Hello from Aswan.
Will go back first of all and fill in few things I left out - always
remember after I've pressed the send button!
Our guide in Libya worked for a tour company called Shati Zuara Tours so
if anyone wants to book a package tour we recommend them - seriously. The
history of the country is fasinating.
After crossing into Egypt the landscape was just desert - miles of
'nothingness' was impressive!and we weren't in the real desert! We stayed
overnight in Egypt's equivalent to Portrush - it was full of
holidaymakers!
Originally we had planned to go to Alexandria to get our visas for Sudan -
mainly to avoid Cairo; but on reflection we decided it would be better to
go to Cairo and get them there! En route we passed through El Alemain but
didnt stop at the war cemetery there - apparently ir is similar to Tobruk
but bigger. The surrounds are semi desert and again just nothing but
miles and miles of same. What a place to fight a war.
Cairo! What a time that was! Driving is not for the fainthearted just the
mad!! We stopped at the first hotel on the way into the city and taxied
from then on! The taxi driver deserves a medal - he was the artful
dodger! Never have I experienced driving like it nor seen so many cars
literally falling apart! Unbelievable! It took us 2 visits to the
Sudanese Embassy to get the visas but we got them! Our only desire was to
get out of Cairo and eventually we did after being stuck in traffic for
ages. The drivers who pulled alongside offered Stephen cigarettes on
several occasions!! They are a very friendly people (except when
driving!) They use the horn as indicator!! If they blare horn it means
they are coming through and to get out of the way!! There's no such thing
as politely allowing someone in in front of you - if someone pulls out in
front of you (which is the norm!) you blare the horn, accelerate and
overtake at top speed! The rule is you never stop!
We drove on to Sohag and arrived hot and tired! Stayed in a local hotel
on the banks of the Nile for 2 days. There we met a group of Italians who
were doing the 'long way down' thing on bikes! They had had a police
escort and were surprised that we hadn't. Next morning we did have a
police escort! They led us, followed us or sat in the front (I was
relegated to the floor again!) for a while and then sent us on our way.
South of Luxor we were told we had to wait for the convoy - ?? Turned out
was police car, bus, us, police car! Poor Mollie - they had no sympathy
for her and Stephen was flat to the floor and still not going fast enough
to keep up! Was extremely stressful and very hot! We were so grateful to
arrive in Aswan in one piece! As well as the speed we had to concentrate
to miss people, donkeys, carts, bikes, cars & taxis all of which wander
over the road or come at you from any direction!! I'm sure the Nile
valley was beautiful but we didn't see much of it!
Yesterday we booked our place on the ferry to Sudan which leaves on
Monday. Tomorrow we meet the traffic police to get all the necessary
papers stamped for leaving the country and to return the Egyptian number
plates which we got at the border on entry. Then we go to the port early
on Monday to complete whatever!
Has been a very interesting time so far! Don't know when will write again
- Sudan has had a lot of rain so our drive may become more difficult. We
have proved God is faithful so far so we are going to continue trusting
Him day by day. We have learned a lot.
So on 08.08.08 bye for now! Please forgive spelling and grammar mistakes
- I can't seem to writ without them!
Love H&S