We drove to the border where there were hundreds of trucks lined up waiting to cross with the drivers squatting at the side of the road drinking tea. We had to show our passports twice before we even got to the Turkish control where we had a problem, we got into Turkey o.k. but couldn't get out!! We sat in an office at the border for one and a half hours as it turns out that the guy that completed the details for the entry of our vehicle when we came into the country did it wrong and the computer records wouldn't tally. The border nearly ground to a halt as 4 guys worked on the computer to tryand get it to takeout details. Eventually (even though I don't think they managed to sort it out) they let us through. Two more passport checks an and we were in no mans land and then at the Syrian border.

We had to pay US$200 for fuel tax, vehicle insurance and temporary import duty for the truck. At the insurance check there were two friendly guardsthen to the next office for more paperwork with one guy working and two asleep on cot beds in the corner. Next stop Immigration for a stamp on our Visas. We were at the back of the queue and one guy took our passports, told us to sit down andit was all sorted out for us and off we went - no bribes involved!!!

Syria is again very basic on the outskirts of towns and it tookusabout anhour to drive to Allepo an old city in the north. The driving was again totally crazy, small yellow taxis everywhere just doing what they wanted. This is a hugecity andwecould find no landmarks on our map and got hopelessly lost. We had to stop andask some guys but they didn't speak a word of English only Arabic. However, they had a mobile phone and rang someone who could speak English. Peter told him where we wanted and he told them and they directed us in a fashion but it was no use we were still lost. Eventually we spoke to someone else who could speak a slight bit of English. He had to get inthe car with us to take us where we wanted to go and as we only have 2 seats I had to sit on the centre consul, most uncomfortable.

As Allepo is a very, very busy old city and all the hotels and small with no car parking we had to stay in a brand new Sheraton Hotel which as Syria is so cheap was only about the price of a Travel Lodge. It was luxurious and very welcome after weeks on the road. We walked around the city and risked life an limb trying to cross the road and even though it was night there were no street lights only the lights from shops.

The next morning Igot my haircut in the hotel whilst Peter went in search of antibiotics for a skin rash he has developed. The tablets and cream cost the equivalent of GBP1.50!! Someone in the U.K. is making a lot of money on medicines. After that we needed fuel and as diesel is not sold at every station we were given directions by the bell boy. Of course we couldn't find it even after asking the Police. We stopped outside a small garage workshop and one guy could speak a little English and again he had to get in the car with us to guide us around the one way systems. The Syrians are the most friendly, hospitable people we have ever met. They are very curious and friendly but not at all pushy.

We found the station and put in 101 litres which cost the equivalent of GBP7.07!!! even after paying the diesel tax it is still mega cheap. We thanked the guy profusely and then drove him back to work.