Dreaming of (or maybe secretly planning) a 'gentle' drive from home in the UK, through Europe, Asia, and some of Africa to home in Kenya, a total of about 6,500 miles.
Since my last blog (not that long ago) in the subject of a fantasy[?] overland trip to Kisii from the UK, I couldn't find a way to get from Syria or Jordan to the west bank of the Suez or Red Sea. But now, I've found it!So, the next part of my trip will be as follows. On leaving Turkey, I will travel south (as best I can) through Syria and Jordan, avoiding Israel like the plague.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Israel, but if I get any sort of stamp in my passport showing that I have been there, I will not get through some of the Moslem countries, apparently. So, I will avoid Israel like the plague as that is easier than avoiding passing through Moslem countries.In Jordan, I will make for Aqaba, where I can then take a ferry to Nubeiba. In this way I avoid Israel and Palestine. The next trick is to cross either the Gulf of Suez or the Suez Canal.
Once over the canal, I will make my way down to Aswan and this is where, by all accounts, the next problem arises. It would appear that there is no unauthorised road crossing between Egypt and Sudan. This was certainly true for north-bound traffic in 2008 anyway. This is Egyptian law.
So, it is another ferry, from Aswan to Wadi Halfa, along the Nile. From there to Khartoum, then on to Al Qadarif.
Then it is in to Ethiopia, Gondar, Addis Abeba, Hawassa, Moyale and across the border into Kenya. An alternative route would be to go west of lake Abaya to Arba Minch, Omorate and across the border into Illeret on the NE shore of Lake Turkana.
There is an almost direct route to Nakuru, at which point I would consider myself "almost home", as it is an easy run from there through Kericho to Kisii.
So, apart from crossing the Suez (canal or gulf), the itinerary is sorted.
Any comments?
3 comments:
Interesting stuff and all the best with your journey. I keep a blog and recently someone enquired about travelling through North Kenya from me [see here:http://sleeplesskenya.wordpress.com/about/]
I wonder if you could share an article about this region when you pass through it. thanks
Lake turkana,kenya formerly known as Lake Rudolf, is a lake in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, with its far northern end crossing into Ethiopia.[1] It is the world's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake.
@Parag - thanks for that.
@Lema - From what I have found out, Northern Kenya, especially in the Isiolo region is dangerous because of bandits, the road is not brilliant either. I hope to avoid these problems by not using the A2, but turn off just north of the border and take the C77 to North Horr. I am not sure that this is any better.
Apparently, the police sometimes arrange armed escort for convoys through the bandit land - but on a bicycle?
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