The Best and Worst of the Classic Shortcut: Bankass to Djenne

The Best

• We travelled through a unique, rural area of lovely oasis-like villages. The people along the way rarely spoke French, but greeted us warmly nonetheless.
• Out of the quiet dark that followed the magnificent force of the sandstorm, the distance weaving sounds of flute and drum played by Fulani hearders camped nearby.
• Coca Cola and American country music with the friendly, lonely Gendarme at the roadside checkpoint.

The Worst

• Beware of the Malian secondary road as it may lead to pushing ones bicycle through the sand for hours.
• 5 punctures in 45 km despite all best efforts at dodging thorns, the only things that seem to be growing out of the sand.
• And when at last you've come to console yourself with the romantic notion of travelling off the beaten track up pop a village of small children screeching "ça va Toubaaawb!" (no Lucy not Toubob, but Toubaaaaaawb, you would love it!)