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Thursday, November 5, 1998
Sevoré (Mopti) to Nombori, Mali
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Map
Nombori, Mali:
Latitude: 14° 19' 48" North
Longitude: 3° 24' 17" West
From Seattle: 7461 miles
Lodging: Camp - Roof

Map
Today's Travel:
Country: Mali
Regions: Mopti, Dogon Country
Route: Bush Taxi: Sevoré - Bandiagara; Car: Bandiagara - Dourou; Hike: Dourou - Nombori
Start: Sevoré (Mopti)
Stop 1. Bandiagara
Stop 2. Dourou
End:Nombori, Mali
Linear:50 miles
Weather: Sunny

Available Photos:

Desert-scape East of Mopti, Mali

Rock canyon Near Dourou, Dogon Country, Mali

Sunset Near Dourou, Dogon Country, Mali

View down escarpment canyon Above Nombori, Dogon Country, Mali

View from middle of escarpment Above Nombori, Dogon Country, Mali

All photo images © 1997-2000 Anthony Jones - Images may not be used without prior written approval.

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Map
Trip Stats to Date:
Day: 574
Linear Dist: 83139
Countries Visited: 39
Regions Visited: 165
More stats...
Hotels: 172
Friends / Family: 155
Camping: 44
Hostels: 143
Transit: 53
Other Lodging: 6
Beers: 2011
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Journal Entry:
As usual I woke up after only a few hours of sleep. So I was awake at three when Andrea wandered in to use the bathroom (she had borrowed my sleeping bag and decided to sleep on the roof) I talked to her for a few minutes then she went back to the roof. A few minutes later she was back - everything she'd left on the roof was gone (including my sleeping bag). The guard was down in the courtyard and immediately started searching - but no sign. In the ten minutes that Andrea was gone someone had climbed up to the roof (no idea how, it had to be 15 feet high) and taken everything - the mattress, pillow, sheets, and sleeping bag! Very annoying.

With four hours of sleep. we were at the gare before 7, waiting for the bâché to fill up. Just after noon we're finally on our way (a 5+ hour wait for a 2- hour drive). The our would-be guides attacked before the bâché had even come to a stop. We found one that had been recommended, but he can't go so he recommenced a friend. We made our arrangements (argued about price, wrote up a contract, and agreed to meet at 4:15 to head out). Found a small restaurant and had a great lunch of Tigadigana (peanut) sauce and rice. A rough hour ride to the trail head at Dourou and we begin our four days of trekking.

The hike starts out across some beautiful desert terrain, then cuts down a canyon that opens up looking down the escarpment over a wonderland of flat desert, lush trees, small villages, and rocky mesas / plateaus. Get in to the village of Nombori just after dark. Nombori is wonderfully picturesque, with cliff dwellings (ruins, and maybe some still in use?) perched above the village. The newer section of the village (farther from the escarpment's face) was the same construction as the old section, round mud brick houses, small graceful mud mosques, and little square thatched one room buildings (look like classic outhouses) built in compound walls (also - surprise - made of mud). We slept on mats under the stars on a rooftop. The sounds of distant drumming, not so distant chanting and yelling (?), and lots of animal noises serenaded us to sleep.


Related Sites:
US State Department Consular Information Sheets: Mali
CIA World Fact Book: Mali

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