Sunday, 25 January 2009
From the roadbook...
Day 9. January 25. Finish: B2 Beach. Orientation 7am.
Today's destination can be reached from two directions. If you have a 4WD you should go through Banc D'arguin National Park to reach today's finish. Driver's in 2WD or those who don't want to risk spending the night (or the next two weeks) among the dunes can reach today's destination through a different route and won't be required to buy a ticket to the national park. Exit the main road farther south, closer to Nouakchott. After exiting the paved road, drive to the beach on a hard surfaced dirt road. It was in good shape in October 2008, but be ready for surprises. The hard part will begin where the hard surface ends. There's a 50m stretch of soft sand between the hard road and the beach road. Be creative here. This used to be the day when jerry cans needed to be filled. Today there is a gas station before the entrance to the national park. Fill up your car here. Make sure you have plenty of water for today and tomorrow. Have four days worth of water and you may want an extra can of fuel in case you get lost.
Today's stage will take you through several fishing villages. The fish here is outstanding. Usually these waters are off limits to international fishing boats. Only the indigenous people are allowed to fish here in their traditional vessels. If you want to have fresh fish tonight for dinner, stop at any of the villages and support the local economy. They'll clean the fish for you as well for a petit cadeau.
If you make it to Nouamghar, please check out the National Park. If you didn't buy a ticket at the entrance you'll be required to buy one here.
If you have kid's clothes or school supplies, look for the teacher in Nouamghar, who is a really nice guy and leave some stuff for the families who live here.
Visit the police station in Nouamghar and make sure you let them know that you've passed through the village.
After Nouamghar you must drive on the beach. Don't go too close to the waves. You don't want to end up in South America. Don't park your car right on the beach. It may get washed away when the tides change. Be careful! Last year, some rocket scientists on the rally got their car filled up with water and it had to be rescued after the high tide was gone.
According to the Ministry of Tidal Affairs, conveniently located next door to the Ministry of Funny Walks, the tides are the following: January 26 - High tide: 11.20am Low tide: 5.07pm
This means that from around 4pm you should be able to drive on the beach without any problems. The tide data is never reliable. If you get stuck and can't get to the camp on time, just stay put and try to get to camp with the next low tide, which should be around 4 and 5am.
If you can't reach the campsite because of the tide, don't panic. Set up camp wherever you are and join the rest of the crew the following dy. You can spend the night with the Imraguen tribe in Nouamghar or go back to the National Park if you'd rather not be around other people.
A few thoughts about today's campsite: It's a virgin beach. There's no infrastructure of any kind. Just you, the sand and the ocean. However, the monthly tide washed out some sea waste recently. So you may find plastic containers, fishing nets or dried turtle corpses on the beach. It shouldn't encourage you to leave your own trash. Instead, help us clean up this part of the beach. All garbage should be burnt behind the campsite tomorrow.
The ocean is great this time of the year, so don't forget your bathing suit and your beach toys.
Today's destination can be reached from two directions. If you have a 4WD you should go through Banc D'arguin National Park to reach today's finish. Driver's in 2WD or those who don't want to risk spending the night (or the next two weeks) among the dunes can reach today's destination through a different route and won't be required to buy a ticket to the national park. Exit the main road farther south, closer to Nouakchott. After exiting the paved road, drive to the beach on a hard surfaced dirt road. It was in good shape in October 2008, but be ready for surprises. The hard part will begin where the hard surface ends. There's a 50m stretch of soft sand between the hard road and the beach road. Be creative here. This used to be the day when jerry cans needed to be filled. Today there is a gas station before the entrance to the national park. Fill up your car here. Make sure you have plenty of water for today and tomorrow. Have four days worth of water and you may want an extra can of fuel in case you get lost.
Today's stage will take you through several fishing villages. The fish here is outstanding. Usually these waters are off limits to international fishing boats. Only the indigenous people are allowed to fish here in their traditional vessels. If you want to have fresh fish tonight for dinner, stop at any of the villages and support the local economy. They'll clean the fish for you as well for a petit cadeau.
If you make it to Nouamghar, please check out the National Park. If you didn't buy a ticket at the entrance you'll be required to buy one here.
If you have kid's clothes or school supplies, look for the teacher in Nouamghar, who is a really nice guy and leave some stuff for the families who live here.
Visit the police station in Nouamghar and make sure you let them know that you've passed through the village.
After Nouamghar you must drive on the beach. Don't go too close to the waves. You don't want to end up in South America. Don't park your car right on the beach. It may get washed away when the tides change. Be careful! Last year, some rocket scientists on the rally got their car filled up with water and it had to be rescued after the high tide was gone.
According to the Ministry of Tidal Affairs, conveniently located next door to the Ministry of Funny Walks, the tides are the following: January 26 - High tide: 11.20am Low tide: 5.07pm
This means that from around 4pm you should be able to drive on the beach without any problems. The tide data is never reliable. If you get stuck and can't get to the camp on time, just stay put and try to get to camp with the next low tide, which should be around 4 and 5am.
If you can't reach the campsite because of the tide, don't panic. Set up camp wherever you are and join the rest of the crew the following dy. You can spend the night with the Imraguen tribe in Nouamghar or go back to the National Park if you'd rather not be around other people.
A few thoughts about today's campsite: It's a virgin beach. There's no infrastructure of any kind. Just you, the sand and the ocean. However, the monthly tide washed out some sea waste recently. So you may find plastic containers, fishing nets or dried turtle corpses on the beach. It shouldn't encourage you to leave your own trash. Instead, help us clean up this part of the beach. All garbage should be burnt behind the campsite tomorrow.
The ocean is great this time of the year, so don't forget your bathing suit and your beach toys.