Siwa - Day 7

Seventh day trip to Siwa 5th of March, 2010 21:26

Total Distance 834.07km
Distance 209.37km
average speed 25.4km/h

Excerpts from my diary:
Made it to Siwa today, I feel normal, after all it isn't a multi-thousand kilometer trip or a few months long trip, but i can say it has been great cycling that road.
Today a guy at the rest house told me he felt an inner peace when he saw me. I can never imagine myself leaving that effect on someone. I do want to give hope and be an inspiration to many.

Yesterday has been tough, the usual high speed wind against me, lots of tractors, specially coming from the opposite direction.

My stupid cheap rear panniers gave me a hard time. I'll buy Ortliebs that's it, even though I can't afford it.

I loved how the desert expanded on my left and right. After 100km I took a left turn and just 20m away from the road I camped. This is how safe I felt, and a man with a broken car asked me for water for his truck the next morning and I gave him a bottle.

The weather has been magnificent today, wind in my direction and not too much sun.

I seized the opportunity and thought I better take the whole distance today and I did 210km in one day, a record for me.

I have a lot of left over food, hope I finish it with the friend and save some food money.

I'm happy, peaceful and calm...

Photos link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sherif.halim/SiwaDay7#

Siwa - Day 6

Sixth day trip to Siwa, 4th of March, 2010

Total Distance 624.7km
Distance 101.7km
average speed 12.9km/h

(haven't written anything on that day, too tired had to sleep)

Photos link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sherif.halim/SiwaDay6#

Siwa - Day 5

Fifth day trip to Siwa 3rd of March, 2010 19:45

Total Distance 523km
Distance 67.72km
average speed 13.3km



Excerpts from my diary:
My speedometer reseted today accidentally.
My day had a rough start with a silly fall. I started cycling slowly but kept a good pace. Cycled with great power to 50km and started to wear out, may be because subconsciously I knew I'd be resting.

I reached Marsa  Matrouh at around 14:00, found a cheap hotel, 20 pounds per night. El-Amir Hotel it's called. Had a good fish meal, 110 pounds! Did some shopping, water, milk, juice, and some cans to support me in the upcoming three days, which I pray to God to make them more bearable, I know He will. I feel loved and blessed, I feel like crying to be so lucky...

Photos link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sherif.halim/SiwaDay5#

Siwa - Day 4

Fourth day trip to Siwa 2nd of March, 2010 18:15

Total Distance 456.36km
Distance 100.25km
average speed 17.3km/h






 Excerpts from my diary:

I'm writing this the next day i was too tired to write or read, just ate and slept.
I had a rough start this morning, had a stupid fall while dragging the bicycle out of the camping spot. I'm safe thankfully. The road was terribly windy, I cycled almost at 10km/h the whole time. Glad I made it to 100km.
The strange thing is that the wind changed direction from west to noth, from hot to cold, in a merely few seconds. Nature is amazing.
I had a good night sleep and the tent was stacked out good

Photos link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sherif.halim/SiwaDay4#

Siwa - Day 3

Third day trip to Siwa 1st of March, 2010 16:44

Total Distance: 355.14km
Distance: 122.2km
average speed: 18.6km/h

Excerpts from my diary:
After three days you adapt to this kind of life, which I find very intriguing. Today I cycled about 95km in the northern coast road, way better than the Alex road the sea on your right, much less traffic. The weather is great too, with light wind.

Photos link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sherif.halim/SiwaDay3#

Siwa - Day 2

Second day trip to Siwa 28th of February, 2010 17:15

Total distance 230km
distance 100km

Excerpts from my diary:
Today the wind was against me all the time. It gets you down a bit, felt in the middle that i won't be able to go on. It started splashing a bit, hope it doesn't rain, i can't afford it by all means....

There are like 50 mosquitos on my tent, thank God they aren't inside.

I don't feel like I love this trip, not like the Jordan trip.

I'm still learning to stay present, guess it won't be easy for someone like me.

Photos link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sherif.halim/SiwaDay2#

Siwa - Day 1

First day trip to Siwa - 27th of February, 2010 14:35

distance: 128.82km
average speed: 20.1 km/h

Excerpts from my diary:

Reached Kafr El-Zayat, a city 100km away from Alexandria. I'm now sitting by the nile, amazing view, very simple concrete chairs. Haven't found a camping spot yet, it won't be easy it seems. Have a feeling of longing for something.
Bought a kilo of mandarins. Ate fetir (Egyptian pastry) in a famous place on the road, Borg El-Monoufia, I feel clear and purified. I love life...

Photos link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sherif.halim/SiwaDay1#

Back...

Got back yesterday morning from what has been an amazing trip... I've been gone for two weeks ( from the 27th of February, 2010 to the 12th of March, 2010 )

Cycled for 7 days with no breaks in between. I made it to Siwa on Friday, the 5th of March, 2010. Luckily I had the wind in my favor the last day, so I took advantage of it and saved myself one day of cycling (the original plan was 8 days)

Even though I didn't feel I was in love with this trip, unlike my first one, I began to love it as the days went by, realizing the different nature of the trip, mostly desert and howling wind against me. I'm quite proud of myself that I made it, specially that not many people has cycled to Siwa.

I've been very lucky to spend two days and one night in the Egyptian Western desert. I feel I have reached a new level of serenity and clamness.

The week that followed was mainly eating, the food there is amazing, drinking and partying. I had a lovely company of 5 of my friends (one of them I have just met on that trip) plus the lovely people of Siwa, their kindness and hospitality made this trip close to a dream.

I will post the pictures and excerpts from my dairy, hope I'd be able to deliver my feelings, emotions and scenary throughout the cycling days.

Marsa Matrouh

After five days of cycling against the high speed wind (less one day) i made it safely to Marsa Matrouh, which is a lovely quite city. I rented a room in a cheap hotel for 20pounds it's called El-Amir Hotel. Ate a lovely fish meal and had a good glass of tea in coffee shop.... I feel a bit drained, but I will go on tomorrow. Wish me luck please.... photos will be posted upon my arrival to Cairo...