Part 65 North from Nariobi

Saturday, 3 March 2018

It is great to return ‘Home’.

As usual most of our luggage is vehicle related items, 4 new springs, some bonding agent for repairs, a new induction cooktop, etc etc.

6 new tyres are also on the way to the UK as we only have about 10-15,000kms left on this set.

4 broken leaves on the rear to replace.

No2 main leaf on the front to replace

All due to the quality of the tracks we took in Ethiopia.

Sunday, is a repair and restock day with the plan Monday for the leaf springs to be attended to whilst we visit the Sudan embassy for our visas.

Monday 5th March 2018:

First thing was to the Fuso dealer where we had arranged for the leaf springs to be swapped with the replaced ones we carried from Oz. The start of that process took forever ‘Africa time’ , then we borrowed a car and off to the Sudan Embassy.

For some crazy reason, I just thought we would be on the road tomorrow... WRONG !

The Sudan Embassy - We had ready our passports and the 2 page application form completed BUT you need a letter on introduction form the Australian Embassy, a copy of the carnet as we are overlanding through Sudan, Copy of passports, credit cards , and the most baffling a “ You are requested to contact an authorised Sudanese Travel Agency, which will send your entry visa permission to the Embassy”

That will all have to happen tomorrow.

Back to the service centre by 12.30 and not much has happened. We wait, and wait.

Walked up the road to a very busy workers eating place ( I just could not call it a restaurant) chewed on some very tough road kill chicken, but the accompanying rice was nice.

Back to the service centre and waited till 5pm when we are advised the springs are done but they could not replace the tie rod end I had supplied as they could not get the original one off. Come back tomorrow !

An hour and a half fighting the peak traffic back to camp

Tuesday 6th March 2018:

Gone by 7.30 to be at the Australian Embassy by 9am opening. The 20km drive takes 1&1/2 hours. Through the tight security and no problem they can do an introduction letter but at a cost of Ks5,430 EACH That is a total A$ 137.00 ! Smile and pay !

Now the challenge to get that Travel Agency permission.

We had pre-arranged with “TravelinStyle” who at first said on the phone can do for US$15 each but on visiting had no idea of the requirements and sent us off to a Sudan Travel Agency.

A race in peak traffic to the Satguru Travel Agency. No problem BUT they would process the visa application entirely for US$200 each ! Quickly it would take 3-5 days. Thanks but no Thanks.

OK, back to the Sudan Embassy by 10.30am, We hand over the paperwork and wait. Fortunately he mentioned nothing about the Travel Agency permission and on hindsight I believe this was just so he did not have to do the work and just pay for a travel agency to process the application.

We wait, occasionally he calls us to the counter stating you do not have a hotel booking. ‘No, we stay in camp grounds in our truck’ Hmm they have to think this one ???

Wait please. The embassy closes at 12 noon we are the only ones waiting.

At 12.30 he calls us to the counter shaking his head, they are still thinking but pay your fee of Ks 5,100 each ( A$ 64 each) and gives us a receipt.

He has some kind words to Lyn who he said is very patient just sitting and waiting for the last 3 hours, and ONLY because she reminds him of his mother ( I think not but thanks !)

He will try and convince them to accept the application.

AND....... come back at 1 noon tomorrow and as it is lunch time bring a soda.

READ here something for me, something like a bribe !

So at this stage we think we have 3 options.

1.No acceptance and we have to go back to the Travel Agency and pay US200 each
2.Acceptance and wait 3-5 days for the processing
3.OR our big hope he just gives us our visas

For option 3. He gets his 6 cans of Soda, a Chocolate Bar

Back to The Fuso service centre, and wait while the tie rods are replaced. Both needed to be done and fortunately the local FE Fuso Canter parts are the same as they have in stock.

Back to camp again after dark.

Camp 251: Jungle Junction - Nairobi - 4 nights

Cost: 600Ks/person/night ( A$ 7.50/P/N)

Odometer Start for this Leg: 193,487 Kms

African Travels to Date: 47,432Kms

Wednesday 7th March 2018:

We awake hopeful, so we will settle up here, do some more vehicle repairs and at the Sudan embassy at 12 noon on the dot.

Great News: We have our Sudan Visas and the unsmiling guy behind the glass smiled.

And he smiled again as very clandestinely we handed him 6 cans of Coke, and that chocolate bar !

At precisely 2.03Pm we turn off the crazy roads of Nairobi and head North towards Cairo.

Next major event is the Border crossing into Ethiopia some 775kms away at Moyale

Camp 252: Naro Moru River Lodge. 8/10

Cost: US$14 /person

Altitude: 1971 metre

Today: 235 Kms.

Kenya to Egypt: 235 Kms

Now that we have settled in we realise at the Fuso service they stole from the vehicle our Umbrella, a Bottle opener, 2 sharp knives, Cheese grater, 2 forks, and our music sticks Buggers !

Thursday 8th March 2018:

We had driven this road before but in the reverse direction, however never had we seen Mt Kenya, and as a bonus still with snow.

We are only 50kms south of the Equator.

After Mt Kenya the road drops from its 2500m slowly down to 1200m. The more tropical country is left behind and now undulating semi desert with scattered Granite outcrops and old lave flows.

It is grazing country for the Masai with their Camels and goats.