The Congo - The Lions on the Road: Cycling London to Cape Town - page 191

For the first time in a while, I slept like a baby. I woke up at 6:00 a.m. and waited
for Father Marion to return from the market. He bought some bread and doughnuts which
we had with sweet coffee and we resumed our engaging conversation from the night be-
fore. Just before I left, we took our photo together using my self-timer and then it was time
to say good-bye. I thanked him again for his kindness and then set off.
Under an overcast sky, I started cycling. At first, the road was great but soon it de-
teriorated to potholes and corrugated surfaces with lots of sand (so much for what the of-
ficer saidabouthowgreat theroadwastothecapital). Myspeedwasattimes atacrawling
pace but in terms of scenery, I felt as if I changed TV channels and began to watch Mutual
of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. There were views of vast open plains minus the large animals.
In fact, the only wildlife I came across were the birds that seemed to accompany me as I
slowly plodded on. Since I started early, by lunchtime I only had 25 kilometres or so left. I
stopped in a village and bought some mangoes which the seller cut up for me.
I spent the last 16 kilometres saying the Rosary as I made my way on the gravel
roadtoKibangou.TheroadledmethroughbeautifulhillswhichremindedmeofAustria.I
couldn't emphasize enough the splendour in the views, the prettiness of the villages them-
selves and the calming symphonic sounds of the birds.
When I arrived in Kibangou, I was told to leave my passport at the police station.
I was hesitant at first for I never had to that before. I reluctantly complied and was told to
pick it up when I departed the town. I went to visit the small church and was asked to wait
forAlphonsuswhowasinchargeoftheproperty.Ileftandpassedthetimebuyingsupplies
in the market from a Mauritanian shop owner.
When Alphonsus arrived, he gave me a room and then I cleaned myself for dinner.
His wife cooked for us and Alphonsus and I ate together. I wasn't much of a conversation-
alistforIwasmentally andphysically exhaustedfromcyclingonthegravelroad.Iwentto
bed early and really hoped for a day-off soon.
The next day I set an ambitious goal to arrive in Loubomo by late afternoon. I was
readytoleaveat6:15a.m.butbecausemypassportwasstillatthepolicestationIcouldn't.