The tour finished yesterday afternoon and I’m not quite sure which feeling is strongest: relief, sadness or excitement about going home. Probably the latter! The Chez Salim hotel where we’re staying is very comfortable with spacious grounds, multiple swimming pools, food, beer and a money changer. I think it’s everything I need for a relaxing day of good-byes, decompression and packing.
It was a mellow day. Wytze found a place on Google for lunch, so we went with Ype to check it out. It was a hot walk and the place was closed for the day but they offered us beers. We sat on the back deck in the shade, looking at the view of Lac Rose. I had seen photos of the lake when it’s pink, in the dry season but that’s not now and it looks normal.
We walked back and had a swim in the pool, then a so-so pizza lunch at the hotel restaurant. After that, it was time for Wytze to head off to the airport in a big taxi with a large number of bikes on the roof. Saying good bye was hard – who knows when we’ll get to ride together again. Ype was pretty relaxed since he doesn’t have to start driving back to Holland until tomorrow.
I worked on packing my bike for a while, until Wytze texted saying they had been stopped by the police. I got the receptionist to call the taxi driver’s boss to try and get things fixed. After 30 minutes they finally got moving again. They ended up getting stopped three more times but making it in time for everyone’s flights.
There were still about 15 of us around at dinner. We all ate together, then Andre, Joan, Kris and I went swimming at 10:30 to end the evening.
Nathan's Blog 
Goodbyes are so tough when you are so attached and bonded by so much hard work, fun, adventure, and mileage. Sending you love as you finish them up. Looking forward to hugging you in a few days!
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