.
They said you need to have an explanation of your intent and an itinirary written in Portuguese to show the authorities in every town.
They said you needed many copies of passports and vehicle documentation to hand out.
Around this same time a well known adventurer, Kingsley Holgate, did much of our route. According to a magazine article they were arrested three times in Angolan towns.
We found none of that. In most towns we never interacted with the Police. Where we did it was more like striking up a friendship than anything official. We found them all to be very pleasant people.
Even our own expectations were totally wrong.
On my map, Monte Negro is not indicated. Yet we found a village with the bestest people ever.
We believed the Himba to be a reserved people who would find touching invasive. No such thing. They enjoyed the novelty no end. They are friendly, fun, and just people like you and me.
We expected to find a country still filled with ex combatants not yet integrated into society. The ones we found were people of the highest calibre, mature, responsible and people I now count as friends.
I saw Lubango as a city to be avoided, yet found diamonds there.
We certainly never expected to find a biker club.
In the end, every one of us felt the same way, we came to experience wild Africa, and what we found was people. Every one a pleasure to meet, every one welcoming us with open arms, every one with a smile, all willing to go out of their way to make our lives easier.
For us this trip was about the people.
Angola, expect the unexpected.
R
Red
Guest
MJ,
Please write a book about this trip. It will be a shame if something of this calibre is not shared with a wide audience. This is seriously good stuff. If you were American the agents would probably be beating your door down.
Gongrats. This is the best report on the forum.
Well done to all involved.
Please write a book about this trip. It will be a shame if something of this calibre is not shared with a wide audience. This is seriously good stuff. If you were American the agents would probably be beating your door down.
Gongrats. This is the best report on the forum.
Well done to all involved.
bmad
Race Dog
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WOW :thumright:
MrBig
Grey Hound
Incredible!
Trailrider
Bachelor Dog
Wow MJ. What can we say? GREAT report! Thanks!
Where are you going next?
Where are you going next?
Grootseun
Race Dog
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- The bottom... and digging
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- BMW F800GSA
awwww maaaannnn... it's over...
Mj et al...inspiring stuff...thank you for sharing.
looking forward to your next adventure...
Mj et al...inspiring stuff...thank you for sharing.
looking forward to your next adventure...
V
VooDoo
Guest
Thanks for sharing your trip guys, it almost feels like I've been on a trip of a lifetime just reading it, and then the long wait for spares.... erm updates ;D
I get the feeling this report is gonna have a big effect on the dual sport bike sales in the nearby future! If or when I meet you guys, the beers are on me!
I get the feeling this report is gonna have a big effect on the dual sport bike sales in the nearby future! If or when I meet you guys, the beers are on me!
SGB
Race Dog
MJ and team, thanks for sharing this incredible story and part of your hearts with us. It has been fun to read and shows that your own attitude has a lot to do with how you will be treated on someone else's patch.
It is sad that we now have to go back to the normal "BM/KTM" and "Bad service from......" and "who makes money from........" type threads. You confirmed my attitude in life that the most important things cannot be bought or sold: Friendship, Health, Relationships, Memories, etc.
I hope your next trip has been planned already and that you are leaving soon. DANKIE!
It is sad that we now have to go back to the normal "BM/KTM" and "Bad service from......" and "who makes money from........" type threads. You confirmed my attitude in life that the most important things cannot be bought or sold: Friendship, Health, Relationships, Memories, etc.
I hope your next trip has been planned already and that you are leaving soon. DANKIE!
U
Uncle Bob
Guest
Wow guys, what an absolutely awesome experience you had, thank you very much for sharing it with us.
I laughed, cried, cringed, flinched and sat absolutely dumbstruck through it.
You guys ROCK!!!!!!!
I laughed, cried, cringed, flinched and sat absolutely dumbstruck through it.
You guys ROCK!!!!!!!
Well done and thanx for a great story MJ and friends. Thanx for showing us what adventure riding really is about - road less traveled, hidden secrets, but mostly about attitude when touring - you are fine ambassadors for this sport!!!!
I suggest you forward this report to the Angolan consulate too.
Again well done and thanx for sharing - you lifted the bar......
Hein
I suggest you forward this report to the Angolan consulate too.
Again well done and thanx for sharing - you lifted the bar......
Hein
mj & co, i'm in awe, dumbstruck. to have done the trip and to write it in that fashion - sharing - is just beautiful! bugger the 'pokeability' thread!! thank you.
ps you guys would probably not be required to bring your own drinks to the bash
ps you guys would probably not be required to bring your own drinks to the bash
JourneyMan
Bachelor Dog
You certainly lifted the bar as Kilroy said. Well done to all of you!
One thing that have contributed to the success of this epic ride, must have been the group of people themselves.
It is one thing to go ride a day or overnighter with fellow riders but a completely different challenge when doing a trip like this.
The real mettle behind a person normally gets to the fore on trips like this.
Group dynamics must have been spot on because of the challenges and difficulties encountered.
I take my hat of to you guys! :hello2: :hello2:
One thing that have contributed to the success of this epic ride, must have been the group of people themselves.
It is one thing to go ride a day or overnighter with fellow riders but a completely different challenge when doing a trip like this.
The real mettle behind a person normally gets to the fore on trips like this.
Group dynamics must have been spot on because of the challenges and difficulties encountered.
I take my hat of to you guys! :hello2: :hello2:
Mark Hardy
Grey Hound
Thank you for one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time. I would gladly put your book ( if you wrote one) with some of my other favourites on the bookshelve.
The four of you have inspiered riders not just hear on WD's, but all around the world as well.
ADV rider, 279188 views, 757 replies and still counting.
Amassadors of DS riding in Southern Africa.
Thank You All.
The four of you have inspiered riders not just hear on WD's, but all around the world as well.
ADV rider, 279188 views, 757 replies and still counting.
Amassadors of DS riding in Southern Africa.
Thank You All.
