Dubai to South Africa

[FlyRide]

Hi All

Will try to post a pic report, as we go along. More details at larrysharon.blogspot.com

 

[Chrisl]

Sub :thumleft:

 

[FlyRide]

Damn - see that I'll have to resize pics - trying to work off phone

 

[adrekruger]

Popcorn time

 

[FlyRide]

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Dubai, UAE to Salalah, Oman
9 May 2017 – Day One
The Dubai chapter of our lives has now closed, it was very sad seeing our little house empty and abandoned, they are due to be demolished in October. Very sad to say good bye to all our friends, we will see you all in Grahamstown soon. We are going to miss all of you!
We decided to leave Dubai at 5pm because of the heat and it was a really good decision, I don't think there are any other countries in the world that we could have done this but traveling in the UAE and Oman after dark on our bikes was great. At one stage I did say to Larry that the desert in Oman is prettier at night than during the day, his reply was but we can't see it, well, exactly! It was a tough ride, not because of bad roads but the heat, wind and long distance between fuel and accommodation make it difficult to plan. We eventually decided to stop at about 1.30am at the nastiest and grubbiest Oman truck stop Motel, as we hit the pillows we were sound asleep.
Once out of the desert and onto the coast we were met with some of the most breathtaking scenery, sweeping roads and drop offs directly into the blue blue Indian Ocean. The temperature dropped from about 39 to a balmy 31, but the humidity did climb and the cooling vests stopped working.
One of the most amazing things about this part of the world is the Omani people, most times that we stopped a local would come up to us and ask us to come to his house for coffee and offer help and assistance. I have experienced this hospitality before and it is a genuine offer of help.
It was a very long hot and windy two days, we did over 1300km and bought fuel on from some locals at a truck stop, ate local food, slept in a local motel but all in all we had a good trip, very sore because we are not riding fit but that will come, nothing like being thrown in at the deep end.

Day Two – 10 May 2017
After a good supper and a very nice sleep in a big clean bed we set off for our 10am appointment with Sayed the agent from Dhofar Shipping. Once again the Omani people do not disappoint! We battled to find his office but with the help of a local gentleman we found Dhofar Shipping and Sayed. The Omani people are so willing to help - just stop, and somebody will offer help!!
It looks like we will have passage on a Dhow on Monday, we are to see Sayed again early Sunday morning and make the final arrangements. Sayed asked us not to contact the dhow directly he would do all the dealings for us. When asked how much his costs would be he shrugged his shoulders and said nothing, the little bit of money that we would pay him is nothing, it won’t make him rich and it won’t make him poor. Reading other peoples blogs regarding the shipping of cars, motor bikes and bicycles in this fashion it has been done for the cost of the crane hire in the port.
As there are no ferries , or official means of transport, the dhow trip, from Salalah to Berbera will be on a working boat, which normally brings livestock from Somaliland to Oman, and returns carrying flour and dry foods. The trip should take 4-6 days, depending on winds and seas.
After a good walk on the beach, trying to loosen up, we just had a fantastic swim in the warm Indian Ocean, big waves and strong currents but well worth it. Maybe this will help for the sore backsides. Tomorrow we are hoping to do some exploring of the local sights.

 

[Kenisis]

Sub

 

[katana]

Sub too  :ricky:

 

[TVB]

Thank you so much for starting this thread, and please keep it life as much as possible! Safe travels and enjoy every minute!

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[zebra]

sub
scr
ibe!

 

[Pilchie]

:sip:

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

This will be good.

Sub.

8)

 

[Amsterdam]

You definitely have my attention with the crossing from Salalah to Berbera. Would like to hear more about that.  And since you guys spent much time in Dubai I am sure you can answer this question, can you cross from the UAE by ferry to Iran?  That would certainly make for a nice option for the Cape Town to Europe route.

 

[NoRush]

:sip:

 

[Operator]

:sip:

 

[Kykdaar]

:bueller:

 

[silvrav]

:sip:

 

[lpj]

:bueller:

 

[Casting from Turd]

:sip:

 

[edgy]

Travel safe Sharon and Larry, enjoy an incredible lifetime opportunity and see you both back here in Grahamstown  :thumleft:

 

[Probie]

Sub, safe travels. Can't wait.....

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