Leaving São Tomé and making decisions

99 countries down - 104 more to go

 

Business as usual. Talk to people, gain information, make decisions, act or react, check and double check, investigate some more...and remember to smile. To make it all just a little bit more of a challenge, the toilet and my stomach plotted an evil scheme against me, and made me a slave of their aquatic power. For most of the next 60 HOURS I had to plan my time, my meetings and generally any event outside the house...veeeeery carefully!!

 

 

As I already mentioned in the last blog: This island is great for tourists...but getting work done is a struggle. In fact getting anything done. Christoph stayed by my side and ensured me that there was nothing to worry about and told me to relax. I'm sure that Christoph had good intentions, but as the fraise goes: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions..."

 

 

Christoph is a great guy. He works hard and he too has a lot on his mind. I'm sure that he would be the right guy to help me - but I met him at the wrong time. In hindsight I should have gone more solo and maybe I would have accomplished more in terms of visas. But anyone can be wise in hindsight. It's the decisions that you make in real time which count in real life.

 

 

Christoph's friend Jean-Phillip has bought a cargo-ferry (as we all do sometimes?!) The "Amfitriti" has been getting ready for its maiden voyage which will take her from São Tomé, to Príncipe, to Douala (Cameroon) and back home to São Tomé. That ferry and that route can prove very important for São Tomé & Príncipe in the future! And as it turns out it's (allegedly) possible to get a Cameroonian visa on arrival in Douala? So that's my plan for now. The great escape! :) In reality it's crazy to want to "escape" a picture perfect paradise island. But I'm not sleeping on the beach and sipping coconut milk. In fact with the captains and with Jean-Phillips permission I moved in on top of "Amfitriti". I put up my hammock and that became home...right there in the port where I needed to be.

 

 

 

 

 

Then one night a peculiar looking boat arrived from Nigeria. In daylight I got to investigate her and she turns out to be a former Danish ferry which was built in Denmark in 1972 and used to go under the name "Øen" (the island). She docked next to "Amfitriti" which is a Greek built ship - so they didn't have much to say to each other. "The Island", or "MV Agamba" which she is now known as, carries passengers and cargo. She used to ferry across the cold waters of Denmark between to islands. But now she is on her way to Libreville in Gabon! BOOM!!

 

 

 

 

What to do? Stick with the "Greek" or the "Danish"? A formerly Danish ferry appearing unexpectedly out of nowhere almost feels like a sign...if you were prone to believe in such things...? But here is the deal: No matter which boat I take out of here, I will still need to go to Douala in Cameroon for visa purposes, if we are to see an end to Central Africa anytime soon (that will make more sense to you in a few weeks when I reveal it all). So I either travel with the "Dane" to Libreville, apply for a Cameroonian visa in Gabon, and travel overland for 2 days to reach Douala? Or I stick with the "Greek" and visit Príncipe (paradise) on my way straight to Douala?

 

I chose the "Greek". Oh daughter of Poseidon...don't let me down (was that a Beetles tune) ;) 

 

 

And that's the short version of what happened last week. For the longer, much more rich version please visit and bring a bottle of red wine ;)