by hand, onto the ferry. Huge loads - bales of wire, washing machines, heavy crates, and it took hours for it all to get packed in somewhere. No machinery necessary, just human strength!
Second photo, our bikes safely herded together on the top deck of the ferry. Note the full lifeboats - no there was no emergency, they are just used as extra passenger space. How practical, eh? We felt lucky to have a "first class" cabin....
Third photo, our friend Francine models the best outfit for bug infestations. The bugs were horrendous, but the Sudanese are okay with them as they pollinate the date trees and bug season doe not last long. Of course it was over as soon as I blew 10 Sudanese pounds on a bug net for my head.
Fourth photo, the evil thorns that reduced a few riders to bad language tears or both on the second day of off road. They are vicious and were everywhere. The best tool was a leatherman to pull the thorn ends out of our tires. Some riders had 8-10 flats, I had none - yay! Very trying day between the endless washboard, loose gravel and injured riders.
Fifth photo, me thoroughly enjoying a donkey shower. Okay, actually this one was a tractor shower but the one the next night was definitely transported to camp via donkey. That was the night of no sleep...the nearby village had some huge menagerie of animals in residence so all night long there was a cacophony of donkeys braying, dogs barking, roosters crowing and camels saying whatever camels say. It was incredibly noisy, we don't know how the villagers ever get any rest!
Last photo, Sandy and I close to camp, right by the " welcome to our area" sign the local tourism board had put up. Yes, Sudan has a Tourism department!
More to come, but first I have to charge my iPad! Thanks for all the comments!
Steve and I were away for 10 days in Vancouver and Seattle and already have to catch up with you for an entire country of Sudan. What fun to ride in a suspended life boat! I find it amazing that you can even charge your ipad in the desert when we had power outage during the Superbowl in New Orlean's. Hope you will be somewhere romantic for St. Valentine's Day next week. Keep up the good work. Sally
ReplyDeleteYou guys look great. Love hearing about your adventure! Glad to hear you are safe and have avoide rock throwing bystanders and huge thorns! You are an inspiration to many!
ReplyDeleteSteve and Kelly