We waited on the ship for about 5 hours before departure. It was extremely hot but beautiful none the less. Finally after 1/2 a million ton of crap was loaded onto the ship and 5 million people jammed into every little corner of the ship we were on our way at 5pm.
By the time darkness had fallen it was just like 7 years ago when we looked up into the sky and could see 100 million stars, it was just amazing. The ship was a good cruise with perfect weather and calm seas. Lake Nasser is enormous and it’s the same Lake that Ewan McGregor, Charlie Boreman Michael Palin took on their journey’s throughout Africa. But they never did it on a bike, like I am. Because I’m stupid.
I won the toss so I got a bed in the cabin and got a good 9hours sleep. We got to see the monuments at Aba Simbel on the way down the lake at around 7am, that was pretty neat also. By the time 11am had arrived we were docking at Wadi Halfa Sudan. It took 4 hours to onload the ship get the local off the ship and all our bikes and bags. What a shit fight. I thought our beauracry was bad in Australia, you’ve seen nothing until you come to Sudan.
After all the forms and checks we rode out of the harbour and down the road for a 3km ride to camp. This is where we got our first sight of the new trucks that will be taking us the rest of the way to Cape town. They never came up to Cairo because of the unrest down in the south of Sudan. I would have been upset if I couldn’t get to go through Sudan. I came to ride from Cairo to Cape Town not by missing out on Sudan. But I am aware of the dangers and not to take risks at this stage.
Got a lot of kms to cover over the next 3 days before we reach Dongola. Until then safe riding.
Yes Terry, It will be great to ride through Sudan.How did you not get sea sick sleeping on the boat for 9 hours. was the water calm? Did the organizers have to offer any Bribes to get out of the port?
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