Niger.   
   Saturday 20-3-2010

   The Hamadan, the hot wind from the Sahara blew fiercely; the fine dust was everywhere. Worried about our electronic equipment we
   kept it locked away most of the time. Besides, there was nothing much to photo anyhow as the vision was blurred.

   Taking our JAMBO out of the hotel yard, refueling and we were on the road towards east.

         
                             Our stay in Niamey                                               Seen on a lorry, this lion will never get the antelope

        
              Mom complaining  (we do not know what it meant)                           Given away second hand cloth are sold here

                         
                                                                          roof rack passengers, all alive

                                
                                             not so this cow which had been slotted on the road and is cut up to be sold

   Passing the market and in no time we were at the city gate ready to cross 420 km to the Nigerian border.

           
                              "Bye bye Niamey"                                                                          protected for the Harvest

   This mango tree, it was the only in the vicinity, was surrounded by a fence. No animal or human will dare to cut a branch or a fruit.
   Although Niger is a predominantly desert state, 18% of the population is employed in the agriculture and livestock sector, with camels
   goats sheep and cattle. Over 50% are working in the crop production, like sorghum, cassava, even rice, all along the Niger river valley
   which we drove along towards the east.

       
         While the visibility was at times still good, the further we came into the desert, the more bad it became.

                 
                                    Our flag flew in the Hamadan, flying high, as if she would greet the whole of Niger.

   The nearer we came to Nigeria the more the tension rose, as we heard many stories, the last, that an English fellow was refused
   entry into Nigeria because his Visa was not from England. With mixed feelings we stamped our passports out in Niger, and discussed
   with the Officers the possibility to return, in case entry is denied.

   But what a surprise was the friendly welcome of the officers. "How long do you want to stay?" We held lengthily talks about our
   travels, and my beloved home, Brunei Darussalam. It was lucky 1117 or 117, a number which follows me though life. It always turns
   up.

           
                               on a vehicle in front of us                                                       at the hotel gate pass in Kaduna.
 

   My car license number is 1117,  my lot number 28171. It is as if some unseen forces tell me they are with me.

   By 4:30 pm we were on route to Sokoto the capital of Sokoto state In Northern Nigeria, where we put up for the night.
   If you like to follow, then please click West Africa, where our journey continues.