This morning we rode the last 193 km, from Groningen and Johan’s home, to Schiphol airport, Amsterdam!!! The ride down the freeway was easy, and the gps led us directly to Jochem Stap, of Lift Freight services, who had given us the best prices for getting the bikes back to Africa. We then went about getting the bikes onto the pallets, which we had prepared over the last 2 days, and strapped them down. Panniers were repacked, with camping gear kept out, and non essentials, helmets etc, into panniers. Then, bubble wrap, and cling wrap completed the exercise. A forklift arrived, and carefully lifted the pallets up, and took them for weighing. Our estimate on Sharon’s bike was good – we thought 250 kg, and the scale showed 257 kg. My turn – we thought 300 kg, but were way short!! 348 kg!!!, so we were 55 kg over our expected weight! My heart thumping, we next went upstairs to settle the paperwork and account. Jochem then calculated the volumetric weight to be something over 1000 kg, and with sinking heart, I did the calculation of over 3 Euro per kg, and reached about 3000 Euro in my head. About double of what we were expecting, but less than the 6500 Euro quoted in Switzerland. I then promptly reminded Jochem of his quote, which was based on weight, not volume, and he decided to recalculate, and with bated breath, we waited for a final figure. 1440.55 Euro!!!! What a huge relief!!
So, the bikes leave tomorrow am, and we fly to Nairobi on Thursday eve, to try to start the process at the other end!!! Probably a world of difference – in fact 2 – 1 st to third!!! A huge thank you to Jochem – email address for other travelers – jochem@liftfreight.com You have been wonderful. Without Johannes, Gedien, Ties and Berend – we couldn’t have got the bikes and ourselves on the way back to Africa as easily if we had not had a chance encounter in Malawi. A huge thank you for everything!!
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