17th November - Tabaski - and to Djenne

By text - 12:29.

Bush camping last night was one of our best campsites yet; no mosquitoes, a cool breeze, and a large enough space to spread out.

See left - life in the truck cab, and evidence that some basic hygiene was done (that's a toothbrush in Matt's hand).

Then on to the historic 13th city of Djenne, through very lush countryside; lakes, trees, small villages celebrating Tabaski, everyone in their best clothes - lots of Obama t-shirts, and only the sheep not having a good day.

Now through marshland, approaching a ferry that will take us through the Niger inland delta to Djenne.

By Text - 21:05.

Djenne this afternoon was stunning, and also indicative of the state of Mali's tourist industry. the mosque is the most photographed building in west Africa, but today we were pretty well the


only tourists in town. We were given a tour by the very personable Yaya and we picked our way between roasting sheep's heads and small boys
using rams' scrotums as whoopie cushions. The town is on an island, so the ferry there and back made us sitting ducks for the sale of jewellery, tin toys, woodcarvings etc.

Set up a bush camp near a couple of villages, from which about 20 children came to watch us eat, dance to the truck's sound system and do our washing up.