Khartoum, Sudan
Posted by: Russ Malkin | Date posted: 15/06/2007
Pictures
How about Paper Scissors Stone? ©
In our latest update from the road, we can see just how long the border crossing from Egypt to Sudan. See the clip above or read below.
Paperwork, waiting, and 44 degree heat does not a happy Russ make... 'We're checking the chassis number and the engine number for our endless, endless, endless, endless, endless paperwork. We had to stamp our passports four times. We all got off the ferry, got back on, in the heat...'
He goes on to explain, 'I've just counted that we've got 16 more border crossings on this trip, in two months. Each one of those is out of a country and into another one, so you could multiply that by two – so that’s 36 border crossings. Each one a minimum of four hours, so that's a whole week spent at borders in two months – you can do the maths.'
Pondering this, he asks Ewan, 'Why are eight intelligent people sitting in 44 degrees heat when we could be in Surrey?'
'Because it's out there,' replies Ewan, 'because it's there. Like going around through Siberia, you know? People were like 'what are you doing that for?' but in actual fact it was fantastic'. 'It was fantastic' agrees Russ, who then explains to the camera, 'We’ve got sucked along in Ewan's vortex'.
Meanwhile Jim is handling the paperwork, clipboard in hand, 'Ah look - they’ve put the wrong sheet with the wrong car...that's OK, no problem...' What would they do without him?
And here are some more answers to your questions! If you have a question for the team, you can post it here.
Troy – Why did you chose the BMW R1200 GS Adventure over the BMW HP2s? And did KTM try to win you back?
Ewan: No, KTM have been very, very quiet and tight-lipped ever since Long Way Round, as well they should be. And we didn't go on the HP2s because, er, why didn't we go on the HP2's?
Charley: Good question. I suppose the 1200 is probably geared a little bit differently, it's probably a bit easier to ride on long distance, and you know, it's surprising how much of our mileage is actually on tarmac at the moment, and its only that 5% where it really gets gnarly. But I wouldn’t mind if you told BMW that I think it would be very nice if they gave me one with Supermoto wheels, I'd be very happy!
Fastboy - Will you all be growing beards on this trip?
Charley: Well I think I'm going to keep my little goatee thing going, but I think Ewan's going clean.
Ewan: No, I'm not growing a beard this time. Just because I did it last time and it just doesn't seem to suit the heat of Africa.
Kirsten - Looking forward to another massage this trip?
Ewan: I'm sure that Mr Malkin probably already has organised some sort of slapping around at some point on the trip, but I'm not sure. I don't know, it depends whether it’s in the country's culture or not, and I think its very much a Soviet Union thing, that kind of sauna culture.
Charley: I'm sure it was Mr Malkin who told them to be a bit more aggressive with us! But I think we learned our lesson on that one. I certainly never want to go through that again. That had to be one of my most painful experiences, and I kept telling myself that I'm sure I'd feel better in the morning for it, and I could barely walk the next day. So I think we're going to try and avoid that at all costs. But if it does turn up the maybe, you never know. Never say never.
Russ wondered why they were sitting in Sudan rather than Surrey. See below for the comments you sent in and your reasons for getting away.
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 85
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At 03:28:47 PM on 15/06/2007, Evil Puppy (Istanbul TURKEY) wrote:
Escape the bubble !!
Simple : Because there IS so much more to this world than this little "bubble" we live and breathe in. (Though I understand that bureaucracy can make you forget that!) Oh and by the way, if you need any of those travel games to pass the time - just let me know OK :) ?
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At 03:33:26 PM on 15/06/2007, Graeme (Edinburgh) wrote:
A week of border crossings!
OK a week of border crossings isn’t a lot of fun, 44 degree heat isn’t a lot of fun, falling of bikes isn’t a lot of fun, sandstorms aren’t a lot of fun and I’m sure there will be plenty more moments in the weeks in front of you that won’t be a lot of fun – but hey if you want to swap places I’m sure there won’t be a shortage of volunteers. Enjoy!!!
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At 03:49:36 PM on 15/06/2007, Alanna (San Francisco) wrote:
Hang in there!
A week spent at border crossings - ugh! I've been enjoying the video clips (thanks so much for sharing them!) and just wanted to wish you good luck on your journey... You are all in my thoughts! :)
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At 03:53:28 PM on 15/06/2007, Jen (Marshfield, MA, USA) wrote:
Getting sucked along into Ewan's Vortex...
...Doesn't sound like such a bad idea, there Russ! LOL! Not a bad idea at all...But really, you have to look at it like he says, it's there, and you can do it, so why not? I know how easy it is to get sucked into that whole "why am I here?" mentality, and how tough it is to shake that off as well. I do hope that the rest of the 36 (!!!!!) border crossings go somewhat smoothly for you all. So what is 44 degrees in farenheit anyway? I am gonna try and remember my conversion rates over here...(why is America the only one that uses farenheit? It would make so much more sense for us to be on par with, oh let's see, the rest of the world?) I don't know what it is but I bet it is hot!!
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At 03:56:01 PM on 15/06/2007, Richard AW Tortorella (Langley, BC , Canada) wrote:
None of us need a reason
An integral part of human nature is to explore. Thus the answer to why we travel is simple: we all need to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations to boldly go … well you get the drift (sorry, I couldn’t resist - hehe). That is the reason most people I know who ride motorcycles: to experience things that you otherwise could not by any other means of locomotion, as you almost become one with the road around you, and thus the people along the way. Why do I personally get away? Because it is a mini-adventure each and every time. I may not be crossing deserts on a regular basis, but the feeling is there none the less. Avoiding getting killed in traffic is just as exciting – if not as frightening. Richard T.
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At 04:14:28 PM on 15/06/2007, David Smillie (Gosport) wrote:
Beautiful
I've been out to Suadi Arabia so i know all about the heat, its tough. Even tougher with all the gear on and all the waiting about for the paperwork! It looks beautiful though. must be worth it just for that.
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At 04:25:08 PM on 15/06/2007, Kristen Olsen (Vancouver, BC) wrote:
Relaxation and perspective
When I get away it's mainly to relax but also to forget the trivial minutiae and daily routines that I get caught up in. I'm a much happier person when I take a few steps back and get some perspective on work and relationships. I'm really enjoying your posts -- thank you for doing this!
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At 04:53:18 PM on 15/06/2007, bryan hackett (hartlepool) wrote:
to inspire others
Your book and dvd the long way round (I've just read the book in 4 days - after a hard days teaching) has inspired me to learn to ride a motorbike and go on my own adventures. You guys are modern day Shackleton's... You have inspired me and I'm sure thousand's of others... Need I say more? Other than thanks ;-) Safe travels
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At 05:23:30 PM on 15/06/2007, Morgan (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) wrote:
border crossings and toilets
I suppose border crossings and going to the toilet have at least one thing in common: It's never over until the paperwork is done.
At 02:30:39 PM on 15/06/2007, tim (London) wrote:
This is what I've been waiting for
I'm excited to see the team finally getting well and truly stuck in to africa. who knows what adventures lie ahead. i look forward to seeing more of jim as he impressed me in Race to Dakar.
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