After a slow morning, we go on a tour of the city. We hop into a mini-bus and they take us around to the local sights. We first stop off at the post office (not on their official route, but we want to check out our poste restante). We do well - we have 16 cards and a package from Lars' parents and one card from Jacqui's mom waiting for us. We were lucky to find that we had a package - the slip was filed under "F". Not sure why, but we found it as we would look over everyone else's shoulder as they looked for their mail. We tried to pick up our mail, but the customs guy was not there, so they told us to come back later.
We then head of to the dye pits, which are supposedly the oldest in Africa. But it is not very impressive. We then go to the old market and wander around. Again, not too much. It has seen better days. The market runs along a stream/sewer.
We then head to Dala hill, where we walk up for a view over the city. As it is so hazy, we cannot see too much. We then drive back down and along the old city walls and gates. We end up at the post office, were we are able to collect our package - it turns out to be three packages. We have had good luck. We will return tomorrow, as we are still missing at least one card and we want to see if it arrives in the meantime. One of the cards we got today was stamped as arriving today - 15 December, so we want to see what happens.
We walk back to the campsite, getting lunch on the way. We stop at a small restaurant and get some local dishes. We spend the afternoon at the campsite, taking it easy, working on our diaries, etc. We also read some of our cards from our parents - we will spread them over the days leading up to Christmas.
That evening we decide to have dinner at the Kano Club, which is a private club near the campsite that has been around for quite a while. We were told that we can get in if we pay a small fee, but it turns out that is only if you enter after 9 PM. We cannot wait that long, so we try an alternative route. We approach one of the members as he is entering and ask him if he will sign us in - he is kind enough to do so.
We then proceed to have an excellent meal. Lars and Paolo order pepper steak with chips and ask for two fried eggs on top and an extra portion of chips. Jacqui and Craig have a local dish made of rice and two "sauces". Ika has chicken and rice. We washed it down with a couple of beers each and a few liters of Sangria. The total bill for us (that is, Jacqui and Lars) came to a grand total of US$5!!! It was a great dinner, at least for Paolo and Lars. The staff at the club are great and are very friendly and helpful. After dinner and a few drinks, we wander back to the campsite and head to bed.