July 31, Thursday . Kolwesi
A lazy morning sitting outside in the observation car for 90 minutes or so after breakfast and then reading inside the car until 15 minutes before lunch. Then the dreaded walk along the corridors to the dining room. During lunch we were told, which we already knew that we were not going to get to Kolwesi in time to visit the Copper mine and therefore the copper mine visit was being scrapped. We had seen couple of mines out of the train window with all their large machinery.
The alternative plan now was to leave the train at 3 pm and go to the lake where we had been due to have had a brunch in the morning and so we had dinner there instead. But we knew we would not reach the coaches by 3 pm and indeed it was 4.30 before we did.. Then we were informed that it was a 90 minute drive to the lodge. So we arrived at this extraordinary hotel/palace just after the Sun had gone down and walked round it once grandiose grounds which were now in a state of neglect. Supposedly it had been a palace for the president once upon a time but who knows?
It was called Katebi Lodge. Having looked at the lake in the dusk and the empty huge swimming pool and fountain system all empty. We went back inside where there were huge tables set up and waited. David eventually went to investigate and found a buffet but nobody told us. This was fairly nondescript. But the lads from the train had brought the wine along and this was served to us. We set off home soon after nine. The original plan had been for the train to continue during our absence so that it was nearer to us but in fact it had not been able to move because of a broken rail .and we had to go back to our point of exit. It was near 23.00 before we got back. A bit of a wasted evening.
To get a larger photo, click on a thumbnail below
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We never did see the Copper Mine, but this is what it would have looked like
To get a larger photo, click on a thumbnail below
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And the track was really dodgey all day with a great number of ballast stones removed to get at the soil beneath
To get a larger photo, click on a thumbnail below
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