– 11:39 am

We drove safely into Buea last night from Douala. Night travel by car in Cameroon is probably the most dangerous activity you can participate in. Whatever the death rate is, it’s too high and the number publicised is likely deflated to misrepresent the truth. (Oh, we happen to be a very corrupt country as well). Decent roads are few and far between. The one or two without crater-sized potholes barely have signage or supporting infrastructure. I mean, good luck finding a lamp post (with a bulb in it).

However, what we do have in abundance, are untrained drivers in cars that should be written off. This blend (of reckless driving on bad roads) makes this form of travel the equivalent of Russian roulette. Sooner or later… And that’s not an exaggeration. But thankfully, our trip was without incident. I sat at the back so I didn’t have to visually engage with the road.

Your aunt and uncles Lyn, Junior and Carl (respectively) are still asleep after a cabaret evening. I was too tired to join. The day and drive had taken it out of me. But not for these party animals.

I’ve been up a few hours now. I spent the morning doing some housekeeping – email, Whatsapp messages etc. The weight is off. I feel lighter. Unlike your mother, unchecked notifications worry me.

I then video-called her. She was still in bed, just waking up. I gave her a tour of the WDC apartment we stayed in. The owner, Watson, is very close friends with Lyn’s husband Lambert so our stay is on the house. It’s quite fancy. Liza asked me to steal the glass table in the living area. Haha!

The baby bump is definitely bigger than it was a week ago when I left. You’re not skipping meals that’s for sure. You are apparently the size of a large corn (on the cob). Your mother says you won’t stop dancing either. Good on ya!