We left Angola and sailed north to the Republic of Congo. Our original destination had been the Democratic Republic of Congo but there was political unrest there and the itinerary was changed. Pointe Noire was named when first discovered in the 1400s for a cluster of black boulders spotted from the ship. It now has a population of over 670,000 and has a lot of oil platforms and a big fishing industry. When we arrived near the port, we waited for the pilot to come from the shore. Finally he was spotted, but unfortunately, he sailed right past our ship to another. Our captain contacted those on shore and he was allowed to take our ship in to the harbor without a pilot. Things like this are very lax in the countries we visited. We were not allowed to take pictures in the port and we were given a police escort while on tour. Our coaches were air conditioned and it worked OK until the bus started moving, then the power diminished. Eventually, they opened two sunroofs to get air circulating.
This is one of the many oil rigs we passed on the coast - you can see the flame of expelled gases coming from another rig - to the left of the photo.
We drove from the port and saw a lot of garbage strewn about the streets - apparently the few dumpsters that had been placed around for collection, had been emptied by people looking for things they could use. This creek shouts 'water-borne diseases'.
Here's another area where the dumpsters have been emptied. I suppose when you have nothing, someone else's garbage might look good.
We drove inland to visit the Diosso Gorge. Erosion created the Gorge, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Congo". There are rock ridges and distinctive red rock cliffs, which reach up to 165 feet in height.
We were welcomed at the Gorge by children - always wanting their pictures taken and hoping for candies. We saw a lot of young girls carrying their younger siblings on their backs - a heavy weight and responsibility for these children.
These three youngsters had already received some candy. They must strike these poses from something they've seen on TV - we saw it a lot.
Here's a young family waiting to see us outside their house, as we drove by - such friendly people.
This poor soul was hauling water in huge plastic jugs .. can you imagine?
We left the Gorge and drove to the Diosso Museum - the former home of the king of the 7 tribes of Loanga. As you can see, they do not have the money to restore their historic buildings, etc. but it was quite interesting inside. Behind the museum were smaller buildings which had been for the king's wives.
One of the exhibits inside the museum - as you can see, it's a French speaking country - these are vestments - apparel worn by natives.
Each of our three coaches had a local guide - very friendly gentlemen.
More local residents who came to see the white people in the three big coaches.
We saw a lot of unfinished houses in all countries visited and were told that people put great stock in houses, so they start construction when they have money and stop when they run out. They will start again when they have more money. Sometimes it's years before houses are finished.
This is the hospital - I believe this was built by the Chinese - we saw their influence in many countries we visited.
We passed some really nice stucco houses - like this one - and abutting the far wall, was a plywood/tarp/metal hut where another family lived. The 'have nots' living next to the 'haves'.
This is one of the many oil rigs we passed on the coast - you can see the flame of expelled gases coming from another rig - to the left of the photo.
We drove from the port and saw a lot of garbage strewn about the streets - apparently the few dumpsters that had been placed around for collection, had been emptied by people looking for things they could use. This creek shouts 'water-borne diseases'.
Here's another area where the dumpsters have been emptied. I suppose when you have nothing, someone else's garbage might look good.
We drove inland to visit the Diosso Gorge. Erosion created the Gorge, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Congo". There are rock ridges and distinctive red rock cliffs, which reach up to 165 feet in height.
We were welcomed at the Gorge by children - always wanting their pictures taken and hoping for candies. We saw a lot of young girls carrying their younger siblings on their backs - a heavy weight and responsibility for these children.
These three youngsters had already received some candy. They must strike these poses from something they've seen on TV - we saw it a lot.
Here's a young family waiting to see us outside their house, as we drove by - such friendly people.
This poor soul was hauling water in huge plastic jugs .. can you imagine?
We left the Gorge and drove to the Diosso Museum - the former home of the king of the 7 tribes of Loanga. As you can see, they do not have the money to restore their historic buildings, etc. but it was quite interesting inside. Behind the museum were smaller buildings which had been for the king's wives.
One of the exhibits inside the museum - as you can see, it's a French speaking country - these are vestments - apparel worn by natives.
Each of our three coaches had a local guide - very friendly gentlemen.
More local residents who came to see the white people in the three big coaches.
We saw a lot of unfinished houses in all countries visited and were told that people put great stock in houses, so they start construction when they have money and stop when they run out. They will start again when they have more money. Sometimes it's years before houses are finished.
This is the hospital - I believe this was built by the Chinese - we saw their influence in many countries we visited.
We passed some really nice stucco houses - like this one - and abutting the far wall, was a plywood/tarp/metal hut where another family lived. The 'have nots' living next to the 'haves'.
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