Anyone work/ed in The Congo before?

[Lambchopski]

As title, this is the Replublic and not the DRC which is apparently a bit mad

I might have the chance of a rotational land based job down there and just looking for a bit more info if anyone has been.

Any help welcome.

Even from other travelling in and out of other countries in West Africa.

Is it worth it? How do you cope with the travel? Any do's and dont's?

Cheers

Chop

[craig-A]

I did one trip to the Congo a few years ago, flew into Pointe Noire i think it was called, got picked up at the Airport, taken to the port, put on a boat out to the rig, Agip Katina IIRC, stayed on board for 5 weeks, boat back to the port, picked up by the same bloke and taken back to the airport for my flight home. Had to bribe my way in and out the airport as well.

This probably says a lot about the state of the place, however there were a few ex pats on the rig who rotated on-shore and off shore who seemed to like the place.

Probably not the answer you were looking for though.

Good luck.

[hollowpockets]

craig-A said:

Pointe Noire

Was speaking to guys this morning on the rig that said it was a great place to work... in terms of evening activities.

bribe's in and out of these places is fairly standard in many african destinations and no reason to write it off.

[Lambchopski]

craig-A said:

I did one trip to the Congo a few years ago, flew into Pointe Noire i think it was called, got picked up at the Airport, taken to the port, put on a boat out to the rig, Agip Katina IIRC, stayed on board for 5 weeks, boat back to the port, picked up by the same bloke and taken back to the airport for my flight home. Had to bribe my way in and out the airport as well.

This probably says a lot about the state of the place, however there were a few ex pats on the rig who rotated on-shore and off shore who seemed to like the place.

Probably not the answer you were looking for though.

Good luck.

Pointe Noire is where i'd be based and i've read that the airport hasd been described as the second worst in the world (i think thats what it was). I wonder what the worst is?

By bribe your way in and out what exactly we talking? Small amount of cash?

[Vipers]

Lambchopski said:

Pointe Noire is where i'd be based and i've read that the airport hasd been described as the second worst in the world (i think thats what it was). I wonder what the worst is?

T5?


Personally I would avoide West Africa like the plague...

[Lambchopski]

Vipers said:

Lambchopski said:

Pointe Noire is where i'd be based and i've read that the airport hasd been described as the second worst in the world (i think thats what it was). I wonder what the worst is?

T5?
Personally I would avoide West Africa like the plague...

It doesn't seem to be all that bad! From the reading i've done The Congo seems a lot safer than some places, Nigeria etc.

[craig-A]

Lambchopski said:

craig-A said:

I did one trip to the Congo a few years ago, flew into Pointe Noire i think it was called, got picked up at the Airport, taken to the port, put on a boat out to the rig, Agip Katina IIRC, stayed on board for 5 weeks, boat back to the port, picked up by the same bloke and taken back to the airport for my flight home. Had to bribe my way in and out the airport as well.

This probably says a lot about the state of the place, however there were a few ex pats on the rig who rotated on-shore and off shore who seemed to like the place.

Probably not the answer you were looking for though.

Good luck.

Pointe Noire is where i'd be based and i've read that the airport hasd been described as the second worst in the world (i think thats what it was). I wonder what the worst is?

By bribe your way in and out what exactly we talking? Small amount of cash?

Just a small amount of cash, a couple of quids worth. Unfortunately, being my first trip to Africa i only had Euros, notes at that, they nearly ripped my hand off when i offered it to them.

You'll need your jags and anti malaria and all that, though i'm sure you know that already.

As regrds Pointe Noire Airport, it's the only aborted landing i've ever had and it certainly woke me up a bit. Air Gabon i think it was.

[jshell]

Lambchopski said:

Vipers said:

Lambchopski said:

Pointe Noire is where i'd be based and i've read that the airport hasd been described as the second worst in the world (i think thats what it was). I wonder what the worst is?

T5?
Personally I would avoide West Africa like the plague...

It doesn't seem to be all that bad! From the reading i've done The Congo seems a lot safer than some places, Nigeria etc.

I've been rotating in and out of Nigeria for nigh-on 7 years. Don't believe anyone who hasn't actually been there for more than 2 trips. People are usually very friendly, the weather is a bonus, cameraderie is good. It's a bit of an adventure, certainly not any problems if you follow basic safety rules. Malaria - take the pills, don't argue. I had the double-tap of malaria and food poisoning 18 months ago and it came close to killing me. Terrifying.

On bribes, don't! I give a tip for good service, but if officials ask then just stand beside them until they get so p!ssed off they tell you to go away. Unless it gets a littel threatening, then a couple of £'s worth at most.

[hugo a gogo]

stock up on Um Bongo

[Lambchopski]

hugo a gogo said:

stock up on Um Bongo

I think i'll need a couple of subtle Um Bungo carton placements for photos

[Floof]

I did 5 weeks in pointe-niore (4 days worth offshore) and thought it was a brilliant place (compaired to other places I've worked). The people were very friendly inc. the locals, and I didnt really feel 'unsafe' walking to and fro the office. If I was offered a rotational contract there I would jump at it.

The hookers can smell fresh meat and pester you quite a bit in certain bars (to be expected)

'Park'n'shop' is a decent enough supermarket - sell nice ham etc.

I didnt think pointe-niore to be that bad, if you fly through brazaville though that is a bit of a nightmare