2005: The Final Journey

Surviving a dull afternoon in PH was one thing, but surviving the following journey to Opobo was quite another!

First we needed to get a car to take us 2hours to Ikot Abasi where we would hopefully manage to meet the Cameroon lot. By the time we got the go ahead from them (reassurance that they had passed immigration and were on their way) it was late. Add to this the fact we had been traipsing back and forth through the motor park with our goody bags from Park 'n' Rob and you get a bunch of drivers very unwilling to negotiate a fair price. Battle ensued, with Tammie bravely taking the lead as the rest of us slowly melted into puddles under our rucksacks. By the time a price had been fixed and a car allocated, it was half full of other hopeful passengers. They were unceremoniously offloaded as we stood, embarrassed, trying to avoid slipping on the dead rats at our feet (really, a very choice motor park!). Finally set off with four of us in the back seat as usual - numb-bum-tastic!

Next leg of the journey was a night-time okada ride from our meeting point to the riverside at Ikot Abasi. We wobbled by the roadside with fireflies for company as we waited for someone, anyone to pass. Finally an okada was hailed and sent to fetch more. They whizzed out of the gloom, revving and belching out their two-stroke fumes. Another price battle was soon ended when again Tammie led us in strike - threatening to just walk the whole damn way. The road was loooong and daaark and potholed and my okada man was particularly chatty, resulting in a faint showering for me. Nice.

Third: A speed-boat ride across the waters to the merry little town of Opobo. The boats go fast. They are noisy. There is a lot of spray and they bounce and jiggle on the open water. The 'path' was lit, occasionally, by a zero watt torch that was lazily pointed in almost the direction we were headed. I gripped my seat and enjoyed the breeze.

Finally, and almost the most killing, was a trek up to Mary and Peters house. 15 minutes uphill through Opobo, with a big, slightly soggy rucksack, and the heavy humid air was a real test of stamina. But we made it! And were soon back down to the water front to enjoy some chop and a few beers and wait for 2006.