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-- Log 18b --


We walked down to the Blue Nile Pizzeria for supper that night and a bumped into another South African – this time it is not a chance meeting! When we were getting our visa’s for Mozambique way back in February this year, we met a guy in the queue. We told him what we were planning to do and he said he knew people in Eritrea and he would let us have their address. He gave us his business card but we did not get his email. We subsequently forgot all about this meeting. It turns out that ? had emailed his friends, told them about us and told them to look out for us! When Johan returned from Assab, he told them about meeting us, and gave them our web address. When we met Popko at the Restaurant (he had just popped in to collect take-aways), he already knew all about us, he had even invited us to have drinks with them the next night on the web! What careful planning! Awesome stuff!

Sometimes you meet people and you take an instant liking to them, that is the case with Popko and Louise, you are friends forever! Louise, maybe you and Sue will get to go to Lagos Nigeria! Who knows?

We unfortunately made a very BIG dent in Popko’s supply of castle – sorry – but thank you – they were great! We did not realise at the time how much your gift would be appreciated – we did not know that Sudan was a dry country!



Louise, Popko and us at their flat in Asmara!



Johan, a great friend – look forward to meeting you again!

Meeting with such special people made us very home sick! We seem to be a little off course and are wondering whether it is time to start heading back to South Africa. We will go through to Khartoum in the hopes that we will find a fellow traveller to link up with or to get more input with regards to the Egyptian crossing.

We enjoyed our drive out to Keren and found the Hotel recommended by Bridgett. It was great to be able to catch up with the washing and have it all dry the same day! We went to the market and bought a stock of veggies, which should see us through to Khartoum.

We stopped at Teseney to say hello to Tamba from UNHCR (a friend of Johan’s) and to ask about the situation on the border. All appears to be okay, Tamba gave us a guide to get us to the border post – it is a very round about route. Much appreciated, many thanks and kind regards!
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At the border immigration went along very well, but the ‘customs’ official (he would not confirm that he was a customs official) wanted us to drive back to Teseney to get our carnet stamped as they do not have a stamp at the border. He would not sign the carnet even, just to say we were taking the vehicle out of the country. As it was late in the afternoon and we wanted to get through the Sudan border the same day, we left without the carnet being stamped.

We drove along a maze of tracks through the desert and acacia trees for about 7 kms and finally we popped out at the Sudan Border post. Immigration was no problem, but Customs did not have a stamp and we would have to go to Kassala (50 kms detour) to get the necessary stamp! They would provide a soldier to go with us as the place is hard to find. The solider got lost many times and eventually we found the Custom’s offices. By this time it was well after 7.00 p.m. and our relaxed evening in the desert was fast disappearing. The Official was most welcoming and took us to his office/room. He did not have the much coverted stamp – we would have to wait while he finds the guy. So we wait, and watch TV – Batman and Robin! And we wait, a desert storm blows by, and we wait The Customs official – bless his heart, buys us a couple of sodas – and we wait. Two hours later the guy with the stamp arrives – I think he was having dinner! Our documents are STAMPED! Den has to write a letter stating where we have come from and where we are going to for the customs official to sign – at least we know what the letter says – and we are on our way to the Alien Registration office – an unmarked building next to the market!

Guess what … the guy with the book is not there, but fear not, they will call him. So we wait … and wait … and wait. Eventually (I think he was having dinner) he arrives and says we can do the registration in Khartoum. So off we go … 10.00 p.m. on our way to Khartoum or the nearest bush camp whichever comes first.



MR W (wannabe truck) in the truck park on the way to Khartoum

We spent two nights bush camping before we got to Khartoum – it was great – a wonderful experience not being bugged by beggars and curious people! The Sudanese are a very polite and friendly people. At the one camp they asked if we needed anything, water etc. We were then surprised by them bringing cucumbers from their field as a gift! Without a doubt the people of Sudan are gifted with the gift of hospitality.

Khartoum here we come …




 

Last updated: 27/08/2002 18:34:22
Created by: Martin Solms

Part of The Africa Overland Network