Day 85 to 88 - 23rd to 26th January - Nubian Desert

Point of departure : Khartoum

Point of arrival : Wadi Halfa

Accommodation: rooftop tent- Nubian Desert

Km travelled today: 945km Cum: 17 100km (gravel 0km cum 4 649km)

Countries so far: 8/16

Where to next? Aswan, Egypt on Lake Nasser

Total number of photos taken: 208 (cum 3 951)

We left Khartoum shortly after 08h30 and headed north towards Wadi Halfa. The tar road was excellent and we were able to maintain a steady 100km plus per hour. We reached Dongola at 520km ahead of schedule and decided to drive further until about 17h30. We stopped about 200km south of Wadi Halfa and wild camped in the desert. Woke up and checked tyres and … yes another PUNCTURE - this time a tyre valve punctured the tyre … don't ask, we haven't the foggiest idea! The puncture was fixed with the wheel on the car and we proceeded the final 200km to Wadi Halfa without further incident.

The Nubian Desert stretches from Dongola to Aswan in Egypt. The Nubians are neither Arab nor black - they have their own identity, culture and language. The Nubian architecture is very distinct. The homes are situated in a large courtyard surrounded by high walls and the entrance gates are the most notable feature - they are usually very colourful and have various pictures, designs and symbols.Where possible, the gates face the Nile River.

We met up with Alain ad Marie-Christine Arnaud in Wadi Halfa. We met them initially at Jungle Junction in Nairobi, then Blue Nile Sailing Club in Khartoum and agreed to meet at Wadi Halfa to board the ferry together. They have been travelling around the world with their motorbike since April 2008 (from Canada down to South America, Australia, Asia and now Africa) and are now on their way home. (www.motards-nomades.com or www.provence-moto-rando.org)

We also met with Mr Fix it - Mr Mazar Mahir and started making arrangements for the ferry. ([email protected] or [email protected]) (mobile + 249 122380740) - very helpful and knowledgeable person.

Then back into the desert, fairly close to Wadi Halfa to wild camp for the night… a view of the town and Lake Nasser. Very restful and one of the best sleeps we have had in weeks.

Day 87 back into Wadi Halfa to meet with Mr Mahir again. Additional documents to be signed and, best of all, confirmation that we would be able to camp the last night with our vehicle rather than stay at the Al Neem Hotel (The Nile) - see photographs and you will understand why the happiness. Alain and Christine decided to join us back in the desert and we had a very pleasant afternoon and evening with them catching up on travel experiences.

Day 88 - back into Wadi Halfa, more documentation and after lunch, back to the desert this afternoon also with Alexei Akishin, a Russian motor cyclist also travelling north who has had the pleasure of a week in Wadi Halfa having just missed the prior week's ferry due to motorbike problems.