A beautiful drive over huge desert plains on good highways. We are now in Western Sahara, an area with turbulent history since the Spanish left what was called "Spanish Sahara" in 1976. Morocco and Mauritania parted the area between them, but the local Polisario made Mauritania give up their part, leaving that too for Morocco. 

Today Morocco is controlling the area, while the Polisario goverment (SADR) is in exile in Algeria. Military checkpoints are common, and we have spent the day showing passports and handing out small cadeau´s (bribes). Landmines are also common in this area. 

In fact, Sebastian and I thought that "the landmines" everyone has been talking about were on the border between Mauritania and Morocco that we will cross tomorrow, not here. After reading in the roadbook (that we got yesterday, and just looked through to kill some time) we suddenly became aware of the lines describing todays stage: "Over the course of the day you will see many signs that appear to resemble buried mines, SO DON´T GET OFF THE ROAD". 

We read that after spending a good half hour playing on the sandy plains along the road. Beautiful small sandy mountains, perfect for high speed navigation and photo shooting. Right now we are feeling very very stupid and very very lucky. To our defense we would just like to say; "We didn´t know!". Ignorance is bliss. 

In a few minutes we will meet the other teams who have left the race and will continue with us to Bamako. We are now rolling in in front of the Hotel, and we see LOTS of B2 cars. We are not alone! 

EDIT:The meeting is over and we have received our Mali and Mauritanian liability insurance. The Godfather of Budapest-Bamako, Andrew, is running the show now and through his contacts have ensured that the mauritanian military will be observing and protecting us through their country. They will keep good track of all vehicles and make sure we arrive safely. All in all we are more than 40 cars and the journey has just become so much more exciting! 

We are also happy to see that the semitrailer with part of our medical donations is here. If all goes as planned we´ll be in Bamako in a matter of days to meat Adama and the rest of MHOP.