Day 41: Atbara - Karima
Today Jhaya, our cook, treated us to an omelette breakfast and after eating our fill and getting our caffeine intake for the morning, it was on the bikes and out the gates of the hotel. Our route today took us into the heart of the Bayuda desert and back into the sandstorms, and after driving just a hundred kilometers through this torrent, it was off the bikes and into a roadside coffee house. The coffee house was little more than a mud hut with four walls and holes for doors, however the coffee and tea were good and everyone appreciated being out of the sand. Eventually the Boyz worked up enough energy to climb back on the bikes, by this time the temperature had worked itself into the low 40’s making the last one hundred and eighty kilometers look very daunting. Arriving in Karima, Moyis took us just outside the city limits, under the shade of the Holy Mountain, to the Nubian Guest House. Unfortunately for us the Nubian Guest House catered for tourists arriving in the winter, so with the +40 degree heat our rooms felt like climbing into pizza ovens. It was then off for lunch, which was at a local restaurant down the street and after enjoying another feast of Sudanese food, it was back to the Guest House to wait out the heat, Grant, Mark and Craig deciding to take a local Tuk-tuk back to the Guest House. At about 4 pm the team gathered, outside the guest house minus Rob who had called in sick, and under the guidance of Moyis we took a fascinating walk to the Holy Mountain, ending off the tour with a climb to the top of the mountain. Our walk took us through the Holy Mountain temple, built in honor of Amun, around the mountain to the pyramids on the northern side of the mountain and finally up to the summit. For dinner we were treated to a four course meal, starting with a fresh eggplant salad and ending with homemade sorbet. After dinner everyone retired to their respective rooms to brave the night and the heat that accompanied it, many of the team took the opportunity to flex their imaginative muscles trying to develop various ways to combat this heat. Les and Craig fashioned drips that dropped water into their fans, Paul drenched his towel in water and used as a blanket and Grant went with the intermittent shower method.
Leaving the hotel.
Back into the sandstorm.
Stopping for coffee.
The team taking shelter in the coffee house.
The coffee machine.
The coffee house.
The Holy Mountain.
Having lunch.
Craig, Mark and Grant taking a local Tuk-tuk.
Paul walking towards the Holy Mountain Temple.
Paul trying out a new ride.
Les, Paul, Craig and Grant on top of the Holy Mountain.
The Nubian Guest House.
The pyramids from the top of the Holy Mountain.
Grant and Craig looking at the pyramids.
The sunset over the pyramids.
COMMENTS
Hey Boyz, nearly there! Good luck for the last stretch.
by Kean on July 09 2009, 03:31
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it
You guys really deserve a medal - enjoy the last stretch
by Carole Christie - Port Alfred on July 09 2009, 10:25
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it
jee those sandstormes must realy be getting on your nerves now
enjoy the last stretch
by greg on July 09 2009, 12:57
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it
Well Boyz - your journey is almost at an end - I would love to know just how you are all feeling - I have really enjoyed following you - maybe from the comfort of my chair - but nevertheless it has been exciting. I am quite sure it has been all you . .more
by Marilyn on July 09 2009, 21:41
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it