Nouadhibo

After the mandatory top up on breads and pastries at the Patisserie in the morning we continued our journey north to Nouadhibo. We were in for a long haul as the distance between Nouakchott and Nouadhibo is just under 500 km with literally nothing but a few tents of locals and petrol stations between cities. 

   This day would also turn out to be one of extreme climates. An hour into the trip it got very misty and the winds picked up. It looked like a sandstorm but a wet one if that makes any sense. We had to wipe the mist/sand of our visors every few minutes. This was also the first time during the entire trip both Rory and I were absolutely freezing and had to stop to close the jacket vents and put on a scarf.

   How thankful were we when we finally got out of it and felt the sun warming us up. Only until it turned to the other extreme.

   As we had already experienced the day before, Mauritania is definitely the hottest of all the countries we have travelled through. It had been very hot and humid in the previous countries of course. Though a different kind of heat which we're probably used to from Ghana. The Mauritanian heat is dry, with even the air feeling hot on the skin while riding. 

   The bones and behinds were aching (understatement) when we finally arrived at the Peninsula of Noudahibo. We admired the long iron ore train as well as the stunning view of the turquoise Atlantic ocean. We passed a beautiful arch riding into the city. Looking for food we found an inexpensive Polish run restaurant where we treated ourselves to Roulades :) 

Gaffney being Daffney

Sand and humidity in the (cold) air 

The difference in temperature only an hour later... even the camels put a smile on

To da wesht of Galway

Escape from the midday heat and pit stop at a petrol station

Iron ore train at Nouadhibo - the only rail line in Mauritania. It can be as long as 3 km.