Day 168 - Wed 17 Mar - 14,641km, Novu, Angola  

After my experiences of the Kinshasa embassy it was a pleasant surprise to find the Angolan officials so laid back, even if it did extend to their opening times which made for a casual start to the day. Hilly, bone and bolt rattling dirt roads followed through open countryside and neat red sandstone villages full of extremely excitable locals. Indeed Bertha and I have been surrounded at every turn be it trying to make subtle currency exchanges, searching for my rain jacket, erecting my tent, washing or cooking, everything is done under the pressure of inquisitive crowds. I realise now how dependent I have been on my woeful French and with no Portuguese what so ever at my disposal even buying food is a challenge, let alone negotiating with officials! Thankfully though the Chinese have beaten me here so it looks like being tar all the way to Luanda.