As the Chinese proverb goes “The road to success is strewn with setback”. The CAI delegation planned to depart from Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire to Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone via Lome, the Republic of Togo on Nov. 20, 2023. However, they encountered some setbacks as the flight to Lome was canceled. Since there is no direct flight from Abidjan to Freetown, they had to fly to the east first, and transfer from Nairobi, Kenya to Freetown.

After a six-hour long flight, the delegation arrived at Nairobi International Airport at about 7:00 on Nov. 22, 2023 local time. They waited at the airport for five hours, and then the flight took off from Nairobi and stopped over Accra Kotoka International Airport, Ghana for one hour before heading to Freetown. Travelling by day and night and getting over jet lags, the delegation finally reached their destination Freetown at about 17:30 on Nov. 22, 2023 local time.

The staff from the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) including Dr. Joseph A. Turay, the vice chancellor had waited long at the airport to offer their warm welcome to the delegation.

CAI delegation is welcomed by UNIMAK staff

The delegation is traveling from airport to UNIMAK at night

It is about 160 kilometers from the airport to UNIMAK. After three-hours driving, the delegation arrived at the hotel near UNIMAK. The 30-hours-long journey has finally come to an end. After a short break, they will host the 17th China Lecture at the university on Nov. 23, 2023.

Roadside fruit stands in Abidjan

China Mall roadside view

Window painting at Nairobi International Airport

Clouds seen from airplane