Setting off for Timbuktu

Well, Dan got in. I was really glad to see him walk thru the arrival gate.

The arrival gate here is outside, just into the parking lot, not well lit , and very crowded. No information on flights status or anything.

After a short nite's rest , we got the bus to Mopti at 7 o'clock and settled in for a ten hour ride.

It was the best ride I have had here. No flats, good roast goat lunch, and for the clincher, after lunch, after 5 hours of travel, the driver turned on the AC, and it worked!!! It was a really pleasant journey! - good things happen - even in Africa!

In Mopti at the hotel we had a fun reunion with several fellow travelers I have met along the way, and everyone swapped information about cost and what was good and what was bad. Then a good night's sleep on the roof of the hotel, the temperature this morning at 7 was 72 degrees.

Today at about 2 pm, our Pinasse,(see photo), will depart. We will sleep on the deck under the shelter for two nites. Meals are included. We have to take our own water. We should arrive in Timbuktu sometime Friday.

The photos are of pinaase, and one is of front of boat, that's where the toilet is. We did not even check it out yesterday in fear we would not get back on boat!

So we will be out of touch for the next three days, and if there is internet in Timbuktu, I will write from there. Even here, the only Internet is satellite, so I am hoping they have a satellite in Timbuktu.

type y'all later - gotta go buy cookies, apples, and water.

Johnny