Good Day — November 28th
I stayed the night at Hotel Aho Aho in Yamoussoukro.
When I travel like this, I don’t really go out at night. It can be dicey, and there are more chances for encounters that are less positive. It’s also important to me that someone is watching the car overnight. Most hotels seem to have security, and while nothing is ever guaranteed, it definitely improves the odds.
It also helps a lot when the hotel has a restaurant on site, so I don’t have to go anywhere after dark. This place checked all the boxes.
The price was very reasonable — about 20,000 CFA, roughly $35 — and that included breakfast. Payment is always its own adventure. Sometimes Visa works, sometimes it doesn’t, and often it takes a second or third try. Occasionally it fails completely and I have to come up with cash.
This time it worked out. I had an enjoyable dinner and a cold beer to celebrate making it into Ivory Coast.
On the Road to Abidjan
Today was the day to move on to Abidjan. Once again, I was treated to excellent roads and noticeable overhead cameras.
It’s genuinely fun driving through this part of the country — rubber trees, banana plants, and so much greenery everywhere.
Meeting Douglas
Along the way, I met Douglas, who is from Ivory Coast. His family lives in Canada so his kids can learn both French and English, while he spends about two months a year back in Ivory Coast.
He works in exporting wood harvested in Ivory Coast to India and China, and he’s now expanding into rubber-related products for Canada. He showed me sample photos of what he’s sending out.
He also explained that 80 to 90 percent of the latex that comes from rubber trees is actually water. That water has to be processed out quickly before transport.
There’s a lot to learn about these industries. Douglas was a very focused and interesting guy, clearly running businesses across multiple countries.
Arriving in Abidjan
I made it to Abidjan in really good time — before noon — which gave me a chance to work on visas.
At the Ghana embassy, I finally got a clear explanation of what’s required. Everything has to be submitted online first. A transit visa is cheaper than a tourist visa, and how fast you get it depends on how much you pay.
You also need hotel reservations, a visa for Togo, proof that you can support yourself, and proof of onward travel. It’s quite a process.
That’s now my project for the weekend, because without a visa, you can’t move forward.
The Togo Visa
I then went to the Togo consulate, where they gave me an application for the Togo visa. With help from someone who spoke English, I was able to get everything filled out.
My French works — just a little slowly.
The cost of the Togo visa was 45,000 CFA, roughly $75. If all goes well, it should be ready by Monday.
Finding a Place to Stay
I still needed a place to stay in Abidjan. I ended up at the same hotel I had previously booked and canceled due to date changes.
I had already paid a $30 cancellation fee, but staying there directly was cheaper this time. Security for the car was a bit questionable, but I took the chance.
Fuel and Final Logistics
At the diesel station, credit cards weren’t accepted. Dollars weren’t accepted either. That meant finding a bank and sorting out cash.
In the end, it all worked out. I filled both tanks, which should get me at least into Ghana — maybe even through it.
Now it’s just a matter of timing. How long I stay in each place and who I’ll see along the way is still uncertain.
Welcome to the Africa tour.
Thanks for coming along. More tomorrow.
