Congo 4: My heart sank

I awoke the next morning with a crushing headache. It eased as the day became a repeat of the day before. We visited several villages and covered 100 kilometres by nightfall. Unfortunately, I was still not at my destination as 50 of those kilometres had been side-trips to villages off the main road.

Once again, Pierre took me to visit his wife and children. “I suppose you have a wife in Makabana, to,” I said jokingly. “How did you know that?” said Pierre, surprised. Then a glint of recognition came to his face. “You've been talking to Jurgen, haven't you? He must have told you.”

Now that I understood Pierre's timetable, I awoke the next morning confident of reaching my destination. We travelled quickly until, outside a large town called Kibangou, we were stopped at a police checkpoint. A stern-faced officer perused my passport. “You didn't get your passport stamped in Lobo.” he said, referring to a forgettable village 80 kilometres back down the road. “You will have to return there to get it stamped.”

My heart sank.

David Bennett 
(to be continued) 

Piran - a pearl of the Adriatic coast.

Discover this small and charming town, also known as the pearl of the Slovenian coast.
The town is situated on a peninsula that ends in the promontory Punta Madonna, which used to be populated already in pre-Roman times.
The origin of its name derives from the Greek word PYR (fire)  for there was always a fire burning on the promontory to warn sailors at sea.

Places to see:
* Tartini Square, which is dedicated to the most famous citizen of Piran, the municipal palace, Venetian palace and the church of St. Peter.
* Franciscan monastery with a baroque cloister.
* Don' miss the Maritime Museum & Aquarium.

* Punta or Cape Madonna. On Punta you can enjoy in the view over both – the Gulf of Trieste and Croatian Savudria.
* 1st May Square which was once the main square of Piran. On the square you can find a large stone cistern, which was once used to collect rainwater from houses around the square.
* Church of St. George from the 17th century with baroque interior, where you can find interesting statue of St. George in battle with a dragon.

One of the greatest treasures of Piran can be found behind the altar: the Piran crucifix which dates back to the 14th century (usually you can see the interior of the church only through a fence. To enter the church you have to pay admission in Parish Museum of St George).
On a clear day you can enjoy the great view from the church terrace all the way from the Gulf of Trieste in the front, to the Julian Alps and even the Dolomites.
* You will get an even better view if you have enough energy to climb the famous Piran Ramparts. 

Slovenian

Slovenes