Early morning on December 18, 2011, four adventurous youths eagerly departed their university dorm abode. They had a vague idea of where they were going, a blurry image of what they hoped to find, and no clue what they were doing.
Mid semester, after time had permitted joyous unions between strangers, one man proposed an idea. The idea was grand, marvelous, and terribly unpredictable. Its magnitude alone was enough to dwarf any experience held by its creator, and that of his companions. With careful scrutiny, the idea was planted in the minds of those deemed worthy, where it germinated and grew into possibility. With the aid of local enthusiasts, the essential supplies were meticulously gathered. Despite the relaxed, painfully slow nature of the environment, the four young explorers acquired everything they believed they would need to survive for five weeks on their own, four grains of sand in a vast, dark ocean. They carried no tent, no backpack, no stove, no compass, one map (picked out of a handy tourism pamphlet), and an extra helping of will power. With only the essentials, like medical supplies, repair tools, flash lights, and appropriate clothing (including one pretty red dress) the four team members embarked on possibly the most extensive exploratory journey of its kind.
A 35 day, 2500 kilometer circumnavigation of one of Africa’s greatest nations, Ghana, all from the unimaginably painful seat of a bicycle. The four: Frazer Tear, Frog, self proclaimed instigator and leader, sleep hater, 6’ 5”, 175 lbs, ginger. Armando Jesus Vargas Estrella, C-Rane, mediator, morale bringer, FanMilk supporter, 5’9”, 140lbs, Mexican. Margarita Gonzalez Gonzalez, E.T., accommodation expert, gesturist, photographer, 5’ 5”, 120lbs, also Mexican. Evelyn Masoner, Lee Jew Ha, laugher, eater, wilderness first responder, 5’6”, 130lbs, Jew.
Together they rode, wind at their backs (almost never), into the great unknown. Tears and sad goodbyes, classes and lecture halls, beds and fans, all left behind for the lure of adventure, and the inescapable attraction of discovery.
ROUTE
ROUTE
Day 1 - Winneba
Day 2 - Cape Coast
Day 3 - Takoradi
Day 4 - Busua
Day 5 - Green Turtle Lodge
Day 6 - Tarkwa
Day 7 - Gyapa
Day 8 - Kumasi
Day 9 - Nkenkaasu
Day 10 - Wenchi
Day 11 - Kwame Kwasi
Day 12 - Bole
Day 13 - Nyoli
Day 14 - Wa
Day 15 - Wa
Day 16 - Wahabu
Day 17 - Tumu
Day 18 - Nakong
Day 19 - Navrongo
Day 20 - Bolgatanga
Day 21- Tamale
Day 22 - Tamale
Day 23 - Yendi
Day 24 - Bimbila
Day 25 - Nkwanta
Day 26 - Kadjebi
Day 27 - Hohoe
Day 28 - Peki
Day 29 - Akosombo
Day 30 - Lake Volta
Day 31 - Yeji
Day 32 - Atebubu
Day 33 - Mampong
Day 34 - Nkawkaw