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| Day 52, 2011/06/22 |
It is difficult to get out of my con fort zone that I have managed to establish in my 10 days in Nairobi but, we can just sit here and wait. Without a passport we are not able to cross any borders so, we are limited to Kenya. David and I decide to venture out of Nairobi for a couple of days, while we wait for our passports.
We have done more than enough beach and sea so, we decide to head inland and west. What we are not aware at the time, is this is the main truck route from Kenya to Uganda. However, before we leave, we do coffee at the coffee shop and confirm why we are not able to track David's passport yet online. We discover that, the courier driver ran into problems after collecting David's passport. He was arrested and his car was impounded. All we needed, to delay this process once again! Anyway, nothing we can do about it. Frustration goes on!
The weather is overcast, and it is not long before we encounter soft rain, thick mist and cold. Yeah cold! We soon hit 2600 m above sea level so, it is not surprising that the temp is so low. The bike also does not like this altitude had I can feel that it is very sluggish. The weather at least improves, and the sun is a welcome warmer. The altitude does not diminish, at we touch a max of 2900 m during the course of the day. We reach another milestone, we finally drive past a road sign that signifies that we are crossing the equator. Wow! It is a great feeling. Never thought I would have gotten this far. We stop for a couple of photos to confirm that we did manage to make it thus far.
The driving in Kenya is really shocking, and it is not long before I experience the most ridiculous scenario. A vehicle, which is overtaking a vehicle which,in turn is over taking another! Yes! And the fact that I am in that guys lane appears to be my problem! And I am forced off the road to avoid an accident! The first time it happens,it happens to be a car, overtaking a truck, which is overtaking a truck. It is not long thou when I experience it again. This time it is a truck, overtaking a truck, which is overtaking a truck! Hell, nothing like seeing three trucks coming your way to make you shit yourself! Anyway,you get to deal with it after a while. You soon discover that, hooting and cursing gets you nowhere!
There are soo many trucks on this road that, the Tarmac has been warn away. There are tacks warn into the tar. Soo deep that, the truck drivers literally do not need to steer, all they have to do is accelerate and break. The problem is actually for us bikers since, it creates a nightmare when overtaking. And because of nature of the terrain, very hilly, and the sheer quantity of trucks, there is loads of overtaking to be done. Each time you overtake, it like climbing pavements, and also at speed, which is nerve-racking! Anyway, we survive and eventually get to our campsite, Naiberi. A realty stunning place. It is a well known over landing spot for trucks and also a popular wedding venue. Really stunning.
On arrival, I receive a message from Joni, my much better half. Apparently my dad has run into problems at the Ethiopian embassy in Pretoria. Apparently my bank statements are not good enough and, they also need a complete itinerary. No, not just of my stay in Ethiopia,but my ENTIRE TRIP! What the hell for? Enough to drive one to drink! Anyway, will have to compile one and send it through tomorrow with, my credit card statements. Hopefully,that will make them happy!
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