Up early again for more unknown; that is to say that I knew we were going on a boat trip on the Niger for several hours from Mopti north to Konna, but I had no clear idea what to expect. This is of course part of the adventure. As absolutely nothing had disappointed so far and as everything had been a pure delight, we were already filled with gleeful anticipation. Yet again, the reality superseded even positive expectations. We arrived at the port where al the hustle and bustle of the market had taken place last night to a serene, gracious and generous river. We boarded our pinasse and for five leisurely hours of sheer beauty past a few villages with beautiful mosques, kids splashing in the water, fishermen, zebu doing their work, the graceful, strong women carrying their wares on their heads, but mostly we luxuriated in the peace and pace as well as the grandeur and silence of the river itself, its kingfishers, pretty waders, storks, plovers, swallows, martins, noisy bulbuls, bright yellow bee-eaters, beautiful turquoise rollers….and hippos! The boat boy prepared us all fried fish and potatoes on a gas oil cooker on board. We were reluctant to arrive in Konna and almost negotiated to continue up the Niger for another few days up to Tombouctou. Lamine was waiting for us at Konna and down we went to Sangha, in Dogon country for the night. Once south of Bandiagara we were in Dogon country.
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