‘Countries’ Archives
Rwanda
Visa: free Car: free The Rwandan border was the easiest one yet. We were able to sift through the schemers and cons with relative ease as we were now trained in the art of spotting them. All you have to do is smile and ignore them. Sometimes you have to mutter a polite no thank you to the really insistent ones. The usual task of passport and carnet stamp and then we were on our way. The roads are splendidly smooth, which we dealt with later. It was late so we headed for a roadside [...]
Uganda
So finally we had made it to Uganda. Albeit that it coincided with the general elections, it was such a treat to be with our new found South African friends. It did cost us $50per person and a further $40 odd for the car. Our first night in Uganda was spent at this lovely locally run guesthouse. It was clean and the best part was that it cost us only $5 a double room. What a bonus! The next morning saw us head out on the dirt road towards Sipi falls. The views are beautiful but the road [...]
Kenya
Visa: No visa required for South Africa staying 30 days. Car Road Tax: Free unless staying more than 7 days otherwise $20 Upon entering Kenya, we were shocked by the automatic increase in camp prices. Kenya Wildlife Services charge $15ppp/n for camping. Camping! I just turned around and we drove straight out for the Marsabit Road. I might as well add that it was 3pm when we started driving the road. The Marsabit road was a pleasure after Ethiopia. We didn't see people for at least a half day. [...]
Ethiopia
We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for the delay in updates. Our electrical goodies were zapped during an electrical storm while we were in Nairobi. Entry visa: $20 for single entry, $30 for multi-entry Well now we're in Africa. We were being followed by a local to seemed to think he was our guide. We stopped outside the vehicle authority building and headed for the officials. This little nimrod protested that we first had to go to the building across the road [...]
Sudan
21st Dec Entry into Sudan took about 2 days, simply because we fought the law at every corner. The ferry came into port at about 1pm on 21st December. The boys went off to find out what needed to be done as far as paperwork. We eventually went in search of them as this took a while and we wanted to get off the ferry. The were filling out some kind of Alien Registration form detailing where we were going and contact details. We alighted the ferry and Mazir found us on the way to the baggage [...]
Egypt
The Wadi we had discovered the previous evening turned out to be a real gem. It was wide and shady with towering cliffs to either side of our camp spot. We had decided that car maintenance would be the order of the day. This entailed n oil and filter change for e and an oil change for Roger. For some tie I had been feeling a strange vibration from the front right wheel, the one I had changed in Syria. Si I checked the wheel bearing. It was fortunate that I checked as one of the wheel nuts had [...]
Jordan
It is funny how perception can influence ones perception of a place. With out a doubt Syria left a sour taste in our mouths. It just left us with a feeling of disappointment. Jordan on the other hand started on precisely the right foot. You cannot believe what a difference a smile from a friendly official makes. The border crossing was dream. We had to pay a bit. For instance the car insurance for a month is 36JD and to stamp the Carnet costs 20JD, but that’s not so bad. The best part of the [...]
Syria
Entry Border crossing at Karkamus. Car insurance 1 month minimum: $55. Entry tax: $10 Time: 2 hours. Petrol price: 0.30 Euros per litre Diesel tax: $150 per week or E100 per week Exit border: SW of Daraa Exit tax: 500SP per person Not sure if we did it correctly. We bought car insurance, then had our Carnet stamped and then our visas checked and fill out the entry card. On a side note the official who handled our Carnet was the one to ask the all encompassing [...]
Turkey
Bulgaria was brief and cold. The cities were not the greatest, but the astounding natural beauty and the night in the hotel more than made up for the rest. Turkey has so far been one of the most magical places. In the 3 weeks we have spent here it has brought exhilaration, anxiety, fear, wonder and frustration to mention but a few of the emotions that this country evoked in us. Let us start with the border crossing. Not an altogether unpleasant experience. The most remarkable thing about it [...]
Bulgaria
Bulgaria Upon entry into Bulgaria, you get of the Ferry and go straight to border control. They check your passport and car reg papers and stamp you in for 5 days. This is as a result of our Schengen Visa. Free of charge until you get to the road tax and medical insurance. It's all nice and organised actually. You don't have to go in search of road tax at any gas stations, you simply get it as you enter the country for 5 Euros for once week for a car, it's also known as a vignette. [...]
