#2: [13-Dec-08]

17-Apr-2008 -- This is the 19^th of a series of 83 confluence visits during our voyage from Nigeria to Europe and back to Nigeria around the entire African continent. It all started on 28 January at 11N 5E.

Story continues from 15N 3W.

The town of Djénné, which is situated on an island in the Bani River, is the home of the incomparable mosque, the largest mud-built structure in the world. After spending two days at Djénné, we are leaving Djénné and heading towards Massina intending to take the ferry across the river Niger and continue along the river to Ségou. The river was very low. The distance to the ferry through the sandy riverbed was impossible to manage for Walter's car. There was no way but to return and take a different route to Ségou.

It was quite late in the afternoon and after driving a short distance, we turned off into the bush and set up our camp for the night. The next morning we continued and found our way to Ségou. Somewhere on the way we came across a beautiful twister. We spent two nights at Ségou and dedicated much of our time to our vehicles, making service, small repairs, and give them a good clean up.

About midway on the road to Bamako is the town Fana. It was there where we turned off towards the village Djila. The village is widely spread and when we found a path leading in the direction of the Confluence, we took it. We were very lucky because this path took us directly to the Confluence. After completing all the necessary documentation we returned to the main road and continued our journey to Bamako.

Continued at 13N 8W.