Abundant Angola!!

Before leaving M’banza Congo yesterday afternoon, Jolandie was taken to the police station one last time. The officers went over her statement in detail again, checking and double checking her descriptions of the four scoundrels that took Luna from her and the black Ford ‘bakkie’ that disappeared over the horizon with Luna and Jolandie’s expedition gear on board. Assuring her that the search has by no means been called off, she was taken back to the Governor’s residence to get her, by now, meagre belongings.

With Governor Pedro Sebastião

Waiting for her was Pedro Sebastião, the Governor of the Zaire province. Having a last chat in the lounge, he again apologised for the ordeal she was subjected to in his province before handing her an envelope. And inside? Generous compensation for the loss she suffered; his contribution towards a new Luna and the load she will be carrying!! Jolandie was totally overwhelmed by this completely unexpected display of generosity.

Having said their goodbyes, Jolandie was taken to the landing strip where a Beechcraft airplane was droning on the runway to take her to Lobito.

Eagerly awaiting her arrival were the guys from Hoteis Angola who whisked her off to a press conference.

I simply have to believe that in a country where complete strangers reach out so freely and with such ease and such abundance, Jolandie had the incredible misfortune to run into the only four bad guys within its borders.

Jolandie will be spending a day or so in Lobito before making her way back to Johannesburg. Without question I am delighted that she is heading back home and Hvir’s tail hasn’t stopped wagging since she heard the news. However, I suspect a hectic time lies ahead. Best I clear the decks!!

Ooooohhh!! And switching to whisper font, the new Luna may already have a name – don’t tell Jolandie that I made sure you’re the first to know!! There may be a Pink Floyd song title in the name. Sssshhh! I didn’t say a word!! Now it is just a matter of finding a bike fitting the name and gear to match!! Oooppss, I forgot about one teeny, weeny little detail: we’ll have to rustle up some funds, donations, pledges, help and chocolate cookies to make sure the new Luna et al get back on the road again. A.S.A.P!! Feel your heart sink as you read this – you will be called upon!!!

As always: Hoteis Angola – you guys are simply phenomenal! Thank you. And Governor Pedro Sebastião, I cannot think that I will ever have sufficient vocabulary to thank you for your magnanimous and big-hearted gesture. Not only to pull out all the stops to find Luna, but also for your sizeable contribution towards getting Jolandie back on the road. Muito obrigado!

The Beechcraft ready to take Jolandie to Lobito

Cockpit and cabin - only anorexic hostesses need to apply!!

The fighter jets that went looking for Luna. Oh, no! That's wrong, it's just fighter jets on the runway.	THIS is one of the two police helicopters that spent two days up in the sky with eyes peeled for a sighting of four scoundrels and Luna!

Donations or country sponsorships can be done through PayPal – visit the SPONSOR A COUNTRY page for more details!! Otherwise, send Jolandie or La Domestique a mail.

Please drop by and visit my facebook group or my facebook page. Click on a country to see many more photographs of my incredible journey around Africa!

• Angola
• Namibia
• South Africa

Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.

Back Home

As you will have noticed from the heading, I am currently back in Johannesburg!
My flight from Hosea Kutako airport in Windhoek, landed on Saturday.

There is one very simple reason as to why I am back home - to sort out my visa for Angola. After fighting with the Angolan Embassy in Windhoek for a week, I had had enough and just couldn't waste any more time. On Friday I went to the embassy again for the umpteenth time to try and resolve the issue. This time I was fortunate enough to have someone behind the counter that could actually force a smile. He was very helpful. I explained my case to him (again), and he referred me back to Pretoria (again). What made me decide to come back was the fact that I now needed to apply for an extension on my Namibian visa as the Angolan Embassy requires that I have a 6 month visa in Namibia before I can apply for my Angolan visa. (This was the first time they had divulged this information)!!!

Coming back home is both exciting and taxing emotionally! It was hard enough to have to say farewell to my nearest and dearest when I launched from Cape Town! I had prepared myself to not see them again for a very long time! The actual issue of having to sort out my visa doesn't bother me one bit. That's all part of the journey. But having to now leave everyone AGAIN...that gets to me. But hey, whatever it takes.

Luna and all my gear are still in Windhoek. I am awaiting a letter of invitation from Angola (which should be here today, hopefully), then it takes ten days to process the visa. Once I have my visa in hand, I'll be on my way back to Namibia and back on the road again!!! Wooohoooooo.

Being back home now, does give me the opportunity to catch up on a few things though. Which is great!!!

I'll keep you all posted and you'll know the second I have that elusive visa!!! :)

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