Aswan (From Dorset Echo)

Aswan

9:34am Tuesday 21st October 2008

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So, here we are at Aswan, 7000km from home and two ferry rides. Sudan is 200km south and a lake separates us. Strangely, it would currently be cheaper for us to return to England than to get in to Sudan. For this we have the Nile Navigation Company to thank. I believe they are owned by a relative of the president and they have the monopoly on border crossings.

We discovered today that the land border was open until the recent kidnappings but now the governor of the local police considers it too dangerous. Hence we've got to take the ferry. Well, we've just considered our options and we've decided we will have to take the ferry.

JC has just found out that someone in Serbia is taking money out on his card. Hence, he's flying home as he is out of cash. We are down to 5.

Another issue that we have just discovered from some fellow English travellers is that if we were to sell the bus here we would pay 800% tax on the price. It basically rules out selling the bus here. We have to travel on or back.

The English are from Plymouth and travelling by Porsche and a Shogun.. They don't have their own dining tables and candelabras so are sharing ours. They are also helping us to finish our alcohol supplies before we enter dry Sudan. Bill is getting emotional and talking about driving solidly day and night to get through it.

So, early start tomorrow. My phone is back working just. Probably needs some gaffer tape.