A Short on Tamba

Not much to really tell about Tambacounda (Tamba to it's residents). We arrived late and ate a good meal of steak and chips after such a terribly long journey. All we needed to do here was sort out money - for some reason I had not been able to take any cash from any accounts in Guinea-Bissau, not even from credit cards - and roughly plan the next few weeks, doing a bit of research.

Tamba is yet another busy, and dusty, crossroads town; the main stop off between Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Mali.

The residential area is spread about between two huge arterial roads that intersect the town. We had the chance to stay on the roof here (it's certainly hot enough) but we could have a room for only 500 CFA more. The room had a fan. It was a quick decision. On a side note we probably had the best shower so far on the trip, just down the corridor (sometimes by candlelight - don't ask, it worked!), which made Mr Webb an extremely happy man - he showers more than any other human being I know of.


Lots of donkey carts everywhere in Tamba, which reminds me of a quick add-on for the next blog, and literally every shop was an ad-hoc mechanics, with men bashing metal outside, or hairdressers. Which I do not understand, as all the men at least have shaved heads. Tried a few places for food - one had a red light on in the evening, but served a good piece of fish and rice (that always comes with a set of vegetables: a bitter slice of some kind of pumpkin, aubergine, a root like a potato and a small but potent chilli). Then that evening tried "Best Burger" - where we pigged out on huge homemade beasts.


There is a train line that passes on its way from Dakar to Bamako (capital of Mali), but we didn't want to spend a whole 3/4 days on a train. Overland is far more exciting anyway. Would like to get a train somewhere on this trip, there's possibly one down the side of Benin. During the afternoon we were heading for a wander when some kids challenged us to a table football match. Dree and Barney played but the kids had obviously had more practice than them - maybe you could've whipped them Dad!

Not much more to tell. Sat on the roof to boost the old tan, bumped into a goat that was tied up there (quite cruel with no shade), which then literally bumped into us as it got loose and careered around the roof! I tried to be manly and catch him, but he just butted me out of the way!

That night there was a bit of a power cut so was a rather sweaty night in the room. Headed to the gare routiere for the border with Mali, but ended up going to the wrong one. After another taxi we got a neuf-place (clapped out old Renault estate) and headed off. I was out of the window most of the way, getting a lovely tan on one side!


Next blog: Mali!