Off to the big city

[Davex]

Going to Libreville tomorrow, this countries Capital. Main reason for going is to stock up on essentials; single malt and possibly cigars, although am not overly optimistic about finding the cigars
Going to be a few weeks before new supplies come in for me, am getting low. Libreville is one of the most expensive cities in Africa, but if i can find any they will be mine.

[DavidD]

Hello again David - I'd be interested to know how prices compare - presumably there is a premium to be paid ?

[Davex]

After spending several hours trawling through places i can confirm; you cannot buy cigars in Libreville

[Puff Scotty]

Sounds a bit like Norfolk...without the good weather..

[DavidD]

I bet the pheasant shooting in Libreville isn't a patch on Norfolk. Be thankful for something, Scotty !

[Davex]

Sounds a bit like Norfolk...without the good weather..

One of the strangest placest i have ever been, no street names or signs, no house\office numbers, no pavements apart from 1 road. No public transport, 3 sets of traffic lights for a population of 1 million people.
It is not unknown for the entire city to be without running water for 2 occasionally 4 days, think about the impact of that in a city with no water tanks\reservoirs; the last time it happened the shops ran out of bottled water; people where washing in it. Oh, and the oddest thing; because there are no public toilets, if somebody wants to pee they will just stop where they are and have one. The first time i saw this it was a bloke pissing against the (international) airport sign.
Because the traffic is so bad it can take 30 minutes to travel 1/2 a mile, but because it is so hot everyone uses cars anyway, fuel is cheap; the only thing that is.
So, actually a wee bit like Norfolk Puff.

[DavidD]

One of the strangest placest i have ever been, no street names or signs, no house\office numbers, no pavements apart from 1 road. No public transport, 3 sets of traffic lights for a population of 1 million people.
It is not unknown for the entire city to be without running water for 2 occasionally 4 days, think about the impact of that in a city with no water tanks\reservoirs; the last time it happened the shops ran out of bottled water; people where washing in it. Oh, and the oddest thing; because there are no public toilets, if somebody wants to pee they will just stop where they are and have one. The first time i saw this it was a bloke pissing against the (international) airport sign.
Because the traffic is so bad it can take 30 minutes to travel 1/2 a mile, but because it is so hot everyone uses cars anyway, fuel is cheap; the only thing that is.
So, actually a wee bit like Norfolk Puff.

So David, I presume from everything you have said, you didn't actually CHOOSE to live there ? I do see the similarities with downtown Norfolk !

[Davex]

So David, I presume from everything you have said, you didn't actually CHOOSE to live there ? I do see the similarities with downtown Norfolk !

Ah, you misunderstand me David, i live in a camp 200 miles away, went to Libreville for shopping.
The local town where i live NEVER has drinkable running water, population 10,000. Or street lights, actually it only has 1 paved road.
Off course i like the other 100 odd ex-pats have a nice house, on a nice camp with bar, gym, swimming pool etc, just no bloody cigars.