Day 40: Khartoum - Atbara
It was all systems go at 5:30 this morning and after settling the bill and welcoming Moyis, our Sudanese tour guide, and his team, we set off into the quiet streets of Khartoum. However shortly after leaving the Capital City, the winds began to pick up and within seconds the team found themselves battling through a massive sandstorm. By the time we stopped for coffee at a little road side stall, the whole team was chewing on grit and coughing up piles of dust. Eager to rid their mouths of the sand, the Boyz welcomed the coffee and after dusting themselves off it was back on the bikes and into the deluge once more. Just before Shendi the team had their first road block nightmare for Sudan. On receiving our passports the official informed us that a new rule had been established, stating that apart from the normal security registration, we now had to register with the army as well, which unfortunately for us, we had failed to do. Luckily, Mark, Moyis and his brother Midhat, our connection in Sudan, managed to sort things out, and as Mark describes it, ‘’At the end of the conversation, we had them speaking Afrikaans.’’ Then came lunch, which was traditional pita bread, local beans, mutton and tuna, all hungryly welcomed by the Boyz who were quite famished, after spending most of the morning in the sandstorm. After the surprisingly enjoyable lunch, it was again back into the torrent of sand and onward to Atbara; however before arriving, we went to see the Meroe Pyramids, which are just a kilometer off the main road. Here we got a chance to brave the sand filled wind and walk in and amongst these towering man made marvels. Finally ladened with sand, and beginning to melt the team pulled into the government hotel, to spend the night. However before we could relax in front of the air conditioner, Grant, Mark and Craig had a rear tire puncture to fix, acquired in the last few kilometers through town and the rest of the team had air filters to check.
The Sudanese Starbucks.
The start of the sandstorm.
Craig and Les playing motorbikes.
The team tucking into lunch.
The bikes.
The Boyz kitting up for the sandstorm.
Driving through the sandstorm.
Driving through the desert.
Arriving at the Meroe Pyramids.
The Meroe Pyramids.
Grant battling the sand.
The Meroe Pyramids.
The Biker Boyz + Hilux (Moyis, Driver and Jhaya, the cook)
Another tea break.
Mark, Grant and Craig repairing the puncture.
COMMENTS
Suppose smile & wave just do not work over there. You more than likely had more road blocks in the last 30 days than in your whole life before. Come to think about it, your chanches of not getting one is just as good as me getting one from JHB to CT.
by Eppie on July 07 2009, 12:59
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Eppie Having a great time. Beats work anytime. As our comment of the trip goes. We do nothing in morning and then slacken off in the afternoon.
Cheers
by Les on July 07 2009, 14:38
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Hi guys. I like the website which I've just accessed for the first time. I see you went to Mafia earlier-awesome place for diving. And it appears you have a certain Paul Harbidge with you? I'm very envious. All the best for the remains of the . .more
by Rog on July 07 2009, 16:52
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The sandstorm pictures are awesome - must have been a bag of laughs - micro dermabrasion treatment for free - All the best for the rest of the "trip" - Good luck Paul
by Paul Durham - on July 07 2009, 18:14
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Your sandstorm photos are quite incredible. Cannot even begin to imagine driving through that let alone riding!!! Love the picture of the bikes with the camels. I think you should have each had an emotions gauge attached - by the time you write . .more
by Marilyn on July 08 2009, 09:50
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Hello Rob and the Boyz
Thanks for all the fantastic coverage and photographs so far. It has been great for us "Internet Riders" to have been able to follow your ride and to be updated virtually daily - well done lads!!!
Enjoy the little . .more
by Dave Cannon on July 08 2009, 14:01
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i hope lunch is better than what i got yesterday- dad took us canyonnin to spain with a guide.Our meal was meant to be curry chicken but turned out to be cold water chicken after dad packed it in a tupperware. your lunch looked a lot better.
by greg on July 09 2009, 12:53
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What an amazing picture of the bikes taken through the tyre. It should inspire you all to put pen to paper and then publish a leather bound, coffee table, biker manuscript,
detailing all your wonderful experiences and sharing your adventure . .more
by Mom Noeleen on July 10 2009, 10:03
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