The theft occurred last night when Mayke made a terrible error and left her backpack outside her tent for about an hour after we set up camp and it was stolen! She had decided that she would organise her stuff and get a 'tent bag' sorted for campsites and so had taken her big bag off the truck. The police were called, the security guard who was sitting about 3m from the bag was arrested and put in jail and she was amazingly calm. The group is now in the proc...

A long day of driving and a flat tyre (2nd for the trip so far) saw us arrive in Lalibela - the Jerusalem of Ethiopia. We got to upgrade and stay in a hotel with a bed and ensuite bathroom. We felt very spoilt indeed. We were staying Ethiopian four star equivalent and it was only 10USD per night. I think at this point a bed was just what I needed and I felt so much more refreshed, clean and willing to set up my tent again following 2 glorious nights sleep an...

Being so close to one of Africa's most picturesque Mountain ranges saw us go for an overnight trek to the Simien Mountains. Headed off at 7am on Monday morning and started trekking at about 1pm for approximately 5 hours. 3 of our group just took the bus straight to the campsite as they were in the throes of vomiting and diarrhea. We saw loads of Gelaba which are the baboons that are native to this region. They are vegetarian and so did not mind one little bit...

Leaving Sudan was more painful than we hoped it might be. Drove to the border and camped about 3 hours from the border literally just off the road. Cooked dinner and half of the group had gone to bed and the rest of the group were shooting the breeze around the embers of the fire when a vehicle arrived with 7 people who were supposedly police/military people. A conversation relating to our safety and the fact that there were lots of dangerous animals around an...

Once again in civilisation and had a shower :) Driving into Khartoum we were like celebrities and waved at everyone. People are so friendly and break into a big grin when you smile and wave at them and then they yell - hello, how are you? Bit hard in moving traffic to get a 'hello, wonderful thank you' back. I think I am the biggest waver and smiler on the truck, but I just love the response from the people. Brian (aka Germish due to living in German but bei...