We forgot it was Christmas Eve in our effort to get everything packed up and get to an ATM that works. As it turned out the first ATM we went to worked with the Maybank card I was using. It must have been the time difference that caused all the confusion last night with all the machines.

With money in hand I walked into Arab Bridge Maritime office only to be told that the fast ferry wasn’t running and I asked why but there was no response and I suggested if it was the weather to which the guy behind the counter agreed. But the weather was absolutely fine! Then he said that the slow ferry was running but leaving at 1400hrs which was better than midnight. I suppose beggars can’t be choosers and I agreed to take the slow ferry and to transfer to the fast ferry if it runs.

We took a drive to the border between Eiilat and Aqaba and wondered why there was so much hassle as to why we as Malaysians can’t go across to Isreal while everything looked rather normal and peaceful. It makes the politicians appear even nastier than my previous thoughts about them.

There was only one sign post towards the ferry terminal, and upon entering the port area it was any one’s guest as to which direction to head for. Fortunately, by the few words that the locals could understand and gestures we found our way to the terminal. Clearance for the export of Tuah was no hassle and it cost 5JD but the customs officer who was attending to me didn’t mention about the passenger departure tax nor did he ask how many persons in the car.

I knew that I had to pay the departure tax as there was a sign outside pointing in the direction from which I had just left. After going up and down the stairs a couple of times I discovered that it was the same customs officer, (only one was working), who issues the stamps for the departure tax. But then I had to wait for my turn as there was a queue. As I was waiting two young Dutch guy, Ron & TJ, approached me, asking about carnet and I advised them accordingly, as they didn’t have one and Egypt would not let any vehicle in without a carnet. Apparently he had been offered a carnet by a local office for USD350 and I told him to take it.

Once our passports were stamped it was time to go to the ferry for boarding and we didn’t have to wait too long before we were asked to drive in. In the meantime we met all sorts of foreign tourists holding a fast ferry tickets and wondered why? As it turned out they were running the fast ferry but not for vehicles. We found a nice corner in the lounge and waited and waited and waited. We even had lunch on board which didn’t amount to much but filling. Ron & TJ joined us as they managed to get the carnet on time followed by a Japanese traveler. We finally departed from Aqaba at 1640hrs.

Fortunately Adrian was entertained throughout the trip across to Nuweiba which we arrived at 2020hrs. As it was first in and last out arrangements we had to wait for our turn and didn’t get out from the ship until 2120hrs. By the time we got to the customs complex the Dutch guys had cleared immigration, while we had clearance while on board as we had visas for Egypt. It was fortunate for us as an officer was assigned to handle our customs processes, which included taking photocopies of our passport, inspection of goods, fire extinguishers, chassis number, 4x4 section (operating from a mattress), tax, insurance, issuance of number plates and finally the carnet! It took us exactly 2 hours at a cost of 1120EGP and then we were on or way to Dahab travelling in a convoy with Ron, TJ and their Japanese passenger.