The web site

This is a new stuff for me, it will help me to keep contact with family and friends, and to share my experience with others.

 

Health

I Had to fill up my international vaccination carnet, yellow fever, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, rabies injections, meningitis and an update of the common vaccinations. For malaria, I'll probably have to eat some pills everyday...

 

Transport and paperworks

bought the plane ticket 10 days before the departure, takeoff scheduled for the 21st of January, one way ticket Paris Ouagadougou for 310 euros.

Got my visa for Burkina in Paris, I'll get the other later; it's sometimes possible to buy them at the border posts.

I've subscribed to an insurance which will take care of me if something goes wrong.

 

The bike

Nothing's done yet, simply because I plan to get it in Ouaga. Possible to buy everything overthere, tools and spares. I just leave home with a Leatherman, a gift from my friends, and a Jet helmet.

No insurance planned in advance , but if it's like in Asia, in case of an accident that's always the foreigner's fault!

No carnet de passage en douane, the bike receipt was enough 2 years ago.

I just got my motorcycle driving license, not really needed for this moped, but I had another idea before. A least I won't have to bother with police officers!

 

Money

It seems to be better to carry cash in euros instead of traveller’s cheques (easier to change and better rates), I'll have a few anyway, plus a VISA card in case... I'll prepare a dummy wallet if someone tries to rob me... Should be enough with 40 euros in it plus maybe some traveller’s cheques.

 

Photography

I'll travel with 2 cameras, an old Rolleiflex medium format which belongs to my Dad (since 25 years!) and still in perfect conditions, and an ultra compact digital camera (Canon SD 200) to update the blog with pictures and videos.

 

Camping gear

No tent, no cooking stall as the aim is to meet locals. When I travelled in Bangladesh, there were hotels everywhere, and even if I was invited for a tea or for lunch, I've spent one night only in someone home, I sometimes declined because of a lack of experience.

 

Documentation

I've bought Michelin Map 741 "Northern and Western Africa" and a Lonely planet "West Africa". It's easy to find Paris direction, just go straight till the sea, then right, then straight again for 4500 Kms!

 

Packing list

There's not much in my bag... Basically that's a beach bag (along with a small indian nylon bag), so I'll be limited in space. It should fit perfectly between my legs. I'll carry the MINIMUM, you would trust me if you see my mom'face, wondering if I'm really leaving for 6 months, and not only for a week end! And if I need anything else, I'll do my shopping!

 

Then I don't know much, I've seen a few pics, the earth is mostly red, becoming yellow by the desert, greens trees in the south... well I'm going there to check it out! I haven't planned much about photography, but I'm gonna do a particular report anyway.

So I'm ready, let's go!