The Heart of Africa

[mpiodi]

Dear friends

It's already some time ago I visited regularly the Northeast of Congo near the border of Sudan and Central Africa. Many of my pics I already showed you in other threads came from this region. As they found some interest I want to add some more - this time, hopefully, in better resolution.

As there is no possibility to reach the region by car every trip starts by plane: Landing on the airstrip of Amadi/ Bas Uele.

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... and then, we continue by car

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.. across the endless african bush

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Arrival in Poko. The palms are often in bad condition because birds are using the fronds to build their nests

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Market in Poko

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more

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Palm oil seller

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.. and it's use in the kitchen

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Let's continue by car - at least let's have a try

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... because the road is really not easy, especially after rain

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... and if there are obstacles on the way

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bridges are a special challenge. Here is the first example...

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closer...

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Nevertheless, we are approaching the Heart of Africa: Niangara is the geographical center of the continent. I hope you can decode the name on the roadpost.

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Some impression nearby the road

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Don't miss the Raphia in the background!

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sometimes the road is completely overgrown

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Therefore it may be better to change the vehicle

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This bridge was even a challenge with motorcycle

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Arrival in Mawa Geitu

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The Primary School

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Closeup

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Intérieur - I am sorry: I was wrong: It's a secondary school!

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Some more village impressions

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Construction

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Searching for water

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... and fire wood

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no comment

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.. burial

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The trip ends by the easiest way back to starting point Amadi - by pirogue on the Uele river

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I already posted this picture once, but I like it so much...

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The beautiful main place of Amadi

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.. in the dawn before take off

[Kim]

Wolfgang -- I never fail to be enthralled by your photo essays, they are both amusing and emotive. You have quite a welcoming committee at the air strip, such a narrow strip of grass cut out of the jungle! I showed this series to my husband, he was quite amazed. He wondered if the steel part of the bridge was built by the French? Thanks for sharing your life with us.

[mpiodi]

....................... bye

[mpiodi]

I showed this series to my husband, he was quite amazed. He wondered if the steel part of the bridge was built by the French? Thanks for sharing your life with us.

Thanks Kim. I am happy if you like my photos.

Of course, the steel bridge was built by the colonial administration, in our case the Belgians - I guess, maybe, in the 50ies or even earlier.

Wolfgang

[Walter John]

Fantastic photo journey Wolfie, it certainly does touch the senses, thank you for posting, those oil palms look well.

[Jeff Searle]

Hi Wolfgang,

I always enjoy and look forward to seeing pictures from your trips from that part of the world. I have a few questions maybe you can answer for me,

Do you live there fulltime, or make trips for business purposes? And do speak the language fluently, and what do they speak?

What palms if any, are native to this area?

And the last question, what might the animal leg that was for sale in the market in post #6?

Thank you very much and post more pictures if you have them.

Jeff

[kylecawazafla]

I love the red earth and the green forest. It almost reminds me of Christmas! Your photos seem like they're taking of a fairy tale land!!

[John in Andalucia]

It's wonderful seeing Africa like this. So often do we see a very different side, that it's a real pleasure to see normal, everyday life.