Day 13 - Stage 11 - Abu Simbel to Wadi Halfa

Wednesday: Last day in Egypt, up early, pack bags, load them on the big truck, breakfast at 5.15am, ready to ride 2km to Ferry Landing by 6am.

Rode in convoy to the Ferry Landing and after a mandatory wait, boarded the Military Ferry with our bikes, accompanied by the TDA Vehicles, our Police escort and other Egyptian Long-haul Trucks traveling to Sudan.

Pleasant trip across Lake Nasser to the western side, we even got to drink tea with some of the Egyptian Truck Drivers, had a pleasant discussion with a Professor Ali and his guys, who were crossing over to do some ground water prospecting. Generally a very jovial trip and all the riders were in great spirits and there was much excitement in the air for our first Border crossing.

Once we had arrived on the other bank of the Lake, the TDA Cyclists waited for all the trucks and vehicles to drive off the Ferry before we disembarked. However we were still in Egypt, we needed to cycle 35 km to the Egypt-Sudan Border Crossing.

Cycled to the Egypt/Sudan Border Post, but not before both Kyle (RSA) and Andy (RSA) had to repair punctures on their respective bikes. Kyle had two for the day (one before the ferry and one after).

Surprisingly, we cleared  Egyptian Immigration with relative ease, then had lunch on the Egyptian side, bid our Egyptian Police escort a fond farewell (they had been a permanent fixture throughout our cycle in Egypt) before crossing no-man's-land into Sudan.

One of the heavily loaded trucks seen at the border crossing from Egypt to Sudan.
- Photo taken by one of our fellow TDA riders, Alex.

Our passage through the Sudan Immigration was not as painless as our Egyptian experience, but the riders were determined to stay as relaxed as possible. It always pays to remember T.I.A (This Is Africa). After much waiting, we were finally processed, only to be told that they wanted to search our bike bags/hydration packs.

This developed into quite a hilarious pantomime, as each rider got to describe to the overzealous custom official's, what was in his/her bag, and what its function was. I think Liz's rendition of how to use a set of plastic tire levers to change a flat tire, deserves an Oscar!

After we had all shown the officials the contents of our bags, and been given our little red stickers, the Head Customs Honcho, then demanded that they check our Daily/Permanent bags on the truck.

The TDA Management are to be congratulated on how they solved this new development. Our capable Tour Leader Tallis, just gave The Main Man an emphatic,

"No!! - If you needed to search the luggage, you should have told us that two hours ago". 

The best form of defense is attack, and this did the trick. 

The Official rescinded, and waved us all through. We were officially in Sudan - T.I.A !!

We cycled another 35 km after the Border Post, and arrived in the Town of Wadi Halfa. Pitched tent and found the Currency "Guy" to exchange USD $ into Sudanese Pounds, so that we could then go to the Sim Card "Guy" to purchase data sim-cards, so that we could get onto the Sudanese Network. 

Unfortunately, while the signal here in Wadi Halfa is good enough to send through these words you're reading... it's not great when sending or posting pictures. So those will have to be sent through in a future post (sorry everyone!). I will just have to keep you in suspense I suppose. [They're up! You can now see the photos form today's adventure - here.]

Supper was prepared by a local Sudanese family, and was very tasty indeed, this was followed by a cold shower and then off to bed after a very busy day.

Cheers,

Mike T

PS - So started my 17 day beer free diet, should loose a couple of kilo's over this time period.

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Day 12 - Rest Day - Abu Simbel

Tuesday: Staying over at the Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge, we tried sleeping late, but still woke up at 4am, I suppose the intention was there, but we had no such luck, it seems we are already in the groove....

Sunrise at Abu Simbel over Lake Nasser

The Eskaleh Nubian Eco-lodge

This, our second Rest Day in Egypt, was spent visiting the Great Temple Complex of Ramesses &  Nefertari in the morning, lunch at the Hotel and supper at Toya. We tried to keep it as simple and as relaxed as possible.

The visit to the Temple Complex, was definitely worth the walk. It is simply mind boggling that these two temples were relocated in their entirety to their present position, due to the rising waters of the Nasser Lake which  was being formed on completion of the High Aswan Dam. This was done to prevent them from being submerged by the rising waters and lost forever.

Walking through town on the way to the Temples

Abu Simbel - Spot the mistake...

Watching the video concerning the relocation of the two Temples

The Temple of Ramesses II

The second figure of Ramesses II was dislocated by an earthquake

Lake Nasser from the Temple Site

Some old graffiti from 1897 (Sapper nogal)

Figure of Ramesses in the Temple

Four figures at the back of the Temple, which get lit up by sunlight on the 22 February and 22 October

Temple of Nefertari (Rameses II favourite wife)

Liz inside the Nefertari Temple

Riders Briefing Meeting

Lunch was at the Hotel, where the both of us had a Chicken Tagine which was super tasty. I  must admit, the food in Egypt has been great; much better than what we expected.

Supper was at Toya Restaurant. Thanks go out to Philip who organised the booking, the menu was relatively easy - either Beef, Chicken or Fish - and the food was divine.

Early to bed, tomorrow we ride to the Ferry Landing, catch a ferry across Lake Nasser (goodbye Egypt) pass through Egyptian then Sudanese Border Posts, then cycle to our first camp in the Sudan.

Cheers,
Mike T


PS - Horror of Horror's, the Sudan is alcohol free, no beer available for the next 17 days, what shall we do?

Tomorrows Cycling Route (most time will be spent clearing the Borders of both countries)

The Schedule for the next 4 days of riding...

Today's Information Board

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Day 10 - Stage 9 - Aswan to Desert Camp (145 km)

Sunday: A long day of cycling, but we were blessed with a strong tailwind, especially after lunch,  which made the ride more enjoyable, even with such a long distance to cycle.

04:00 We awoke relatively early at the Adams House Camp, it seems that both of us just can't sleep past the 4am mark (old habits die hard). But it does give us plenty of time to get ready for the day's ride. 

06:00 Coffee & Tea at 6am, with breakfast usually at 6.15am, and we are on our bikes between 6.45 to 7.00am at the latest. 

07:00 We left Camp and were greeted by a great morning sunrise, the sun rising above the Bridge which spans the Nile River at Aswan.

This morning's sunrise over the Nile River at Aswan

Breakfast at Adams House camp

TDA Kitchen at Adams House Camp

Today's ride was a long one, with lunch at 75km, situated at some arbitrary Bus Stop, where we made ourselves some sarmies (sandwiches) with the local 'Egyptian Mystery Meat Roll' (which Wynand had sourced from one of yesterdays Coke Stops). 

The final Coke Stop was at the 124km mark, where a cold coke was quickly consumed, followed by a cup of coffee, with the locals in attendance. 

Lunch time at 77km into the ride. Judith enjoying today's mystery meat sarmies

Last Coke Stop at 124 km mark

Drinking coffee with the locals at the last coke stop

The ride ended at 145 km, in the middle of nowhere,  close to a small  Coffee/ Tuck Shop, just off the road, in the the Desert. 

The erecting of tents was quite challenging, due to the strong wind coming off the desert, however a lot of the riders managed to get them up, with a little help from other riders. 

Today's Desert Camp

Riders pitching their tents and fighting the desert wind

Stage 9 Notice board on Arrival

'Team Carbo-load' had managed to source some relatively cold beers and a strategy meeting was held in the Coffee Shop to discuss tomorrow's ride. The meeting was generally well attended and some new members were inducted into 'Team Carbo-load', but purely on probation.

Team Carbo Load Strategy Meeting on Coffee Shop

Murray (Muzz) a Kiwi living in Australia, also celebrated his 60th birthday today, and was greeted with a birthday message at the lunch truck, and presented with a chocolate cake, baked by Chef Errol after dinner. The cake was greatly appreciated by all in attendance, and our best wishes go out to Muzz.

Murray's birthday greeting at the Lunch Truck

Once dark, a bonfire was lit, and a hearty time was had around the fire, before the campers  retired to their tents. 

Tomorrow is another long day of riding, 152 km, ending in Abu Simbel, where we will be having our second rest day, before leaving Egypt and crossing into Sudan.

Cheers,

Mike T

Bonfire time in the Desert

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TDA: Final Preparations

Our departure from OR Tambo Airport on the Egypt-air flight to Cairo is rapidly approaching, with final preparations made both in Prince Albert and up in Johannesburg. 

These included... Dropping our dogs, Blake and Mercutio off at the long-term boarding Kennels in Oudtshoorn. Travelling to George for our final inoculation booster injections, collection of our passports with the required visas for Egypt and Sudan, and the collection of foreign currency at the Bank.

Boxed bikes - Departing for Cairo

Our dogs in Prince Albert wondering where we're off to...

Our good friends from PASOC (Prince Albert Sonder Onderbroek Club) who assisted us greatly with our cycle training preparations throughout 2016, gave us a farewell braai and wished us well on our African adventure.

The Mons family, were of major assistance, helping us to pack up the house (defrosting fridges, moving of outside furniture, relocation of pot plants, etc) prior to our departure. They then departed for Johannesburg after their holiday in Prince Albert, on the same day as us.

Having packed up our kit and bikes and left Prince Albert, the road trip from the Karoo to Johannesburg was uneventful.  Although the road was extremely busy, traffic was free flowing and the majority of drivers were patient and courteous.

Over the weekend in Johannesburg, we had a farewell breakfast with the Niemans and Rosensteins, lunch with the Ferreiras, afternoon tea with Mary-Jean & Mike, followed by a quick visit to Mark, Jo-Ann and Grandchildren who had just returned from their trip to Thailand, said our goodbyes to Judith's mother, and finally had dinner with our "Train Buddies".


Last minute shopping for outstanding bike spares and accessories, medicines and supplements was done rather hastily, but successfully completed.

We finally finished the packing of our kit, to ensure it made the required weight restrictions (we are allowed two 90-liter bags of 23 kg each) and the boxing of our bikes for their transport to Cairo.

Our thanks go to Dave, Heather and Sam who hosted us at their home during our brief stay-over in Joburg,  before catching our Egypt-air flight out to Cairo - their hospitality was greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Mike T

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