Believe it or not, Luna has been found!!! Along with, what sounds like, all of my gear! I think I’m still in a bit of shock.
I received the news from the Minister of Local Government on Monday evening. Since then the news has spread like wildfire and friends from all over Angola have been texting, phoning and mailing me to make sure I’ve received the wonderful news!
It truly is amazing! I am unbelievably impressed with the Angolan Police Force. Their determination is really something to admire. Huge respect goes out to them!
From what I understand, they found Luna and, by the sound of things, all my gear (someone commented on the fact that one of my panniers even still had a sausage in it!), not too far from where I was robbed! Unbelievable!
Now, answers to questions I know will immediately arise from your reading this post:
1. Have I changed my mind about starting over on a motorcycle? No. All goes ahead as planned. I am still starting over on a motorcycle.
2. What about Luna? Luna and my gear will be returned to me. Details on the how and when is currently being sorted out.
I cannot express just how amazed I am that they actually found my Luna!! I would like to send out an enormous thank you to the Angolan Police Force and all my Angolan friends for all their ongoing support and belief in me. I am extremely honoured!
Angola Rocks!!!!
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!
Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.
Around Africa On My Motorbike
Showing posts with label luna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label luna. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
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.
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!
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!
Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.
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| With Governor Pedro Sebastião |
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!
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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!
Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Nothing found other then immense generosity!
It is not often that I am at a loss for words, but yesterday I really was.
I was woken yesterday morning when Paul Buys and Burt Triegaardt phoned me from Soyo in Angola. They had mailed me on Saturday night when word of Jolandie’s plight had reached them. Their security team was immediately advised to be on the look out for Luna. Arrangements were made to accommodate Jolandie in Soyo should she choose to go there. They unconditionally offered their help and support – in any way it was needed.
I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when I put the phone down in stunned silence.
When I turned my computer on, I found my inbox bursting with mails of concern, offerings of assistance and just an overwhelming outpouring of love, support and comfort for Jolandie.
I am immensely humbled and bow deeply to each and every one of you for your unconditional generosity! I’m sure I had an out of body experience – my skin was just too small to contain the emotion that swept through me.
Jolandie spent most of yesterday morning in bed, but was feeling better by the afternoon. It was near impossible to talk to her as she just lapsed into coughing fits! We were chatting on Whatsapp, thinking of names for Luna’s replacement when suddenly she said: ‘I hear helicopters!!’ My heart skipped a few beats.
Whilst I was pretty sure that I would be tinkering away here at this hour informing you of how Luna was returned to Jolandie unscathed, am afraid to report that my sincerest wish did not come true. The police helicopters had returned empty handed.
Can you believe: two police helicopters out for two days searching for Luna! Is that not just incredibly awesome?
It seems that Jolandie will go to Lobito today, then back to Windhoek and Johannesburg later in the week. And I guess then it will be serious regrouping, rethinking and reorganizing.
I can assure you that Jolandie is viewing this incident as part and parcel of the experience of cycling around Africa. She has no intention of giving up!! It will just be a mammoth scramble to get bike and gear together again to continue where she left off!
Sincerest and most heartfelt thanks again to the team at Hoteis Angola for their generous sponsorship and for going much, much further than the extra mile to make sure that Jolandie was taken care of this weekend.
A loud round of applause to the police and Governor of the Zaire province for their relentless efforts to find Luna and for keeping Jolandie safe, warm and cared for.
I sadly sign off with no photographs to post!
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!
Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.
I was woken yesterday morning when Paul Buys and Burt Triegaardt phoned me from Soyo in Angola. They had mailed me on Saturday night when word of Jolandie’s plight had reached them. Their security team was immediately advised to be on the look out for Luna. Arrangements were made to accommodate Jolandie in Soyo should she choose to go there. They unconditionally offered their help and support – in any way it was needed.
I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when I put the phone down in stunned silence.
When I turned my computer on, I found my inbox bursting with mails of concern, offerings of assistance and just an overwhelming outpouring of love, support and comfort for Jolandie.
I am immensely humbled and bow deeply to each and every one of you for your unconditional generosity! I’m sure I had an out of body experience – my skin was just too small to contain the emotion that swept through me.
Jolandie spent most of yesterday morning in bed, but was feeling better by the afternoon. It was near impossible to talk to her as she just lapsed into coughing fits! We were chatting on Whatsapp, thinking of names for Luna’s replacement when suddenly she said: ‘I hear helicopters!!’ My heart skipped a few beats.
Whilst I was pretty sure that I would be tinkering away here at this hour informing you of how Luna was returned to Jolandie unscathed, am afraid to report that my sincerest wish did not come true. The police helicopters had returned empty handed.
Can you believe: two police helicopters out for two days searching for Luna! Is that not just incredibly awesome?
It seems that Jolandie will go to Lobito today, then back to Windhoek and Johannesburg later in the week. And I guess then it will be serious regrouping, rethinking and reorganizing.
I can assure you that Jolandie is viewing this incident as part and parcel of the experience of cycling around Africa. She has no intention of giving up!! It will just be a mammoth scramble to get bike and gear together again to continue where she left off!
Sincerest and most heartfelt thanks again to the team at Hoteis Angola for their generous sponsorship and for going much, much further than the extra mile to make sure that Jolandie was taken care of this weekend.
A loud round of applause to the police and Governor of the Zaire province for their relentless efforts to find Luna and for keeping Jolandie safe, warm and cared for.
I sadly sign off with no photographs to post!
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!
Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Africa gets a bit darker
Getting ready for my daily walk in the park with Jolandie’s favourite hound this morning, we were chatting about the night that was and the day ahead. She wasn’t feeling great – she’s fighting an awful cold and had a restless night. However, she was up and going and had already passed N’zeto!
And then I got the message I had always been dreading. Funny, I was never concerned about Jolandie being abducted or taken hostage or anything like that. Not only because of the excellent tactical training she received from Tacmo, but also because of who she is.
She is incredibly level-headed, she always remains calm, she is brilliant at thinking on her feet and she has a mental fortitude way beyond her years. I always felt that she would cope better than most in a sticky situation.
However, I always feared most for Luna’s safety. I forever implored her to tie a piece of string to Luna and to her wrist when sleeping in her tent out in the open!! But I somehow never thought Jolandie and Luna would be parted the way they were today.
There she was, coughing and cycling along when she heard a vehicle coming up from behind and slowing down. Nothing unusual about this – well-wishers and good Samaritans do this all the time. A black Ford ‘bakkie’ (small truck thingy for the non-South Africans) with four youths pulled up alongside her.
They motioned for her to get off her bike, laughing and joking. Jolandie thought they were inebriated and at first thought it all a joke. But when they got out of the ‘bakkie’, flashing knives and pangas, she knew it was no joke, though they were still laughing.
Quick thinking Jolandie said she wanted to keep her handlebar pannier as she had food in it. There was some food in it, but also her passport and money! And she also took her one front pannier – the one with her toiletries in!! What a girl!! Have passport, money, food and toiletries – can travel!! Good thinking!!
When the ‘bakkie’ with the laughing, inebriated youths and Luna disappeared over the horizon, Jolandie realised it wasn’t just a prank. This was for real.
She started making her way back to N’zeto on foot, feeling vulnerable and shaken. Hvir and I were pacing up and down because Jolandie was in an area where the cell phone reception was exceptionally bad and I couldn’t get hold of her to talk to her. I had to rely on the odd message she managed to send when there was a bit of a signal.
Werner, one of her friends in Lobito contacted someone in Soyo who doesn’t know Jolandie from a bar of soap, but he immediately started driving to N’zeto. Between Candido, her hosts in Luanda and Pedro, her contact at Hoteis Angola – her kind and generous sponsors in Angola - the Zaire province police commander was contacted and the N’zeto police was sent looking for her.
Now, and this is the part where all South African’s jaws will drop, not one but TWO helicopters were dispatched from Luanda to go and look for the perpetrators AND road blocks were immediately set up on all roads leading north looking for Luna!!! And by all accounts, if the perpetrators do get caught, they’ll sober up VERY quickly, lose their smiles and probably some other body parts too!!
Oh, and it only gets better! Back in N’zeto Jolandie was interrogated by about 30 police officers, wanting every bit of detail of the youngsters and then she was taken to a hotel and two guards were placed outside her door!! She said it felt as if she was in a witness protection program!! The governor of the Zaire province was notified of the situation. He hopped into his Lear Jet (OK, I’m getting carried away and am exaggerating – it was a Cessna, but still!!) and flew to N’zeto, picked Jolandie up and flew her back to his personal residence in M’banza Congo!!!!! Here a doctor was summoned to examine her and he gave her loads of vitamins and tablets for pain and fever!! (It did occur to me that a traditional healer may be called upon and that he may arrive with rabbit feet and hen’s teeth, but then I live in a different part of Africa – clearly!!)
Jolandie will be staying with the governor for the next two days while the search for Luna continues!! And while she recovers from her dreadful cold!!
I am truly and utterly stunned, amazed and humbled by the generosity, kindness, love and gentleness that is being bestowed upon her by so many, until recently, complete strangers in a foreign country. And so incredibly saddened that ‘them criminals, they are everywhere’.
I know I speak for Jolandie when I thank everybody, the incredible people in Angola, the wonderful facebook friends and many others who have been sending good wishes and support. You guys are all awesome and without people like you in her life, none of this would have been possible.
I’m very pleased that Jolandie has a warm bed to sleep in tonight and is being taken care of, but feel sorry for Luna who is with unkind and malicious strangers!!
But Angola seems to be the country of miracles and it would not surprise me in the slightest if I’ll be sitting at my computer in the early hours of tomorrow morning informing you that Luna has been found!!
Tonight I would not only like to thank Hoteis Angola for their incredibly generous financial sponsorship, but also for pulling out all the stops today to take care of Jolandie today. What an example of what sponsorship is all about!!
I have had many messages from people offering to help. If you want to help financially, please visit Jolandie’s SPONSOR A COUNTRY page. You can make donations via PayPal or directly to her bank account. And thank you so much!
I’m leaving you with some photos taken in happier times!
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!
Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.
And then I got the message I had always been dreading. Funny, I was never concerned about Jolandie being abducted or taken hostage or anything like that. Not only because of the excellent tactical training she received from Tacmo, but also because of who she is.
She is incredibly level-headed, she always remains calm, she is brilliant at thinking on her feet and she has a mental fortitude way beyond her years. I always felt that she would cope better than most in a sticky situation.
However, I always feared most for Luna’s safety. I forever implored her to tie a piece of string to Luna and to her wrist when sleeping in her tent out in the open!! But I somehow never thought Jolandie and Luna would be parted the way they were today.
There she was, coughing and cycling along when she heard a vehicle coming up from behind and slowing down. Nothing unusual about this – well-wishers and good Samaritans do this all the time. A black Ford ‘bakkie’ (small truck thingy for the non-South Africans) with four youths pulled up alongside her.
They motioned for her to get off her bike, laughing and joking. Jolandie thought they were inebriated and at first thought it all a joke. But when they got out of the ‘bakkie’, flashing knives and pangas, she knew it was no joke, though they were still laughing.
Quick thinking Jolandie said she wanted to keep her handlebar pannier as she had food in it. There was some food in it, but also her passport and money! And she also took her one front pannier – the one with her toiletries in!! What a girl!! Have passport, money, food and toiletries – can travel!! Good thinking!!
When the ‘bakkie’ with the laughing, inebriated youths and Luna disappeared over the horizon, Jolandie realised it wasn’t just a prank. This was for real.
She started making her way back to N’zeto on foot, feeling vulnerable and shaken. Hvir and I were pacing up and down because Jolandie was in an area where the cell phone reception was exceptionally bad and I couldn’t get hold of her to talk to her. I had to rely on the odd message she managed to send when there was a bit of a signal.
Werner, one of her friends in Lobito contacted someone in Soyo who doesn’t know Jolandie from a bar of soap, but he immediately started driving to N’zeto. Between Candido, her hosts in Luanda and Pedro, her contact at Hoteis Angola – her kind and generous sponsors in Angola - the Zaire province police commander was contacted and the N’zeto police was sent looking for her.
Now, and this is the part where all South African’s jaws will drop, not one but TWO helicopters were dispatched from Luanda to go and look for the perpetrators AND road blocks were immediately set up on all roads leading north looking for Luna!!! And by all accounts, if the perpetrators do get caught, they’ll sober up VERY quickly, lose their smiles and probably some other body parts too!!
Oh, and it only gets better! Back in N’zeto Jolandie was interrogated by about 30 police officers, wanting every bit of detail of the youngsters and then she was taken to a hotel and two guards were placed outside her door!! She said it felt as if she was in a witness protection program!! The governor of the Zaire province was notified of the situation. He hopped into his Lear Jet (OK, I’m getting carried away and am exaggerating – it was a Cessna, but still!!) and flew to N’zeto, picked Jolandie up and flew her back to his personal residence in M’banza Congo!!!!! Here a doctor was summoned to examine her and he gave her loads of vitamins and tablets for pain and fever!! (It did occur to me that a traditional healer may be called upon and that he may arrive with rabbit feet and hen’s teeth, but then I live in a different part of Africa – clearly!!)
Jolandie will be staying with the governor for the next two days while the search for Luna continues!! And while she recovers from her dreadful cold!!
I am truly and utterly stunned, amazed and humbled by the generosity, kindness, love and gentleness that is being bestowed upon her by so many, until recently, complete strangers in a foreign country. And so incredibly saddened that ‘them criminals, they are everywhere’.
I know I speak for Jolandie when I thank everybody, the incredible people in Angola, the wonderful facebook friends and many others who have been sending good wishes and support. You guys are all awesome and without people like you in her life, none of this would have been possible.
I’m very pleased that Jolandie has a warm bed to sleep in tonight and is being taken care of, but feel sorry for Luna who is with unkind and malicious strangers!!
But Angola seems to be the country of miracles and it would not surprise me in the slightest if I’ll be sitting at my computer in the early hours of tomorrow morning informing you that Luna has been found!!
Tonight I would not only like to thank Hoteis Angola for their incredibly generous financial sponsorship, but also for pulling out all the stops today to take care of Jolandie today. What an example of what sponsorship is all about!!
I have had many messages from people offering to help. If you want to help financially, please visit Jolandie’s SPONSOR A COUNTRY page. You can make donations via PayPal or directly to her bank account. And thank you so much!
I’m leaving you with some photos taken in happier times!
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| A day of firsts: First day being seperated from her beloved Luna and first flight in a Cessna! |
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| Hvir, Jolandie's favourite hound, desperately trying to come up with a plan earlier today! |
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!
Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Taking Old Faithful
I have decided to take Luna, my 'old' bike on this expedition.
At first I thought it almost 'unfair' to put her through having to carry myself and all my gear right around Africa. Seeing as I've already put her through having to carry myself and all my gear through and around South Africa.
And in all honesty, I wasn't sure whether she'd be up to going around the second largest continent on this planet.
But, after much consideration, (and a lack of finding a bike sponsor) I have now decided to take my 'Old Faithful' with me on this trip.
I will be taking her to my favorite cycling shop, Linden Cycles, to have them take her apart, clean and replace whatever needs cleaning and replacing. I might have to make a few adjustments and change something here and there...but overall I am very happy to take her.
I love this bike. We've been through so much together. And it only seems fitting that we tackle this, my biggest undertaking yet, together. I've never had any problems with this bike. She's a very hard worker and always willing to go wherever I want her to. No complaints, no hesitation. :)
So my dear friends...I give you Luna, my sole companion on this trip!
(She is a Corratec, Superbow Race Mountainbike)
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