We finally got on our plane - 2.5 hours late leaving Dakar for Bamako. Upon our arrival in Bamako, our best new friend - Dicko - met us and whisked us away in a new Toyota Land Cruiser with A/C!
For those of you at Kim's office - he is even better in person!! We did a quick tour of Bamako and then to the hotel - which was also very nice.
On Saturday morning we were off to Timbuktu. Got to the airport at 8am for a flight that didn't leave until 10:30am - nobody knew exactly what time our flight was leaving - even up until departure.
A different guide, Ayaob, met us in Timbuktu. We took a quick drive around, then stopping by the hotel to check in and lunch. The hotel was excellent - think the best boutique hotel in New York or Chicago but in Timbuktu - not what we expected!!! Lunch was awesome - both in presentation and in taste it would rival any restaurant in Calgary. Our thoughts that we would lose weight in Africa are quickly going out the window, every place has great food.
In the afternoon we took a camel ride out to a Touareg camp. We were on the camels for about 40 minutes. The camel guide was accompanied by 3 other men, who where very chatty. When we got to the camp, we were served tea. And of course they tried to sell us jewelery!!!! Each piece of jewelery had a story. They wanted us to hear about every piece. At one point I stand up, planning to go. I am told we still have 2 more courses of tea. Kim is tolerating the sales pitches, but I am not. Eventually all our chatty friends take off as the Japanese tour arrives. The camel ride back was rather lonely - just Kim and I, the camel guide and the camels. While we were waiting to meet back up with our guide, we started bargaining for a few items. The initial price was named by the seller, I countered, he countered, I countered, he countered. That was it. I was done. I named my final price. Eventually he came back to me and we split the difference - small victory??? Kim and the sellers had a good laugh - I don't know if it was at my expense or not - no translation on that!!!
That brings us to dinner. Our guide invited us to his home for a feast with a famous Timbuktu historian. First a whole lamb is brought in, which has been cooking since 8am and is stuffed with couscous. We start with a soup, which Kim and I have agreed not to discuss its contents. It didn't look pretty. Then on to the lamb. Our host started tearing pieces off and as we finished, he would throw more on our plates. The lamb/couscous combo was very tasty. The discussion with the historian was very interesting, both on the history of Timbuktu and Mali.
Today (Sunday) we flew to Mopti early in the morning. Dicko met us at the airport and we headed for the Mopti market. Wow. Talk about lively. There were boats arriving from villages along the Niger filled with stuff and people to the rafters. Everything under the sun can be bought here. Business was happening all over at a furious pace. We stopped for lunch and watched some boats dock and the ensuing unloading - good entertainment.
We are now kicking back at another great hotel!
Bonsoir!!
g&k
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