Nouakchott (MAU) : desert capital

N 18°06.164' W 015°59.817'
Travelling south on the brand new asphalt road completed only a few months ago it was an easy 520 km cruise with not much more than sandscapes, one small town and a few heimas of the desert nomads to be seen. Unfortunately our attempt to enter the national park on the coast was confounded by what else could it be - SAND! Every time we will remember Gilly's (one of the Frenchmen we met in Daklah) words 'fait attencion a le sable...'. Before the road was constructed the only way to get to Nouakchott was a piste for half the distance and the rest had to be done along the beach during low tide. That would not have been possible with our heavy bike still fitted with road-, as opposed to off-road tyres. Despite the military coup in August 2005 all was quiet and normal in Nouakchott. Our biggest worry was coping with Mauretanian drivers who I think are more used to driving in the desert where there is lots of empty space! Although the capital of a Muslim country, Nouakchott's sand-blown streets feel more African than any town in Morroco. 'La nave' got a change of oil and we were ready to explore the interior.