Home!

Russell writes 12/1/12, photo’s by Rob:

The last day, at last. Full of nervous excitement, what was it going to be like turning up at number 13 in a little street in Hereford after 13 and a half months on the road? The ferry was British run and not French thankfully, so we sat in front of the TV with the BBC news making sandwiches. Seeing the white cliffs appear on the horizon was a very pleasant sight and it was time to check for phone signal and order a nice rib of beef for Sunday lunch. You cannot beat a bit of mum’s cooking and although I’d enjoyed the variety of foods in each country, there was only going to be one winner for me! The journey from Munich to Dunkirk yesterday had been our longest distance in a day, so this morning we were still quite drained, but our friends and families awaited a joyful reunion, giving us energy. Thankfully the weather held off and we had a dry run all the way through central London and west to Hereford. I still managed to stop 3 times to take my fuel filter off and blow it through as it became blocked, the bike by now had become very tiresome but I just wanted to get home. After all we’d been through a piffling fuel filter was not going to stop us now!

Lovely bubbly

We’d given our friends and families a best guess at an arrival time so we could have a few of our closest supporters there when we landed. Coming back into our home city was a little surreal as nothing seemed to have changed but it was completely different to any of the cities we’d just been to. Turing into my street with only seconds before the end and quickly scanning around for signs of familiar faces, we pulled up onto the pavement and announced our arrival with vigorous revving! Our good friends Rob Breeze and Ben Voden quickly appeared with many manly hugs and a bottle of Champaign each, which were soon exploding over the bikes and each other. More friends arrived, more hugs and the next hour was quite chaotic as we tried to greet everyone. Our parents were able to make it which was very pleasing and it was a very happy reunion. They have been such a huge encouragement ever since the beginning and now after many months of love and support the prodigals have returned! With 27 African countries, 3 in the Middle East and 8 in Europe under our belts, in my view, we live in the best one, so for me it’s true; there’s no place like home!

Champaign proof jacket

So from myself and Darren we must say massive THANK YOU to everyone who has been following and supporting us through the good times and the hard. And a special thank you to everyone who has made a donation to the charities. We would also like to remind everyone else that the JustGiving page for Send a Cow is still open and two new, easy ways of donating to the Romanian children’s work at Bethesda are as follows:

1. Send a text message with the following text, ‘RUSS11’ and the amount ‘£10’ for example. Send it to 70070 and it will come out of your next phone bill. Your gift will be gift aided so the charity will get even more.

2. http://www.justgiving.com/AfricaorbitalRomanianCharity We now have a JustGiving page for Bethesda, the money will go through our church Christian Life Centre (www.clch.org.uk) in Hereford and the extra money from the gift aid will also go to the charity.

We don’t have any amounts to announce yet as we still want to push the fundraising when we get a mention in the Hereford Journal and from this blog. We are planning a little trip out to Romania in the early summer to make a visit to the children’s work and present a cheque. They are only a small charity and do a great work, we would love to make a difference.

Reunions

Reunions

Life in the Shire was not quite ‘back to reality’ as we had arrived in time for Christmas and a little overkill on the whole ‘busyness’ of the season and too little focus on the reason. But it was so good to have the family around over Christmas, and even a special guest from Germany, Daniel. Then off to Manchester for new year’s to meet up with some great old friends Paul, Anita and new baby Samuel, also Pete and Vix who were over from New Zealand. The plan now is to fix up the bike, prepare presentations for various interested groups and find a job! Watch this space for a few of our Africa Orbital top 10’s looking back at some of our favorite things from our adventures.

Glad to be home!

Israel to Europe

Darren Writes 20^th Dec 2011, pics by me

Our Cargo ship bound for Savonain N. Italy from the port of Ashdod was running a couple of days late. However, on entering Israel we had purchased bike insurance valid thru ‘till 26^thNov only, which was the original departure date of the Grimaldi vessel. In respect of this our bike import papers also ran until this date and caused the legal problem of them being in the country. There were a couple of options but the most sensible, which of course, would be the one for us, was to take and leave them in the port and the other side of customs. There was one problem with this idea and one that scared me more than what most of the African continent had thrown at us. An option that could leave us powerless and frightened. Public transport! Travel by bus!

The Israeli people can be quite hospitable, as described in the last update but put a uniform on one and give him security detail and it can make for quite a contrast. Be patient, polite and keep good humour – just don’t laugh out loud. I couldn’t help myself. They can be more ridiculous than believable. It took a few hours having our bikes and possessions searched. ‘Do you have any weapons?’ Seems like a fair question. ‘I have a leather man tool and an ornamental knife from Tanzania’ I replied. I had already laid some pepper spray on their desk. The knives were removed and then my pannier was x-rayed. ‘I will ask you again. Do you have any weapons?’ ‘Hmmm, Russ, can you think of any thing?’ We scratched our heads. I don’t know if we were just tired or simply used to our axe being a tool, not often used a weapon and so by us not thought of as one. Then another of the security found a retractable utility knife in the bash plate tool box behind the front wheel of my bike. ‘This is a weapon!’ ‘Well yeah, there’s that too.’ I blushed. ‘I will ask you one more time. Do you have any more weapons?’ Just the phrase made me want to laugh but I managed an expressionless face which did turn a little sour after he told me he wasn’t going to be so nice next time. ‘But you haven’t been nice the whole time.’ I complained. He searched my tank bag and pulled out the pepper spray that I had returned. With a face turning to thunder whist his thumb and index finger dangled the new potential threat toIsrael, I couldn’t help the corners of my mouth rising and letting out a little laughter. Whilst he was not impressed, my protests of the ‘weapon’ having already been declared didn’t help because that would just have meant that he was stupid for missing it in the first place.

To make things more difficult, I had left my passport in Jerusalem and so Russ only was allowed beyond this point to ferry the bikes into a warehouse. He was gone a good couple of hours and left me in a declining state due to the contemplation of the forthcoming public transport journey back to the hostel in Jerusalem. It seems like he got the raw deal though, as we had missed some procedure to leave our bikes in the warehouse and eventually they were left in the car park inside the port. He had done lots of waiting too, though with bursts of running to collect the second bike and try and sort some paper work. It was getting dark.

We left the port and our bikes and carried away a particularly odd carrier bag of weapons. The 10 inch blade from East Africa, an axe and the pepper spray were not allowed in the port but they couldn’t care less about us travelling back to Jerusalem with them. We then walked to a bus stop. We waited for a bus and then we actually got on a bus with a bus driver, other passengers and everything else cliché about a bus. It was 2 miles into town but as it happens, once we arrived, we got off the bus and then the bus drove away. And there it was, we had just survived our first bus journey. It actually turned out to be good introduction as the next bus would be for much, much longer and I’m talking a good hour and a half and we would have to go through a shopping centre to get on it too. We needed something to take our mind off the ordeal. After working out that we had to go through a shopping centre we approached the security to enter into the mall. More baggage checks and metal detectors. ‘I have some weapons’ I confided in the guard. He wanted to see. He was a nice older chap and kindly suggested I kept the weapons in the bag, not to take them out and to declare them to any other security. It had taken a little explaining on my behalf but I didn’t want to just chuck them away but instead give them to some of the hostel staff, I had come to know. We then got on bus number 2of the day. This was endured by watching a movie on the lap top Russ was carrying though I couldn’t tell you what the movie was called.

Abraham Hostel

We arrived in Jerusalemand had another x-ray to go through and so I declared my bag of weapons. This time the security didn’t know what to do and after some time and phone calls he made similar suggestions as the previous security and allowed us to pass. Next was a tram. Public transport number 3. I wasn’t sure how much more we could take and though it seemed to last forever whist travelling on it, it was soon over and across the road was the Abraham Hostel – a fantastic hostel with some lovable staff and owners. We had come all the way back to Jerusalem ‘cos it was a good place to hang out for a couple of days and also because it was the hostels birthday. Inside was a party started.  Time to relax.

Of course the next couple of days were spent here and though reasonably relaxed, the idea of busing it back to Ashdod lingered in the back of my mind. The journey back to the port, however, was more of a dread in consideration of going though the security again and sorting out all the paper work required and hundreds of pounds for the privilege. After all day of this we eventually were done and just to wait for the ship to come in. We met another couple who were to travel the same ship as us and looked forward to our onward journey out of the Middle Eastand into Europe. Before midnightit eventually arrived and after the morning had started the gigantic hunk of metal set sail towards Italy. Barbara was the 5^th customer on board. We were on our way home to our own continent.

The draw bridge on the gigantic cargo ship

The Italian Grimaldi company, according to Marco, an Italian we had met in Jordan, had a bad reputation. Ok, it was a few days late but after all it was a cargo ship and the food was fantastic eating with the Captain and his officers. The steward was all that could be expected from a Neopolitan in his kind, firm way of making you want to explode after the 4 courses served at both lunch and dinner. However, I had to agree with Marco when a couple of days before landing we were told that the ship wasn’t going to Savonain the North of Italy but to Salerno in the south. This was going to set us back a couple of days and a 1000km. On the bright side it was one day to Florence and a visit to this beautiful city and a ‘hi’ to Marco. We stayed under his hospitality for a couple of nights. The next day we would try and ride from there, over the Austrian Alps and to Munich where we had another couple of friends we wanted to visit.

Florence is beautiful

Daniel and Anika were a couple we had first met in Cameroon. We joined them to Caribe on the coast and later met them in Brazzaville and then arranged to meet in Namibia and finally in Cape Town. They were some of the very few that take a west of Africa route and did so in a van, returning 6momths ago to Germany. Passing over the Alps was the worst part of this leg with heavy snow obscuring our visors and making them mist inside. Of course it was quite cold for motorcycling too and something of a contrast to the dunes of the Sahara and the hot humid jungles of central Africa. It was something we were very unused to. All this was worth it though to see Daniel and the next day Anika too. A couple of nights were spent at Daniels and a beautiful meal made by them was very much appreciated. An early start from Munich to Dunkirk would take us 570 miles through sometimes wet and other times freezing conditions but within a day’s reach of home and our loved ones. 570miles was incidentally the furthest we had managed to travel in a day, with 450 in Saudi being the previous record.

A cheap F1 room and some goodies from a French supermarket would be our last night for over a year outside of our home country and our own beds. Or at least we hoped. By this point we had told family and friends to expect us by Saturday afternoon but Russ had a continuing problem with his fuel filter. A problem that he had to keep clearing to be able to continue, it had become worse since Florence and particularly bad on the journey to Dunkirk, sometimes needing attention just minutes after fixing. It’s a strange feeling being at the end of something so long and knowing after 13 and half months the last day and just 250 miles would be the end of a great journey of exploration and adventure. But our families and friends were around the corner and were soon to be embraced as well as a few bottles to be opened in celebration. We were both very much looking forward to our home coming.

 

 

Israel & The Palistinian Territories

Darren Writes 26th November ’11 pic by Darren

Galaliee

What a choice to make: revolution in Syria, a glass of wine in Beirut, Lebanon and onwards through into Turkey and Eastern Europe. That was plan A and although we’ve managed to keep our route, more or less as planned, there was another option open to us.. Israel. Of course if we went to Israel we wouldn’t be allowed into Syria or Lebanon but still the holy land was alluring with its complexity of religion and politics. Also, the route north from Jordan was a little scary. Not because of the Syrian uprising but because of the snow and ice that would lay across our route beckoning shivers and aches. The one thing we had also learnt was the road was the most dangerous place on all our travels and of course motorcycles are not favoured in these slippery cold conditions. That’s settled then. Lets check out the holy land and catch a cargo boat to Italy.

Acco

On entering the Middle East we’d found unrivaled hospitality and the most friendly of people on our travels thus far and we were about to find Israel not to be lacking, from the very moment of crossing over the Jordan river and into the former Palestine. Unable to Cross the most direct route from Aman to Jerusalem we went north an hour and crossed near the sea of Galilee. Galilee was firmly in our plans and would now get the first visit. There was not a lot of people crossing this border but because of the extensive security checks we would find our selves there for a good few hours as the light started to draw in. The wait was softened by the friendly hebrew officers who were the first to enlighten us on Israeli friendliness. I was expecting them to be more hardened but despite them having to do their intensive interrogations due to us having been to Sudan, we found a people we could chat to with ease and who shared a similar sense of humour. We were on the same level. Things were not lost in translation and attitudes were familiar, if not a more care free. I was liking it and looked forward to the couple of weeks ahead.

Pilgrim touching the stone where Jesus was prepared for burial

Tiberias was our first call on the western banks of the famous lake known for Jesus’ ministry of healing and preaching, rasing of the dead, storm calming and of course, water walking as well as feeding multitudes with broken bread and fish. Here we met Eddie, the one-armed biker! We met him at the YMCA the following day to us camping in the grounds next to the lake. Israel is expensive and at £75/room, camping in the rain was preferable to the comfort of a bed in the dry. Eddie, the manager, insisted on us taking a room after his colleague, Almoghad prepared us some food. We stayed a couple more nights and enjoyed the company of every one there. Eddie had lost the use of his arm in a biking accident. He applauded our journey and respected our aim to raise funds for charity. At bill time he wouldn’t even except the camping fee. Thanks Eddie you’re a star and we very much enjoyed staying with you at the wonderful Tiberias YMCA.

Orthodox Jew Praying at the Wailing (west) Wall in Jerusalem

The north of the lake is home to a church that houses a rock on which it is thought Jesus divided the 5 loaves and couple of fish among five thousand men who had gathered there to listen to Him. Above is the hill on which he preached the Beatitudes and further along, Capernaum, the home of Jesus during his Galilean ministry. A wonderful feeling to know you are walking in the same place as Christ did 2000 years ago. However, Jesus wasn’t there and the multitudes who once followed him were now tourists or pilgrims who flock to the holy lands. Before leaving though, we had to sample the fish from the lake and imagine the life here, when the Son of God chose his 12 and dwelled in these lands, preaching the good news and doing all his amazing miracles. It was a bit cold and wet at the time so I didn’t try the good old walking on water trick, though!

The church upon Golgotha

From there we went to Acco,  the old crusaders town that felt like a middle eastern medina but built as an impenetrable castle.. one that even the short man, Napoleon couldn’t overcome. A bit of rest here was good untill upon leaving Russ had his helmet, gloves and Jacket stolen from atop of his bike. The owner helped to search for second-hand replacements which at a little over £100 turned out to be a silver lining as he is now more prepared for the cold ahead.

Nazareth was our next stop but just for a bite to eat and then through the West bank to Jerusalem. After passing through the security post between Israel and Palestine we found a completely different world and one that would be more understood after visiting Hebron in the west bank a little later.

Pilgrim in Prayer

The old city of Jerusalem is divided into 4 quarters; Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Armenian and although it held all the tourist trappings one would expect, it remained an incredible, functioning collision of the worlds 3 main religions, who had all fought for their parts within the walled city. I cannot explain the mind boggling history of Jerusalems millenia within a blog update but it was a blessing to be on the ground of the worlds most important biblical sites like calvery (Golgotha). Jerusalem is a fascinating city for which to witness pilgrims from around the world following their hearts and fulfilling their lifetime ambitions. But as was Galilee, Jesus wasn’t here anymore and although both Russ and I are believers we felt God in the heart, not in the buildings despite their beauty and thus enjoyed discovering more of the cities history than beholding a spiritual experience.

Graffiti art on the wall

We also visited the town of Bethlehem within the West Bank and the church that lies over the birth place of Jesus. Or at least the place that is believed to be the manger of the christ. We rode along the infamous 8 metre wall that separated the Palestinian territory from Israel and started to get a better understanding of the oppression suffered by the Arabs of this turmoil region.

Israels teen soldiers

A day in Hebron and the Israeli settlements within this chaotic arab city was at first confusing but an up close experience of the controversial occupation of the former Palestine. To understand as much as possible I tried to be objective and thus attempted not to form opinion though this is impossible when witness to the oppression of the Palestinians. I have learnt much talking to both Israelis and Palestinians but again I cannot express all I have found in the space of a blog and so im not going to try. As a tourist in this land I am lucky to be able to visit both sides of the wall as neither Israeli nor Palistinans can pass to one side or the other without very difficult to obtain permits.

Old Town, Hebron

We are presently staying at the Abraham youth hostel which, with its great staff and management, has been a perfect place to kick back, meet other travellers and enjoy a spot of night life along with our historic and political touring. Our ship from Ashdod keeps being delayed and so now we are looking at the 28th to set sail. We will see.

Jordan

Russell writes, pics by Darren 18/11/11:

Sunset over Wadi Musa

After our tiring yet exhilarating ride through Saudi it was a welcome break to arrive at Aqaba, a Red Sea resort town in south Jordan, however, it was a little strange suddenly seeing multitudes of holiday makers. I had quite liked being the only foreign tourist and now during Eid festival all the Jordanian families had flocked to the slither of coast on the Red Sea. Our little bubble had burst. We camped overlooking the Red Sea and Egypt, however, the prices had doubled for the Eid holidays. Darren took the opportunity to join a few other campers to dive the reefs that line the shore on Jordans Red Sea stretch, I took the opportunity to look at my fuel injector with the aid of a very helpful Dutch biker. A few days of rest and relaxation were welcomed, and a good chance to meet other travellers (including 2 bikers) and NGO workers, swapping stories and making friends while being treated to a glass or few of Jordanian wine.

Inside Petra

I even met a lovely Romanian chap, Razvan, who was born in Galati and whose parents go to the same Bethesda church as our charity, amazing! He gave me his gran’s home-made jam and a tipple brewed by his father to celebrate our meeting. We will have to make a visit another time, but its great how we’re making friends all over the world. The two bikers who had both come south through Syria said it went fine, so it got us wondering, maybe this way won’t be so bad after all, and it would mean we could call by Lebanon. The cost and availability of visas for those not obtaining them in their own country are our only concerns.

Petra's entrance Siq

The Treasury entrance

Next on our unusually touristic trail was the ancient city of Petra. So shocked by the expense of a day ticket we decided to take out own tour, however, this ment missing the main attraction, the entrance to Petra. Our route took us scrambling over rocks and into ravine to find a sneaky way in. We ending up stuck on some rocks with the Bedouin entrance visible but no way of getting ourselves safely down. Sheepishly we were guided down by a Bedouin shepherd boy who embarrassed us with his bare foot climbing skills. To see Petra today is quite something, but in its day it must have been quite amazing. Dwellings hollowed from the sandstone, and not just caves these were square-cut rooms with side rooms and ornate facades. Making the climb up to and looking out over the Treasury (the Indiana Jones one) is quite special as you stand above such an impressive monument of masonry.

Worth visiting from several angles

An impressive Monestary

The next worthy sight is a bit of a trek up to the Monastery where you can look out over to the Dead Sea and into Israel. Its worth spending some time with this one as its possibly more impressive than the Treasury , they must have cut back a whole mountainside to reveal this masterpiece. The trouble we’re having these days is that the nights are drawing in and by 5 we’ve lost all our light, so we had to speed back to the proper entrance to see it at all. The entrance is a 1.2 km long canyon or siq with water channels for the city’s supply running its length, and with the grand finale of the Treasury, in its day, I think it had to be one of the most impressive city entrances.With all the skill a man possesses, I still think the natural structures out shine mans best efforts.

Looking over to Jordan Valley

Dropping down into the Jordan valley and the Dead Sea was breathtaking with its views across to the promised land, Israel. I ts amazing to think that thousands of years ago Moses stood on these heights looking across at what we were seeing, it was actually quite exciting. At 428 meters below sea level its the Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth and we just had to go for a dip. The shore of the sea is encrusted with white salt crystals and the water swirling with saline. Once you’re in it’s just surreal, you really do float quite high, you just can’t push yourself or anyone else down.

Boiuyant on the Dead Sea

Its not table salt sadly

We had quite a bit of fun playing around, ‘standing’ in the super dense solution. After a wash off we were on the way to Mt Nebo when we came across 4 burly bikers on some very bling cruisers. A group of friends called the Jordan Bikers meet up on the weekend for a cruise, sunset views over Israel and a gourmet burger at the 5 star Marriott on the Dead Sea. They were a very friendly and welcoming bunch, and soon they took us under their wing. We looked like a pair of scruffians next to their bikes, they were so bling and ours were so dented, but that didn’t stop them inviting us to join them in the Marriott.

Rockin up at the Marriott

It felt a little strange in the middle of this unusual procession as we were ushered to a 5 star hotel, but we had a great meal and a great time with the very big-hearted guys from the Jordan Bikers. A big thank you . They guided us to Amman and directed us to downtown where I tried navigating for a change, to a hostel in the guide-book, and boy it’s not easy, no wonder I let Darren do it, its his 6th sense I think.

I didn’t hold out any hope really for fixing my fuel problems in Amman, but I set off to try. I’d discovered my filter was blocked and needed replacing but really didn’t want to delay things by ordering from the UK. Eventually I found a bike mechanic who punctured my filter trying to clean it so he had to bodge a fix. A standard bike filter, a pressure regulator from a Toyota and some extra pipe-work got me going, well, sort of. I need a BMW filter really, but it should get me home.

Looking small with the Jordan Bikers

Our route home: we have decided to take the ferry from Ashdod in Israel to Savona in north Italy. This probably isn’t the cheapest option but with doubts over getting a Syrian visa it’s one of a very few options. It also means we miss some cold weather riding through Turkey and eastern Europe which will be a relief as we’re still used to an African climate. A new trip to Romania next summer would be a much better time to visit our children’s charity in Galati. This could put us back in the UK for early December 🙂 and much celebrating!!!

But now we must exit Jordan with its glorious landscapes, sites of antiquity and the famous Arabic hospitality, and hopefully exchange it all for an Israeli / Palestinian one. I’m looking forward to it, and a step closer to home!

Saudi Arabia

The road through Saudi was goooood!

Saudi Arabia 6/11/11, pics by Darren, words by both:

A constant chug through the desert brought us to Suakin (near Port Sudan) by the following evening. No mishaps along the way gave hope and it felt good to be finally on the road again and making positive progress towards our exit from Africa and starting a new chapter in the Middle East. The following day was spent in the Port waiting for our ferry to Jeddah and processing numerous papers for emigration and copious more in order to export our bikes from Sudan. Russ in fact counted 7 different offices were visited for each purpose.

There are very few motorists taking the route through Saudi Arabia but by chance a Swiss couple loaded their truck upon the same ferry as us. Being with 4 wheels, they had secured a 3 day visa in Khartoum (only place available) and had little problem with boarding along with the multitude of pilgrims bound for Mecca and the Haj. Russ and I set up camp on the top deck and it was here we met them. Their first question was to ask how we had got hold of our visa as they understood it wasn’t possible for motorcyclists. After explaining our story we also shared our concerns of turning up in Jeddah wIth bikes. ‘If we can just get there I’m sure we can work it out.. I mean, whats the worst that can happen? We can’t be deported back to Sudan at least.’ Russ and I were feeling quietly confident and planned to go through Saudi immigration showing no sign of having bikes. We would then deal with customs after our entry stamps were firmly in our passports. Of course, we were still concerned to what we may happen and this was exacerbated when the Swiss told us a offical on the boat, who had our passports, was looking for us. Lets try to avoid being found before the boat leaves. The ferry left shortly after mid night.

Tramp camping outside Saudi customs

Arriving into Jeddah was exciting. Almost a forbidden country for tourism meant adventure awaited. The swiss bid us luck – needed luck. We had to leave our bikes on the ferry and catch a bus to the immigration which suited our plan. An hour or two of paper work and waiting produced no questions of our mode of transport and with big smiles on our faces, entry into the kingdom of Saudi Arabia was granted. Now for customs and the first thing we were told was that we couldn’t ride our bikes in Saudi. We were not put off and replied ‘Of course we can. It’s in our Visas.’ The truth was they just didn’t know as they didn’t seem to have experience of motorcycles. As we attended office after office a question mark remained to whether we would be riding through Saudi or not. The Saudi officials were very friendly and made it easy for us to remain positive. The Swiss couple, however, were soon told that they wouldn’t be driving through the Kingdom as their truck was right hand drive and required a truck on which to truck their truck.. I suppose it would have to be a rather large truck to do that. I felt bad for them as their downed mouths conveyed their disappointment.

The last office we went to was the office of the official who first told us we couldn’t ride in Saudi. He wrote our temporary licences then smiled as he welcomed us into his country. YES!!.. Two very happy chaps picked up their bikes in the area of inspection where they had been delivered. From being completely unsure of what to expect and at the worst fearing deportation we were now feeling blessed to have achieved the impossible.

Street tramping in Jeddah

The sun had fallen and with the infamous dangerous drivers of Saudi speeding around the city of Jeddah we decided to camp outside the port and start our journey at first light. We would have 3 days from then to drive the 750 miles to the Jordanian border. Thats enough time to do a spot of sight-seeing if we rode a decent distance the first day. I went to get take away chicken to share with the disheartened Swiss before we peacefully slept ’till morning. They went to a hotel after being quoted 1400 USD for their transport. Ouchh!

Saudi beach camp

With our successful entry into Saudi we were excited and looking forward to travelling through such an untrodden-by-tourist country. We made our way north on massive motorways after Darren had skillfully negotiated the Arabic signs and junctions of Jeddah. I had to continually check my mirrors on these roads as they all drive enormous V8 trucks and fly past us, even a lorry over took us at 100kmh! We made really good progress on the first day and it felt good, despite the hours of riding in a straight line, we were on the road in Saudi – brilliant! There were a few road checks to go through, and being such a novelty on Saudi roads we were pulled over, but we had the visas and Saudi licence to keep everyone happy. Its getting quite hard now to explain our route through Africa and into the Middle East, but at one police stop we got the chance to explain over Arabic coffee and dates in the captain’s office. Again we are made to feel like very welcome guests in SA as we banter with the traffic cops, this was rather nice, I like this off the trail travel. The second nights accommodation was a nice little beach location, just over 450 miles north of Jeddah, with a camp fire and noodles under the stars. Our first time to cover over 400 miles in a day, but no whisky to celebrate, it’s the home of Islam of course.

Enjoying the freedom of Saudi

As we’d done so well yesterday we could afford to take it easy today so we headed a few 100km to the coast where we could see the Sinai peninsula and the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh across the red sea. Here we found a nice spot on the beach with a pill-box (gun turret) for shelter from the strong breeze. We took a dip in the Red Sea and met a group of lads from Riyadh who were very interested in the bikes and quickly gave us cans of Pepsi and a bag of chocolate croissants and biscuits, sweet. Then as we waited for the sun to set the coast guard came along to say hi, see what we were up to, invited us over to the base for dinner, Arabic coffee, dates etc. So we went along and enjoyed lamb, lamb soup and flat bread with the officers, explaining as best we could to the one English understanding officer our trip and what we were doing in their country.

'Our' pill-box!

Ok they checked our passports (they couldn’t believe it), but we were made to feel very welcome and felt like special guests! That night we rather fancied camping in their pill-box and once back from dinner we made our beds and settled down to a film. However, at least three sets of officers came by to ask us to sleep in the base but we insisted we were ok in the bunker and had already made beds. Reluctantly they agreed, and the following morning we could see why… Two of them were camped outside of our bunker all night long to make sure we were ok, or that we didn’t cause any trouble in a gun turret!

Who'd have thought...

In the morning we went over to the base for breakfast with the captain, more lamb and bread, but it was good, and Arabic coffee is very nice. We said our goodbye’s, hugs, Salam Alaikum’s and were back on the road to Jordan as this was the final day on our visa. The road north from here took us over a mountain range and our first taste of cold for a long time, we even had to stop and put a layer on. I’m not looking forward to travelling through Europe in winter, we’ve been used to the warm for too long. But I want to get home more so we’ll just have to get cold. All too soon Saudi came to an end and we were through to Jordanian customs, it had been a fun few days enjoying the Saudi landscape and hospitality and the whole route felt like it had been blessed a long time ago.

Sunset over Egypt

Sudan update 3 – out of the frying pan

Boredom in the frying pan. We’ve been a month in Sudan, mostly in Khartoum. At last, this morning the call from DHL wakes us and informs us of our awaited delivery. A part for Russ’ bike; a sensor that will control the fuel injection. Alas the second-hand part came broken and with no time left to wait, there is no decision to make but to head for Saudi and Jordan on a wing and a prayer. We think the bike will make it but our concerns are still residing on the moment we hit Immigration in Saudi. Saudi is darn near impossible to get a visa for and ours is a 3 day transit. One which is not allocated to persons travelling by motorcycle but acquired with a little imagination saving the alternative of life in the oven of Sudan or a flight home (Egypt not a possibility as we don’t have the appropriate paperwork).

So we are now packed and ready and are just about to take to the road which I am very happy about. Our hopes and prayers are now lying in what awaits us across the Red Sea and for which I admit I am somewhat nervous about. One week and we will be in Jordan.We hope. We’ll let you know! There wont be a blog ‘Into the fire’

Happy Anniversary

The moment we left ..24th Oct 2010

Swimming through the Congo

One year, today, we left Hereford and headed for the dark continent expecting to travel around it and return via the middle east it in about 8 months. Well here we still are and as the cold sets in over the U.K. we seek shade in the mid 40 degrees in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. And being Sudan, a nice bottle of wine to toast the occasion is probably not going to happen. Have one for us!

Horizon to Horizon.. we've never seen the stars so bright

 

In one year we have travelled 23,400 miles across 26 African countries and 2 European. Off road, dirt tracks, desert dunes, good and bad tar and the occasional swamps have been our route . Through the Sahara, through the tropical rain forests of Gabon and the Congo’s, over mountains and ranges above 3000 metres, crossed rivers by canoes and rode savannahs vast and wide. We have seen Cobra to Black Pantha, Cheetah to scorpions and  gorillas too amongst other very varied animals of the African wildlife. We’ve crashed slowly and fast more times than I care to remember and injures have included bones broken like ankles and ribs, sternum  and shoulder. Malaria has visited a couple of times as did typhoid. We have most likely and regrettably forgotten more people than we remember but those that we do will linger in our memories and have been an encouragement to our trip. Weve seen stars from horizon to horizon and looked into a breathing volcano. An array of visas and cultures have graced our journey around every corner as have spanner days and breakdowns.

We could do with a decent peice of meat

From here we will soon head for the Red Sea, Saudi and the Middle East. This will be the second attempt to escape Khartoum after the first was halted by a broken piston and cylinder. From there the plan stands to be Jordan to Israel and then shipping into Europe, maybe Italy. With Syrian borders closed and Iraqi visas illusive to tourists this remains our only way home but the short cut should bring us to our families and friends for Christmas.

Spectacular veiws along the way

 

 

Tequila to Turkey roast is the adventure awaiting! We look forward to seeing all you peoples at home and some of our new friends we have made on the way.

Sudan Update 2

Dasrren Writes 14/10/11 Pics by Darren

Tents packed away, Our parts were cleared from customs by mid-day and onto the repairs we hastened. A phone call to our visa agent and told to call back in 15 mins. Another call 30minuets later and advised to call back in 2. So we went there. Russ Came out with my passport, handed it to me and told me there was a problem with mine… But he couldn’t hold back the grin! As rode away towards the place where we had left our motorcycle kit, Russ slapped my shoulders in the excitement of our achieved success and the bridge out of Africa and into the middle east. Saudi here we come.

were we really here.. In spirit at least

The time was already 4.30 but with 600 miles between us and the shores of the red sea, we agreed to ride into the night as our welcome visa into Sudan was about to expire. We managed 130 miles before coming off the highway and into some dunes to sleep the night. The Moon was a full one and though it hid the stars, it illuminated the desert and prompted an evening excursion. We had chosen to stop in the area as there were pyramids here which wanted to quickly visit. From the top of the Dune, under which we later slept, we could see the pyramids near by and took a sneaky visit. We clambered atop of one from where we enjoyed the views of the others and carefully climbed down the steep-sided ancient structure as not to fall and hinder our progress out of Africa.

Pyramids on the desert

That little dot is Russ sleeping.. He refuses to wake before the sun does

The night in the open was met with a small sand storm where a buff over the face helped though we’re still picking out sand from the corners of our eyes and our ears. But it was a problem quickly forgotten shortly after beginning the second day towards the port and our ferry. 50 miles later and disaster. The red light on the bike flicked on indicating overheating and I quickly pulled over. We stripped the bike down enough to check some basics and knowing we’d been here before we were quite sure the head gasket had blown and that’s not a small job to fix. But hey, not to lose spirit I confirmed we had a spare, town was a 20km tow away and with some new oil, coolant and diesel for a flush, we could make a repair in a day and ride through the night. We got to the cylinder head and the gasket beneath and sure enough it was in need of a change. Some rubber bits in the oil, though, were a concern and I wanted to look further. Off came the cylinder to expose the piston and our hearts sunk. One broken piston meant our return to Khartoum and the process of ordering another.

A very nice man, at the garage, helped organise a truck that was going to the capital. Bike on the back, fee negotiated but as for our step forward, it felt like 2 back. Russ rode on ahead and the driver of the truck, at the half way point, indicated he was going home to sleep. So in my best (non-existent) arabic, let him know I still had his fee. I  arrived to our camping area just before mid night and met up with Russ.

So here we are again.. We have a chance tomorrow to extend our Sudanese visa but not sure at what cost. The good news is we have a month to use our Saudi visa but still its hard to keep a smile when Déjà vu of this kind strikes.

Sudan update

Russell writes 11/10/11:

At the moment we only have 4 days left on our Sudanese visa, parts still in customs, ferry tickets to Saudi but no visa. Hopefully all this will change tomorrow, in fact I’m sure everything will work out, even if we had to back-track to Ethiopia for a while. The plan is to collect the parts from customs in the morning, we said it would be a wrestle, it was a 3 day wrestle with multiple layers of bureaucracy, inefficient staff and a labyrinth of offices. And that doesn’t nearly describe the hasstle it’s been in this heat. Next, fit the parts, pack, collect Saudi visa and leave in the evening for a night under the stars between pyramids. The next section will be a bit of a blur as we race the clock through Saudi, 900 miles in 3 days. I will look forward to soaking my sore bits in the sea at Aqaba, Jordan, for a couple of days while Darren goes diving. We are both really looking forward to the Middle Eastern leg of our adventure, with it’s many trials and complete unknowns still to overcome. We’re coming home, slowly but surely.

Saudi visa was initially turned down on the basis of us having mortorcycles. We have therefore, with the use of a pc, printer, a pair of scissors, a pritt stick and a photocopier, turned our motorcycles into a pair of BMW 316i’s. Hoping to get the visa. Hoping not to get into trouble landing in Jeddah.. We will let you know when we land in Jordan!~

Northern Ethiopia

Russell writes, pics by Darren, 6/10/11:

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Usual traffic

Mekele was our first stop after escaping the Afar and it was a sight for saw eyes and empty bellies; we headed straight for a café and energized ourselves with burgers and coke. We stayed a couple of nights allowing ourselves to catch up on the rugby and sort out the parts we needed and place an order. After all our suffering in the Depression I can tell you it was a refreshing couple of days resting and recovering. Next on our route was Axum, however, while enjoying the local cuisine and honey wine in Adigrat we decided on a detour to Debre Damo, a remote Orthodox monastery. Northern Ethiopia was completely different to what we’d seen before with its dramatic valleys and verdant slopes, and as we twisted our way toward the monastery we stopped frequently to take in the beauty.

The family cow, right

Distant Debre Damo

View from our barn

The next morning we made our visit to the monastery which was built in the 4^thcentury high on a sheer sided table top mountain. The only access was via a 20m climb up a leather rope on a vertical cliff face, and only men are allowed to make the ascent. It’s not a rope climbing macho thing; it’s an Orthodox monastery thing. But with all the wall kissing, pictures of saints and focus on the tourist Birr, the best thing about this site was the panoramic views from the top.

Living on the top

This photo cost a pen

Viewing Eritrea

The road to Axum was lovely tar that twisted and turned through more amazing hills and valleys, but we had to restrain ourselves as donkeys and cows could pop out at any moment and the bends often has some loose gravel on them.

Its a man thing

The Ge'ez translation

We took a day to do the tourist thing and hired a guide to take us round some of the ancient sites of Axum, once the heart of a large and powerful empire in the 4^th century BC and home to the Queen of Sheba and the Arc of the Covenant (as legend has it). We saw some impressive stelae, a granite obelisk erected above the tomb of a king, predating the arrival of Christianity. On the arrival of Christianity in the 4^th Century AD the king suddenly stopped building himself a grand burial chamber and started building churches, monasteries and removed pagan symbols from coins. Really though, for us, all of this was a little boring compared to the awe inspiring natural beauty of the area and in particular the Simien mountains.

Stelae in Axum

It was a tough but rewarding day’s ride from Axum to Gonder over 350km on mostly rough track through the Simien mountains. Rewarding not only because we made our destination but because of the sheer wonder of the mountains we’d passed through. For me, this was the most amazing scenery I’d seen from my motorcycle the whole trip.

The wonder of the Simiens

Our mountain road

At one point we were riding along a road carved into a steep verdant slope, and glancing right was like looking out of an airplane window to the valley floor some 1000m below. Here you can use words like ‘wonder’ and ‘amazing’ and you won’t ever have to worry about missing the true sense of the word! However, it was a tough day because it was all day concentrating on keeping the bike upright as we descended and ascended gravel mountain roads. Add to that the 60km at the end we had to do in fog and darkness with only one headlight between us, we arrived quite tired. More stress the next day though as England played Scotland in the rugby world cup, but with a few pints of St George on board the losing position soon improved and England grabbed the victory. We seem to arrive at town just in time for the sport, strange that.

Lovely northern Ethiopia

Following the obligatory lunch stop on the Blue Nile we have made it to Khartoum, where your coffee never cools. In the morning its 30 degrees, in the afternoon its 50! We have a few monetary issues to sort out as there are no ATM’s linked to the international Visa system and the few US dollars we have we need for buying visas and use in Saudi. And we have quite a bit of business to attend to with 3 visas to acquire, a shipment to wrestle from customs and parts to fit to the crashed bike. Not to mention the rugby of course.

 

Cold, lazy monks