As usual, UB wants to be the first to leave, and today we will cross to South Africa at last! Getting all excited to leave around 9:30 but UB decided to leave at 9, never mind I would follow him as usual. We started riding on the gravel to reach the last junction when tarmac starts, I was too lazy to concentrate, so I decided to follow UBs track, is it me getting sleepy or the track is getting bigger? I still followed it, until he decided to stop, and guess what? He got a flat tyre! Not now not here, we have a border crossing! We stopped for the VAN, took forever since everybody decided to leave 9:30 except us. UB touched the tyre and it was steaming hot! Seems he rode it for a while with no air, and this explains why his track was getting bigger and bigger, yes he thought he had a wild night, and in the morning he lost his gravel skills, but it’s the tyre. Paul arrived, and fixed the puncture, we continued, but Ive noticed The rear wheel was bumping, I thought its just the color of the spot where they fixed the puncture, when we reached the tarmac part, UB told me there is something not normal with the tyre, I have suggested to ride and catch the VAN to bring him back to UB, and wait at the station, I started rolling as fast as I could, speed reached 195 km, and finally I found Paul near the station, he went back and got to the station, the bike goes into the van! And I continued riding to the borders of south Africa!
UB is taking photos of the riders, killing time until the Paul arrives
UB sad that his KTM didn’t make it to the borders
when I wanted to get a good photo of myself, Paul decided to show up
Crossed the borders very smoothly, around 15 Km “no man land” between Namibia and South Africa, and finally staying at a great more “civilized” hotel in Upington, got a suit, not far from my bike, great food and lobby, next day ride to Clanwhilliams, nothing much in that city, very simple hotel, one road, and one pub in the area, we played a game with all the riders on that day, number 5 arrives buys the wine, and guess who arrived jeaanot who got so upset and objected on the game, calling it a childish game, because UB decided to do some little shopping so he doesn’t arrive first. Nothing more interesting in this town, next day we left to StellenBosch, and what is in Stellenbosch? Wine and lots of wine, we have spent 2 nights there, which is known to be the biggest wine region in South Africa. Everybody was so excited for the wine tasting. I have decided not to go for it, and spend the day just relaxing in the hotel. Write my blog, work on my photos and cameras, make a short film of the desert in Namibia, and help UB make his film. I have even contacted a film maker in Qatar to do the film for us to appreciate what Kevin did for us. UB spent the whole day working on that film until evening when Jeanout told him: it’s stupid! Suddenly UB lost all the interest and decided not to finish it. Stellenbosch is a very interesting city, looks like a land of rich people, lots of Ferraris, people wearing brands, rich south africans dining at restaurants, wine tasting, dog walking, and smart dresses! I felt I am in Europe like one of south France cities or spain, you would never tell that this is Africa! Until we met those 2 chefs at the restaurant bar, who told us all about it. Some sad stories I have heard which I don’t want to talk about here. All I can say is that city was amazing, with all its streets, art galleries and shops. I had an early night to prepare for next day, the ride to the most southern part of Africa, Cape Agulhas!
Doing my wave
An early start, long, and very long day, straight and boring, just to reach the ocean again, or lets call it the Oceans, reaching Cape Agulhas, we did it in a group for a group photo, feeling was amazing to see the spot where 2 oceans meet! Took lots of videos and the photo of me standing on the middle of the sign, between the 2 oceans, which went viral on social media, had to ride for another 60 km to a little town near the beach to sleep for a night, next day an early leave to the land of hope, Cape Town!
Woke up that day very exhausted, for some reason my heart rate was so high, I rode with UB and Tony, there were lots of bikes, it was Sunday morning, weather looking like Qatar winter, a lot of bikers all around the route, some fast, other Harleys, some sporty. The whole ride was on the coast which was really amazing, I couldn’t concentrate on both but had to do on the ride, especially after the crash we have seen of a KTM bike on one of the bends, I was still feeling weaker and tired, why whenever I ride my heart rate goes up? Is it my heart or the watch? That’s why I decided to take it off. Kevin told us about another group pic and ride on this route, why? We did that already yesterday! But today we were riding to the cape of the good hope, which is not far from Cape town, all the world knows it, and its number 1 touristic and attraction place in south Africa, we had to wait on a long line just to enter the park, paid 303 Rand! Which it was a lot, and I think should be an optional ride, we rode down for a quick group photo and then we did a group ride to Cape Town! It was a very long boring group ride, through all the traffic, I was too exhausted and couldn’t wait until I am in the hotel! Oh yeah, shiraz is waiting at the hotel to take me to the “human Rights” event. Thanks god we are here! And shiraz is here too! I didn’t have a time to wipe off my sweat, jumped into his car and took me to “Palestine Museum” which was an interesting Under constructions building, where the event of “welcome to cape town” happened. I found myself at a conference hall, and lots of women and men waiting, a lot took photos with me, and many interested people were there. The concept of the museum was interesting, they even had a same scale size of the siege wall between the west bank and Israel. Had my talk, which I think it wasn’t boring! Then headed back to the hotel. That’s all, I will do nothing but rest! Good night
