Monrovia is alive. The drive into the city was pure chaos—honking horns, weaving traffic, and that magical kind of gridlock where a 10-minute drive somehow transforms into an hour-long odyssey. Honestly, it felt less like driving and more like surviving. But we made it!
The big win of the day? We secured our Cameroon visas—another stamp closer to the finish line. With that bit of paperwork out of the way, there was even time for some shopping. I treated myself to a bottle of one of my favorite whiskeys, safely tucked away for Christmas Day celebrations. Because if you can’t toast to surviving West African roads on Christmas, when can you?
I’m also starting to feel much more at ease here. The longer we travel, the more comfortable I get with chatting to locals, navigating markets, and eating at street-side food stalls. I’m even dabbling in local dishes when I can (though “vegetarian” remains a bit of a foreign concept outside the cities). Conversations often start with a smile, a proper handshake—which I’ve mastered now—and sometimes a few words of Krio or the local dialect. It’s usually just a “thank you” or something basic, but people always light up when you make the effort.
Speaking of heart-pounding experiences, I had my first go on a motorcycle taxi. For anyone feeling nostalgic about their most reckless teenage years, this is the way to relive it. Clinging to the back of a speeding bike, dodging potholes, pedestrians, and cars, all while questioning your life choices—it’s exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure. Highly recommend (but also, maybe don’t).
Tomorrow, we leave the urban chaos behind and head to Kpatawee Waterfall camp for Christmas —two nights to relax, celebrate, and hopefully enjoy some downtime before hitting the road again. I can’t wait to crack open that whiskey, share stories by the fire, and enjoy a bit of overland holiday magic.
Merry Overlanding Christmas—bring on the celebrations!
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