Out of Africa

This morning was a momentous event: the Enterprise finally left Africa for the first time since entering Morocco in December 2016. We were out of the Israeli border and into Eilat having spent the night there.

Yesterday we had a change of plan when we reached Nuweiba and found that the cost of taking the ferry to Jordan was way outside our budget. We were therefore committed to continuing up the coast to leave Egypt at the Taba border. No problems with the formalities there. The security man who checked inside the Enterprise was a Manchester United supporter so Chris 'bonded' with him and he skipped a thorough search. We returned the Egyptian number plates, paid 5 euros exit fee and were stamped out.

Entering Israel was an entirely different matter! They were welcoming in a reserved way but once through the first security barrier we were informed that we had to take everything out of the vehicle, place it in trolleys and take it all to be scanned. We had an inkling that this would be asked of us so we had bought lots of plastic sacks to put clothes, bedding, etc in. We started by emptying the box on the back of balloon, tools, chairs, sand plates, winch and overwhelming them. It was decided after inspection that the balloon didn't need to be scanned, but we were informed we could not take it into Israel and it would have to be left in Customs until we left the country (Panama all over again?!) Meanwhile, I was emptying drawer, cupboards and putting as much as I could into bags. I hadn't realised quite how much stuff we have. Fortunately the Head of Customs came to have a look and decided that food, pots and pans, utensils and the contents of the fridge could stay put. Chris then had to take the Enterprise into another compound for it to be thoroughly inspected before we could start putting everything back. It took us 4 hours of hard, dirty work and was after dark before we could move on to the next bit. We were exhausted and Chris had lost his voice due to a sore throat. Permission was given for us to remain within the border for the night. We relaxed with some food, listening to the Brazilian Grand Prix. There was one bit of excitement when all the security men, armed with guns went running past and arrested a man who "had gone mad". It is a 24 hour border but few cars passed through during the night to disturb us. Only the clicking of luggage wheels as foot passengers walked by and the continuous music over loud speakers could have kept us awake but we were both so tired we slept reasonably well. At 7am we were ready to complete the vehicle paperwork and then we were out. First however the Customs Chief took us to Eilat port to sort out what should be done about the balloon. A compromise was reached: we had to write a letter requesting permission to transit Israel with the balloon, providing it would not be flown, and a refundable deposit payment of £1,000! This we agreed to so that we could be on our way.

We have been to Eilat before when we attended a balloon meet held in the nearby Timna National Park many years ago so we had never intended flying here this time. We have had a lazy day to recover from yesterday's stresses on the sea front watching boats, wind surfers and sail boarders out on the water, passing amongst the cargo ships at anchor. The view of the Eilat and Aquaba coastline was attractive by day but now at night it is stunning.

The day has not been unproductive. After several phone calls yesterday to shipping agents in Haifa and Ashdod, we received confirmation of the charges for sailings from both ports and the possibility of cabin space for us. Chris has this afternoon made a booking from Ashdod with Grimaldi to Salerno. The ship sails on 21st and will take 9 days, visiting Alexandria and a Turkish port en route. It will be a relaxing 'cruise' for us.