The news is all good so far. The best being we were able to obtain another gearbox in Cairo so we have our fifth gear back. Headed Sth west along the Oasis road enjoying the sun and the clean air . Great after the choking polution of Cairo. Reached Luxor in three days and played the tourist bit checking out the Valley of the Kings etc. Got ripped off by those ever present Egyptian hustlers. When you think you have a bargain!!!! Ha Ha. There is always someone cheaper. Luxor to Aswan was done under escort.. we don't know why as all looked pretty safe and not much was done to keep us together. Still we arrived safely and our ferry ticket from Aswan to Wadi Halfa was purchased on the Sunday for the Monday ferry. The normal Egyptian hassles occured at the departure..volumes of paper and money. Why!!!! The ferry ride was easy despite the late departure and we met up with three Canadian backpackers and a Sth African M/Cyclist who enjoyed the journey to Wadi Halfa.

Assistance from a Nubian Sudanese at Wadi made this a most enjoyable entry into the country and no backsheesh!! The roads to Atbara appeared too difficult for our big load so we booked a train ride to this desert town once again enjoying the company of our new travelling friends. The journey was straight from the movies and can only be described as tough but bearable. There are tougher train rides.
Arriving at Atbarra at noon we realized the African heat was upon us. The bike fell over on the train breaking the fairing screen and dumping fuel on the Sth Africans' luggage. Sorry Selby.

Atbarra to Khartoum was a well surfaced road and we arrived at Khartoum on 11/2/00. The 12/2/00 was spent doing all the legal stuff to make us acceptable tourists in Sudan as well as fixing the bike screen. All is done, not much sight seeing though. We head off tomorrow to Gedaref then the Gallabat border crossing into Ethopia. We have quite a few dirty miles to do so I will change the rear tyre to a Barum !! we purchased in Cairo. We will update further when we find another Inter/Cafe. Regards Carol & Ken.