Day 165 – Sun 14 Mar – 14,265km, Kinshasa, DRC

After much deliberation, a few beers & the flip of a coin, I’ve finally decided to stick to the original route by taking on Angola with a 5-day transit visa and trying to acquire extensions along the way. Pioneering Kinshasa to Lubumbashi will have to wait for my next holidays! Unfortunately I’ve had to further delay my departure until Monday to ensure that my visa will expire on a week day so that I am able to apply for an extension. The enforced break has at least provided a fun insight into the UN, NGO and Embassies dominated expat community and I’ve been treated to fine food, drink and company all week. Today I was even invited to join the Kinshasa Hash House Harriers for my first ever ‘hashing’ experience. While battling our way along overgrown rural tracks in pursuit of trails left by the hares was a lot of fun, it quickly became apparent that the post run drinks were just as much a part of the experience and as a first timer, christened ‘Jesus’, thanks to my bearded appearance, I was subject to rather more beer than is wise for a Sunday afternoon. Despite life’s recent opulence, I can’t wait to be back on the road tomorrow, downing warm purified water, wolfing copious amounts of deep fried street food & collapsing unwashed in my tent after a hard day in the saddle!