20 April 2008

Day 50

Aswan

0km

SARAH: It was another hot day but we got up early and did our blog typing and photos in the morning shade. We then raced to town, had a koshuri lunch in the park and spent 2 hours updating our blog site. We made it back to camp at 3:30 just in time for the Felucca sail on the Nile with Andy, Noeleen, Brenda and Taco. With cold beers and Bruce's fishing rod we boarded our Faluka. It was so peaceful sailing on the Nile for 3 hours past Aswan into the moon light. Ahmed, our captain was smoking a bat and it was very chilled. Bruce was fishing away but got nothing although I saw a massive Nile Perch in the water! I love the way one never quite knows the plan and we were told this was a one way trip and were dropped off at some village to be told to catch a taxi home for another 10E£. This was our last night in Egypt and I've had a great time but am a little tired of all the hassling and always having to pay the 'tourist' price which is double the Egyptian price. Everyone is dishonest when it comes to money. Otherwise it's been great and HOT. I know nothing of Sudan and am looking forward to exploring this unknown country in real Africa.

FERRIES, BARGES AND OVERFLOWING TOILETS

21 April 2008

Day 51

Aswan - Lake Nasser ferry crossing

15km

SARAH: This is the day that we've all been waiting for with apprehension…the dreaded barge and ferry crossing to Wadi Halfa! We all left Adam's Home Camp and met Mr Saleh's assistant (Mr 70's) at 9am. We drove to the ferry port in convoy and already there were people everywhere with trolleys piled high with boxes, fridges, suitcases and whatever else they could fit into sacks and boxes. It was real African chaos. We literally spent all day waiting in the baking 50deg heat. After getting stamped out of Egypt we sat in the cars and watched with amusement as the ferry and barge were loaded up with truckloads of stuff piled on top of each other. Although we had aircon cabins booked, we chose to wait outside to witness the chaos and Bruce seized the moment to do a bit of fishing off the barge as we spotted loads of Tigerfish in the water. He was a happy chappy until the policeman told him 'no fishing allowed'. The Landies were loaded last onto an old small barge with no sides. The boys had to drive up metal planks and the cars just fitted across the width of the barge. The locals then tied them down with their rope so that they were fas.

Once on the ferry we were thankful we could get a bit of respite in our aircon cabins. The rest of the ferry was loaded with people and belongings on the top deck in the baking sun. The ferry finally left at about 5pm and we set sail, leaving the landies on the barge behind us (which should sail tomorrow). Using our meal ticket and paying an extra 8E£ we had a feast of a meal - soup, chicken, rice, macaroni, bread and tea. The Sudanese people on the ferry were just so friendly and we became friends with Anwar in the dinning room. Whilst eating we witnessed some more drug smuggling as Anwar opened up the sole of a shoe and pulled out a small bag of white stuff! Hmmm. It had been a long hot day so we retired to our cool cabins and bunk beds and were asleep by 8.30pm on Lake Nasser!