Incredible story. Truly incredible.

__________________
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Paul Driver
www.guesswhereweare.co.uk

Well there I was thinking about expedition 'stuff' to put on my Landcruiser and stumbled onto a link to your journey! Having now spent FIVE hours reading every post of yours and those in between from start to finish and I am blown away! There were times where I was so engrossed in your story that I realised that I had stopped breathing it was that interesting.

Thank you so much for one of the most interesting threads I have read in a long long time............you guys rock!

Well done

regards

Dave

Fred and Josephine,

Thank you for posting such an epic story!
I have traveled through east africa and found your report very informative and very gripping!
Would love to hear more of your adventures!

Traveling Mercies!
Noah

I cant be the only one who wants to see a picture of the Chess set?! After so much talk about the haggling I feel cheated without a picture of it!

Great report - Signed up just to say thanks and well... ask for the picture of the chess set!

-K

I registered just so I could post how amazing this trip report was. You two did an awesome job on this trip and obviously handled this the best you can. I would actually love to do a trip like this through Congo and I know it will take a lot of planning and preparation.

Again, good job on the trip and the report, I was captivated for the hours it took to go through and read the entire report!

I plan to to Nigeria later this year and wanted to see a trip report on Kinshasa (would like to make this a side trip).....this report was very helpful. Really unraveled some mysteries of how things work in DRC. I hope conditions improve by the time I get there. Interestingly enough some really happy music comes from that country. YouTube - CONGOLESE GUITAR STYLE SOUKOUS

Great story!!!

I just joined HU so I could say thanks for your report. I have to admit that I cannot comprehend why anyone would put themselves through this torture in the DRC. Your wrap up shed a lot of light on the country and your thought processes. Thank you for sharing this part of your journey, and all the best going forward in life. You are two very special people.

Just got finished,and i feel like i was there with you two the whole way Both of you are true DIPLOMATS of Travel,and if ever you should pass my Domicile on your amazing quest of perpetual traveling,you will surely find a good meal , drink and a safe haven for an evening or two.In the infamous word's of Mark Twain:Travel is Fatal to Prejudice,Bigotry,and Narrow-Mindedness.

What an excellent tale. I just couldn't stop reading.
These stories always fill me with a deep sadness for these forgotten people and the hardship they endure just trying to survive there.

I'm a 'Mine brat' and spent my childhood up to the age of 16 flitting between Zambia, Zaire and the UK. I spent two years in and around Katanga Province and although whilst certainly not the model nation things sort of worked.
I never felt threatened and the road blocks which were normal even then usually consisted of getting out of the car to stretch my legs , a smile and a joke and breaking a cigarette in two ( half each to the guards.)
The Border between Zambia and Zaire was often done without even getting out. (We often used to drive down to see friends) We'd just drive down a dirt track at the border, hold out a loaf of bread and through we'd go.

I've just finished reading 'On foot through Africa' (ffyona Campbell) and to all those who enjoyed this brilliant thread I recommend this book.

Just wanted to add my appreciation and gratitude for this epic travel report. I've worked on and off in Congo (North and South Kivu) since 2005, but I have never ventured this far inland or attempted a journey of this magnitude.

Much respect

Joova

I am another very satisfied reader!
Your tenacity and determination (both of you) is very inspiring!

May I ask where you are now?
Are you still travelling?
Do you still have the battled landcruiser?

Thanks again!

For the last 4 hours I have been reading all your reports and your reasoning at the end and first of all, you have apologised a couple of times for being boring, there is no need at all for that, I have never read anything less boring, it held me completely riveted to my computer screen.
I've travelled overland to a few places but always been not too far from civilisation unlike you.
I have total admiration for what you have done, I could never have the courage and determination to achieve what you have succeeded in doing, my best wishes go to you and your partner.
May all your future travels be less traumatic.
Chas
PS
Landcruisers rule

Fred and Josephine,

Incredible story, I have been glued to the screen

Both of you are ambassadors for overland travellers and pay no attetion to the

negative comments...............jealousy is a bad thing and generally is from people

who do not have the balls to do what you did.

Total respect

Hi Fred & Josephine,
You probably don't remember us but we met you on the road in Congo Brazzaville shortly after you made it through the DRC. You were pretty exhausted but happy and now we know exactly why!
We talked for about an hour before I realized who you were. Turns out we had been using printouts of Radio Baobab waypoints and info off your website the whole time we were in West Africa since we didn't have any guidebooks. Never looked at the pictures so it took a while to realize haha.
It's really great to read your full story now. We traveled onwards to Japan, Korea and the Far East of Russia as well thanks to you. Wrecked the car on the way back from the Solstice Festival in Yakutsk so we lived in Tynda for a few months while sorting the car out again. Turned out to be one of the best experciences we've had on the whole trip. Russians are truly wonderful & hospitable people and we lived in a soviet style aparment block which was great. And we really got to know the far east of Russia and its resilient people.
We kept checking up on your website whenever we could and we were really happy to hear that you made it home and through Algeria in one piece.
We made it home as well although not nearly with as much difficulty as you.
Great to read your thoughts and reflections on the trip afterwards as well, we have had similar experiences and it also really widened our world view and I like to think it really changed us and that we´ve learned a lot.
All the best and hope to meet you again some day!
Best regards,
Onno and Monique

Here's a picture Monique took of us when we met you on the long sandy tracks in Congo:
DSD_0408a.jpg picture by jeweetzelf - Photobucket

What an amazing account
You both deserve high praise.
Brilliantly written. Honest and awe inspiring
Thank you