Tanzania to Zambia
We left the interesting hotel at 8 for a 100 km run to the border
As usual their was some private competition to get to head of the que as we passed over a close and deep section of the rift valley
As we got closer to the border, we found more and more trucks lined up for the last 10kms
Within a few Kms the road was blocked by trucks as well as the opposite side having oncoming traffic. We had to run on the wrong side, and then as we came up to within a km of the border the road was stationary, so cars went around the trucks on either side, with us on the wrong side, facing oncoming traffic including semis.
So off the road we went diving in and out of the road to get to the border post. Having been trained by the Egyptian cabs we had no problem playing chicken with semis, at one stage we were jammed between 2 petrol tankers, unable to open the doors, but we won out
Then into the customs, then the carnet, then just sitting waiting for trucks and cars jammed across 5 deep to fight for a space though the single line exit gate. Just another day in the office
Then we were off for a 400k drive to our accommodation, in the middle no where
We had no money so did a bad deal to exchange us dollars for fuel, with changing local currency, which enabled us to order cold coke fanta and chicken and Chips form the petrol station cafe. The first decent food we’d seen for a few weeks. Sam went back for seconds
The guys from the only Datsun left running were having lunch as well, and had decided to cut and run to Lusaka , so we decided that was a good idea based on the quality of accommodation and expected food for the evening where we were, and also that it was only 4pm, and also that the reAr end of the car was resuming it’s interesting process of falling off, and it was Sunday, and everything was closed as all were at church,and it seems the local population was either at church all day or walking to or from church
So we picked up our bags from Our quality accommodation and set of for the 650 km run to the LUsaka intercontinental hotel
What a good move. 5 star for 2 nights
We will find a welder tomorrow and pull the fuel tank out and weld up anything that moves and then plate it all and Strengthen anything that looks even remotely suspect
Then well go,and get a wheel alignments and wheel balance and then well have a new car, which we can then take out in the next few days and try and destroy again
We cannot believe how this car keeps running. Mercedes engineering is extraordinary.
We think we have destroyed the rear shocks on the multiple hidden either huge or just suspension baking speed bumps that materialise out of nowhere, particularly disappointing and exciting when you are traveling at substantial speed .
We can’t believe the number of people wandering the roads with intent.
