I left the “home” of my Korean friend, Isa Kuri, owner of Nubian Guest House in Dongola on the 19th of September. So far from Wadi Halfa, I have already cycled 940 kilometres. I have been travelling around and in Sahara Desert. The desert faces one of the harshest climates in the world with strong winds that blows heaps of sands into my eyes and scorching hot weather that has made my bicycle tyre wear off and burst faster than I have ever known in the entire tour. Afternoon’s heat makes me want to bury myself in ice blocks while certain nights are freezing at minus six degree Celsius.

Population is very dense around the desert radius of 70 kilometres or more, I would be lucky if I saw a house somewhere and luckier if I saw people in it. People travel through this famous desert on Camels just like in the pictures. Though about 12 thousand years ago, archaeologists say there are plenty proofs of more life and green here than today. Having travel through it, trying to live in the desert in an impossible feat.

I have reached my main destination in Sudan, its capital city Khartoum. Since Dongola, I travelled via Golid, Multaga, Tam Tam, Abu Dolloa and to Khartoum, covering a distance of 520 kilometres. It is very rare to see two floored houses and they are usually small mud houses despite being a capital city, lifestyles here are pretty much not extravagant, just nice, easy and simple. People make drinking containers out of sheep skin and like I have said in previous blogs, water is carefully used and the people are extremely receptive and absolutely friendly.

From what I had expected since people told me Sudan was unsafe, it has been the total opposite. There is lots of respect here, and they are all very helpful. The Sudanese makes me feel like one with them, there is no such thing as price hike for foreigners like me. People are very sincere and honest here; it would be disrespect for them if I lock my bicycle. This country is amazing; the shop keepers do not even bother to lock their shops at night. My experience has been wonderful but I have just been here, I might be in for some different changes having been in the country side and the capital city, we will see about it.

I have finally found internet signals when I reached Khartoum, thus my lack of updates. Today I think I will be resting, until I get a phone call for an interview. Since Cairo, I have also met a Nepali here, had my cravings for typical Nepali food dhal-bhat (lentil soup and rice) filled and am looking forward to meeting more Nepalese. Till then, drink lots of water and stay healthy.