Leon, Mike, Jo and ‘spaceman’

Written by David Townsend

13, November 2005

Position 05°20’131N 004°01‘953W

Abidjan, Ivory Coast. North Atlantic Ocean.

Hi dear friends, thank you for following our journey. Here is this week’s update.

We have now been in Abidjan for just over a week, indeed this is an interesting place for without offering bribes it appears nothing can be done quickly.

We contact the manufacture regarding the parts, they were ready to be sent put the price of over £1300 was too high. So our new friends here arranged for a flight home so we could pick the parts up ourselves then return here with them. This Woody did flying out in the early ours of Monday morning to Heathrow via Casablanca, return a few days later.

On Saturday watched the rugby, England V Australia. What a cracking game lets hope the guys can raise their game for next week. England V New Zealand.

In the evening we were invited to a party Leon, Mike, Joe and ‘spaceman’ were giving for a colleague who was due to leave the UN days later. The party went well meeting a variety of people from all over the world. I was later introduced to ‘Richard’; originally in research within the foreign office he was now the only UK diplomat here after the embassy was pulled out last year. Later myself, Woody, Richard, Mike, Leon and a rather camp American called Nile had a game of rugby in the pool.

Later after speaking further with Richard it was arranged that we would visit the Ambassadors residency for a small get together.

We have been out several times with out friends here in Abidjan and spent one of the most relaxing Sundays I can remember just chilling out at their place followed by a few drinks later.

On Thursday as previously arranged, we were picked up by the diplomatic minibus and driven to the ambassador’s residency with Mike and Jo following. Wow what a place, unbelievable. We met up with several other people there, the champagne was very nice but unfortunately we soon finished the last few bottles, however the wine was also very nice.

You have to see this place to believe it.

Fair wind, calm seas.

David.