41 Comments
User's avatar
Teodora Gaydarova's avatar

Will there be another post about the pirogue and the archipelago?

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Hi, yes there will be!

Expand full comment
Claire at Backpacking Bella's avatar

Wow, thanks so much for writing about this country and sharing your photos and videos. I'd never heard of Guinea Bissau before. Fascinating stuff. Looking forward to reading about your trip to the islands!

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

thanks so much claire!

Expand full comment
Phil Nolan's avatar

A great update. Flashbacks to my times in Brazil with all the tudo bem’s! 😂 great that you’re back in Europe from May, hopefully we can meet up somewhere! 🍻x

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Yes, I was saying to J that this time we absolutely must make an overnight stop at yours between Scotland and England. It's quite likely we'll do that at least once by car. xx

Expand full comment
Phil Nolan's avatar

That’d be great, Grantham station is very close and on the main LNER line from KGX to Edinburgh, if you decide to let the train take strain x

Expand full comment
Vanlife Ruminations's avatar

Wow what an amazing trip! Just subscribed! Dyou think it’s doable to drive through (and to) Guinea Bissau without a 4x4? We are going to lift our van a bit but it’s still a 2x4.

Can’t wait for your next stories!

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Hello and welcome!

Yeah it’s totally doable. Good ground clearance is definitely helpful, although lots of locals are slamming their low slung 2-wheel drives along these crappy roads! The key thing is to avoid rainy season as mud will be your enemy on some sections. Up to Guinea Bissau though, the biggest issue is broken roads and potholes. Things get a bit worse in Guinea. Your main restriction will be perhaps being more reticent about some wild-camping options and

desert driving in Morocco and Mauritania but these are optional (main roads are very good) and deserts can be done on tours. Happy planning!

Expand full comment
Vanlife Ruminations's avatar

Thank you for the detailed response!! So exciting!!

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

No problem. Feel free to message if needs be. There are some good FB groups for overlanding Morocco and West Africa. Are you defo doing it soonish?

Expand full comment
Vanlife Ruminations's avatar

Not soonish at all, we want to do it in a couple of years, we have other plans for 2025 and 2026 :)

You’re very kind, thank you!

Expand full comment
Davidicus's avatar

Loved the video of the lake. I put it on full screen and just drank it in!

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Ha! Glad to spread the joy 😎

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Thanks Hamish, great post! (I’m also from Scotland btw). Where’s next?

Expand full comment
Helen Foster's avatar

I was holding my breath to read about what happened on the journey to the islands....and your blog ended. Cannot wait for the next installment. Go well and safe both of you.

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Spoiler alert - we're still alive! More coming soon. :)

Expand full comment
Andy Aitchison's avatar

Loving this latest blog and so many fantastic pictures! What a trip it is for you both and thanks for sharing, the kayaking sounded and looked incredible. Nothin beats that silence of nothing but nature.

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Thanks Andy! It was amazing. Feel very lucky to see these barely visited places. See you soon in Brighton (which has a few more visitors than Canchungo).

Expand full comment
Derek Jolly's avatar

I feel like I’m reading Tom Sawyer again. Lucky I have an adventure to look forward to

Loved it as always Paula

Brilliant xx

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

😍. Thanks Ders. Xx

Expand full comment
Monica's avatar

so great to read you. Thank you Paula, keep going. Greetings to Jeremy

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Thank you Monica!

Expand full comment
GaryD's avatar

Great post - hugely informative - love your determination with everything including Portuguese ! How are you managing for online connections ? Keep well and safe travels, Gary

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Thanks Gary! I think our Portuguese belongs in the ‘incompetent’ category 😆. Online connections have been really variable. Sometimes it’s 🤬 but overall it’s working better than anticipated. We’re buying SIMs from 2 different networks, where possible, so we can maximise our chances of having good coverage.

Expand full comment
Julian Griffiths's avatar

Wow it looks beautiful, lovely writing of the country.

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Thanks Julian. It is gorgeous. Do it next time?!

Expand full comment
Julian Griffiths's avatar

I am sure we will Paula.

Expand full comment
Pablo Naboso's avatar

Guinea Bissau is the place to go.

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

We really loved it. Such a gentle place. It also gave us a lot of food for thought.

Expand full comment
Philippa Thomas's avatar

I’ve learned lots! I especially like your “speedy” journey through the forest.

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Vroom!!

Expand full comment
Richard Lister's avatar

Fabulous. What a great adventure. Thank you for blogging it.

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Thanks Richard. Hope you’re enjoying the sand 😎

Expand full comment
Mia and Willy's avatar

I'm so happy when I read your travel reports. It's the same what we see and feel on our journey through West Africa. You bring it on the point without judging them in a bad way. (Excuse my bad English 🥴)

Greetings from the ivory coast

Expand full comment
Paula Dear's avatar

Thanks both! There’s so much to say, and so little space…. We’re glad to hear you have made it to Ivory Coast. Enjoy!

Expand full comment