Business trip 1

Back on business. Never enough time but tried to break it up some.  Went on company boat last weekend. No fish but good to get some air. Story goes that back in war times as Portugal was losing during fight for independence in Angola, they beached their boats so Angolans would not get them.  At least 15 ships visible, and more under water.  

2 weeks later and I'm back. 

I got to fly some home 

From what I understand, Atlas air, the company we contract through for our US - Angola travels goes about everywhere and many Air Force one pilots do training in these 747's.  

Last days

News from Angola

 

Oil and lack of foreign exchange lead to cut 3,500 million in food

The lack of foreign exchange and instability in oil prices continue to challenge the situation in Angola. To be able to overcome the difficulties, the Angolan government is studying measures that pass through the introduction of limits on imports of products considered basic, such as eggs, vegetables or drinks.

Angonoticias

 

Census result: Angola's population exceeds 25 million people

Angola population slightly exceeds 25.78 million people, of which 6.94 million live in the Luanda, according to final data from the General Population and Housing Census (RGPH) held in 2014.

Macauhub / Jornal de Angola

 

Daily struggles.

Angola's yellow fever death toll rises to 158

The yellow fever outbreak has killed 158 people, up from 50 a month ago, as deaths from the disease transmitted by mosquitoes accelerate. There has also been an increase in malaria, cholera and chronic diarrhea in Luanda and other cities, partly due to a breakdown in sanitation services and rubbish collection.

Reuters

My colleagues tell me they see trucks with coffins every morning on their commute to work.  Estimated hundreds ever day in country are passing. 

Sanitation services is just not working. Trash piles all over.  It's a true fight. 

Part of the problem

The better times

Sunday night pizza and beer sum it up. Really helps through the days. 

Another week

Luanda, Cabinda, Malongo and back again. 

Breakfast with friends 

Cabinda clinic is always busy. 

School in Cabinda. In general Cabinda is less developed, more poverty, less supply chains, very expensive for goods, and oil rich. 

Back to Luanda where there are still miles of living in deveopment.  

Contrasts.

Good with the in progress.  

Relaxing dinner with boss before we part.    

City still working on progress in sanitation and health. These are where illness and disease breed and spread unfortunately.   

Last formal hitch

Last hitch but not last trip.  

Just some local news to share: 

 

Inflation in double digits

Prices of goods and services in Angola rose exponentially in January. The average inflation rate is 17.34 percent for the last twelve months.

Jornal de Angola

 

Largest diamond found in Angola sold for $16 million

Lucapa Diamond Company has purchased the largest diamond ever found in Angola for $16 million. The 404-carat diamond is the 27th largest in the world.

Macauhub

 

Angolan kwanza most overvalued currency in Africa

Angolan kwanza is Africa’s most overvalued currency. The currency’s official rate is 72% overvalued against the dollar, according to the KFC Index.

Bloomberg

 

Angola off the money laundering blacklist

National Bank of Angola (BNA) is no longer subject to the control process for money laundering and financing of terrorism.

Macauhub

 

Angolan rebels (FLEC) to resume armed insurrection in Cabinda

Rebels in Cabinda region said they’re resuming an armed campaign to gain independence for the enclave after the government failed to respond to its request for talks.

Bloomberg

Saturday night

Big treat for wild Saturday night in Luanda.  Went with a couple other expats to pizza and beer.  Best thing I had in a while. 

Far different than the staff house meals. 

But we got a good crew and stories at dinner. 

Upgrade

Sunday BBQ is back on at staff house Luanda - at least every so often. 

Major upgrade to BBQ.  It's all we got.  Good group of about 7 guys provides good laughs.  

More Realities

A bit more education. 

Angola: Yellow fever outbreak

An outbreak of yellow fever is underway in the town of Viana, in the province of Luanda. Since early December, over 20 people have been infected, with several fatalities. The Ministry of Health will hold a vaccination campaign in the affected area. Yellow fever risk is persistently present in Angola. The viral disease is transmitted by mosquito bites. Symptoms range from a mild flu-like illness to a severe haemorrhagic fever with liver failure. There is no treatment. About half of all serious cases are fatal.

Life realities.

I receive weekly news updates of things going on in Angola.  It's always interesting to see what the Nationals deal with. 

A couple examples: 

 

Africa currency crises spark diverging Central Bank stances     

An oil-triggered crisis in Africa has its biggest economies taking opposite approaches on monetary policy. Angola

and other African countries are set to announce their first interest-rate decisions of the year this week.

Bloomberg

Banks with historic lows of dollars

According to the National Bank of Angola (BNA), the sale of foreign currency to Angolan commercial banking continues to

reach all-time lows. The sale of foreign currency amounted to $55.5 million last week, 70% less than the previous week.

Diario de Noticias

Strategic Plan for yellow fever control launched

The Provincial Government of Luanda is meeting with social partners to present the strategic plan for control and eradication of

yellow fever, which has been spreading through Luanda since December 2015.

Angop

A bit of peace in the jungle

Week in Cabinda.  Got a few good walks in at least.  Enjoying some nature. 

Domingo

One of the few times I have gone out in Luanda.  Nice open place to eat. Food was good, on the water, good company and a nice change. 

Hitch 9-10?

5 January begins 2016 hitches. Smooth enough on day one with too much to do. 

Cool morning view as began our descent. 

Art

I like these wall paintings that sum up a story of  life past here.  

Offshore FPSO

Week in the operations and camp keeps me busy. 

Visited two offshore rigs today, one was a floating production storage offloading vessel.  A huge ship basically that on, offloads, stores and processes product.  

Lots of stairs. 

Beauty in the concrete

Sometimes have to stop and appreciate the random glimpses of nature in the busy developing city. 

Sunday short lived tradition at staff house.

There are about 6 rotating expats at the Luanda staff house. One brought a little BBQ and every Sunday they BBQ.  There are some markets that some decent meat can be bought.  

Today was my first.   Good steaks but we got rained out so went in the mess hall.  

It's short lived because the cook is leaving in December.  Most us rotators will be leaving in the coming months it appears.   

As good as it gets for sure.  

Winter nights

Malongo nights of lights.  

Only fast food option

There at be some local fast food type offerings in Angola but the only true fast food that has been allowed here or has been able to survive is the Kernel.  

Rainy Season

Seems to be the rainy season for the next several months.  The standard scene from my office.  I was going to go to other building but had no way to cross the street.  Slowly but surely the infrastructure develops.