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From Abuja it was a fairly straight forward ride south to Cameroon, always being carefull of the looseness of the nigerian drivers. We entered the ring road, a loop of sometimes road, sometimes track that was really quite interesting at times. there was one incident that caused even us to think what the!
It was suggested to us by a local fella that we detour a short way off the main track to a big lake. We decended down to the waters edge of this huge lake to discover a large water spout spraying water high in the air and no-one aroudn whatsoever. Turns out this water spout is to relaese carbon dioxide pressure from the bottom of the lake to prevent what happended 27 years ago where it did happen, all at once, killing about 2000 local villagers. We stripped off and were eating some pineapple before jumpin in when 2 AK47 packin cuzzes approached saying that we were in a government controlled area and that we had to return to their base at the top of the hill for some administration. No worries, off we went. The chief wanted to make things difficuilt and to cut a long story short decided that since we didnt have some touristic card, that he would hold onto our passports while we went swimming and the guards would have to accompany us since for the duration of our time by the lake were were under arrest! No bulls***! Anyway, we ended up with 2 AK packin lifeguards (who probably couldnt swim)!.
When it came time to leave, of course my bike didnt start. A bit of investigation and about an hour later we were away, it turned out to be a clogged air filter...? Kate dropped her bike while riding up the steep soft hill to get out and the soldiers helped pick up the bike. We eventually got away, and assume, since we were never told, that we are no longer under arrest!
Yaounde has been fantastic. Cold beers and nice whiskey during an evening spent with a now family friend made for a great time. We are now nearly all set for the rest of the trip south with the last visa (for DRC) hopefully ready tomorrow.
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