So shut up, live, travel, adventure, bless and don't be sorry. - Jack Kerouac
1 October 2019, Sokodé to Kara, 76.86km
Hotel Mira (Alcor Group) 6,000XOF (R150)
Despite waking to a puncture for the second day in a row, this time on Charl’s bike, the cause/s being four small wires from the inner workings of truck tyres, we had a great day. We rode through Sokodé, initially in search of an ATM, which we found at Bank Atlantique, and then in search of breakfast: omelette served on a plastic plate and condensed-milk coffee served in a sizeable silver bowl.
The road surface was rough, but OK, slower to travel because of having to avoid potholes, take care on the lumpy downhills, and watch out for traffic as there was no shoulder. We were amused, as we have been in the past, to encounter village boys filling potholes with earth from the verges and fields, then waving down vehicles requesting payment. Quite innovative… At one point we stopped to allow a small herd of cattle to cross in front of us, tended by two young men.
Two things made the 8km climb up a mountain pass not just tolerable, but enjoyable. We reached the peage (toll) at the base of the pass at 12:30 and it was hot, hot, hot. But there was a FanMilk salesman dispensing frozen fraise (strawberry) yoghurt from his bicycle. Yum. And then, just 1km into the climb, it began to rain. Not heavily enough to obscure the road from us or us from the traffic, but gently enough to cool us and our surroundings, raising water vapour off the burning tar. The views of forested hills under clouded skies were lovely, as was the smell of rain-dampened earth. On a 6 percent section, a passenger leaned out of an open truck window, giving me a thumbs up and shouting “courage”.
Then it was up and down across the top, and a wonderful drop down t’other side. We were enchanted to find a centre line painted on the safety deviation, you know, where a truck that has lost control on the down is directed off the road and onto a steep incline. As Charl asked, how likely is it that two-way traffic would be in need of those lines in a moment of dire stress? Then an easy last 25km into Kara where we found cheap accommodation at the Hotel Mira, currently being renovated, and one of the Alcor Group to which we were introduced in Lomé.
Had a disappointing dinner at Kara Pizza…
For today's route see below photos
For overview route, click on ROUTE tab above…
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara - wood for sale
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Sokodé to Kara
Hotel Mira, Kara