Day 14 - Stage 12 - Wadi Halfa to Farka (145 km)

Thursday: Another long day of riding.

After breakfast we were one of the first to leave camp at Wadi Halfa, as we knew we would be in for some quality time on our bikes.

We reached Lunch at the 79 km mark escorted by Brad the sweep rider, who patiently listened to some of our "remember when" stories (they certainly help pass the time and make the kilometers fly-by)

Appearance of the Sudan country side has changed from desert sand to sand & rocks; to just rocks (occasional tree now and then) definitely different to what we were used to in Egypt. Unfortunately, just like yesterday, I'm still having trouble uploading pictures, so they will have to be posted on the blog in installments at a later stage.

First and only Coke Stop of the day was after lunch at some small village, where artisan miners were digging for gold. We stopped there for quite a while while I investigated some of the mining and crushing facilities.

Judith and I had a good days ride, and although we arrived at Farka Camp last, with second half sweep rider Leo, we nevertheless thought we did quite a good time, taking all things into consideration. 

We had to pitch the tent in a seriously strong wind, but our tent pitching skills have improved to such an extent that it didn't take us long, and "the house" was up without any hassle.

From Camp, we walked down to the Nile River for my first wash in the Nile, there are no washing or ablution facilities at the Farka Camp site.

After the briefing session, it was supper time followed by bed time ("early to bed and early to rise, makes Jack a dull boy"). Its going to be a very interesting  night trying to sleep in the howling wind...

Cheers,

Mike T

#ThrowbackThursday in Sudan:  - Stage 5 (Egypt)



_

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.

_

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

_

Day 11 - Stage 10 - Desert Camp to Abu Simbel (150 km)

Monday: Start of a typical morning in the Egyptian Desert...

Get up and take "Doug" for some quality time out into the still-dark desert surroundings. Away from the still-snoring or stirring tented camp. With only the Milky Way high up in the sky and the odd camper's headlamp shinning here and there in the clustered tents, (we are getting used to packing up our bags & tent and preparing for the ride, by the light of our headlamps).

Julian checking his bike at sunrise

Early morning camp lights as the riders stir, a few moments before sunrise

Just before breakfast, I discovered my bikes front wheel needed air, grabbed the foot-pump, only to realize I needed to change the tube. So while everyone was having a leisurely breakfast I was fixing my puncture. It has been good going, my first puncture and over 1 000 km cycled. Unfortunately my breakfast was very rushed indeed!

The first Coke Stop was at 50 km into the ride, and we stopped (we don't normally stop between the Start and Lunch) but I needed something salty and something to give me a sugar rush, so crisps and soft-drink it was.

First Coke stop of the day

Riders discussing their day's ride so far

Andy feeling good and sharing his laughter

Roasted chicken crisps and Fanta Apple what more can a man ask for?

The Desert scenery is beginning to change as we approach Abu Simbel

Lunch was at the 80 km mark, again at some random bus stop, close to a new housing development the Egyptian Government is building, but uninhabited at present.

It was Judith's first 150 km distance and she cycled well, we finished it at an average riding speed of 24 km/hr. However, with 5km to go I hit the brick wall, and pulled up for a Coke stop only 1km from the finish, I just had to get my sugar level up. One Pepsi (no Coke) later and the problem was solved, but not before we were joined by two police cars and the TDA 4x4 bakkie (utility vehicle). Quite an audience to watch Bridgette, Judith and I drinking soft-drinks!

New housing development constructed by the Egyptian Government the Desert (still to be occupied)

Today's Lunch Stop at the 80km mark

Lunch Truck time

Canal transporting water from Lake Nasser 

Time for a short recovery break at the Canal

Welcome to Abu Simbel

On arrival in Abu Simbel, we booked into the 'Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge', being one of the last riders to finish on the day, our choice of rooms was limited, so we decided to take the Honeymoon Suite! One thing about this Tour, sometimes things don't go as well as planned, but then again, don't sweat the small stuff.

Of course, after the Mandatory (Mando) 'Team Carbo Load' meeting, the length of today's race, the heat and any other irritating nuisances were soon forgotten - life is great!

Andje & Judith enjoying the Tilapia 

Alex showing us the correct way to eat Tilapia

Only coke available with dinner... 

Eating out at a local Egyptian Restaurant 

The Chef busy cooking up our Tilapia and chicken

Dinner was in town, we joined a group of the riders, walked into town and sat down at one of the local restaurant's (eating house). Food was either Chicken or Fish, I chose fish, and had the best Tilapia I had ever tasted, and that includes the delicious Tilapia I have previously eaten in Uganda.

On the way back from Town, we stopped at one of the  local pavement Coffee Houses and had tea with the three local Egyptian Cyclists who had been cycling with us all the way from Cairo. They will be leaving us tomorrow, and going back to Cairo by bus.

Tomorrow is our second rest day, after today's ride, bring it on!

Cheers,

Mike T

Charles and the Treloars having late night tea at a street cafe with our Egyptian Cyclists

_

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

_