Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Ride Tales, Trip Reports and Stories > Ride Tales
Lake Tana Ferry - Ethiopia Lake Tana Ferry - Ethiopia
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Ride Tales Post your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 4 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 72
Lake Tana Ferry - Ethiopia
My subconscious slowly registers an annoying sound disrupting my dream. I try to ignore it but without success. That’s when I recognize the sound as the alarm of my cheap cell phone. Unable to open my eyes or lift my face off the pillow, I somehow manage to flop my right hand onto the nightstand and start patting around to locate the offending instrument, almost knocking the lamp over. I eventually manage to find the phone and hit several buttons at random on the dial pad. It works.
I slowly open the eye that’s not buried in the pillow and notice that it’s still dark outside. Then I remembered that I only allowed an hour to get to the ferry. Wide awake now, I scramble out of bed. For the briefest of moments I considered skipping my usual morning shower, but then remembered that this would be my last shower for the next two days.
It’s forty minutes later and still dark when I start the motorbike. The sound of the enjin cuts through the early morning silence and I cringe, wondering how many of the other hotel guests now hate me. I feel bad, but with my luggage loaded, the bike is just too heavy and bulky to push down the path to the parking lot. I almost expect to see lights being turned on and people yelling obscenities at me, like they do in the movies, but it doesn’t happen and I quickly ride off without warming up the enjin as I usually do.
The ferry crowds have already arrived by the time I got to the pier. It was a sea of black faces. I suspected that most of them spent the night there, sleeping wherever they could find a spot. Fortunately I stick out like a sore thumb and the ‘loadmaster’ immediately noticed me as I pulled up behind the crowd of pedestrians. Having purchased the ticket for myself and the motorbike yesterday, he was expecting me. I also recognized him as the guy who showed me around. He gestured for me to follow him, and in typical African fashion, he started yelling at the crowd of people and bullying a path open towards the ferry. He was a big guy and although I could hear a few grumbles, nobody challenged his authority. It flashed through my mind that I was starting on the wrong foot with a group of people that I have to share cramped quarters with for the next two days, but there was nothing I could do except nod greetings and mumble an excuse to everybody that made eye contact.
When we finally reached the ramp of the ferry, it was a shock. When I inspected the ferry yesterday, there was an open cargo deck that could hold at least six cars, and I had quietly planned to tuck my motorbike into the front corner to get it out of harm’s way. Today, the cargo deck was loaded sky high with what seems like a million large bags of maize, and loaded on top of that about twenty papyrus canoes. The only possible area to park my motorbike was occupied by a donkey. The ferry was now also so low in the water that the ramp was no longer level. It was declining at an alarming angle. The ‘loadmaster’ didn’t seem to consider any of this as a problem and beckoned me to ride onto the ferry and park right alongside the donkey. I suspiciously looked at the wet metal surface of the ramp. Knowing that braking while on the ramp would certainly put the bike into a slide, I wouldn’t be able to use my brakes until I reached the donkey’s small area, and there I would only have about three meters to bring the bike to a complete stop. I couldn’t help but think how entertaining it would be for the people who just got bullied out of the way if I had to crash. With a sigh I launched the motorbike onto the ramp, charged down towards the donkey and managed to stop right against the mountain of maize bags. I was very happy with my early-morning riding skills and pleased that the bike, donkey and I were still intact. I smiled at the donkey and glanced over my shoulder to take in the appreciative looks of the crowd. There were none. Nobody even noticed. Cynically I thought that nobody would have missed it had I crashed though. I removed my helmet, patted the donkey’s head while warning him to be careful around my motorbike and made my way up to the already crowded passenger deck. It didn’t escape my attention that I was the only faranji on board.
Although the ferry was overcrowded, the donkey and my motorbike had to be moved onto the docks for loading and unloading cargo on three separate occasions, and that the bedbugs at the ‘best’ hotel at the overnight stop in Konzola got the better of me, it was an amazing two days on Lake Tana.
__________________
Jo’burg to Cairo (And a bit further): KLR 650
Southern Africa (And still going strong): XT660Z Yamaha
Last edited by Newbie; 6 Apr 2011 at 20:41. Reason: Font Size
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Seeking companion car for Lake Turkana Route South from Ethiopia to Kenya via Omerate Grolly Freekle Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 11 Feb 2011 07:44
Has anyone been on a ferry on Lake Malawi houbie Trip Transport 0 5 Mar 2010 15:23
Anyone crossed from Ethiopia to Kenya via Lake Turkana recently? enfieldtravels sub-Saharan Africa 3 3 May 2007 15:23
Lake Nasser ferry prices Mr W 4 wheel Overland Travel 2 20 Jul 2005 04:30
Kenya to Ethiopia via Lake Turkana?? jim sub-Saharan Africa 0 20 Jun 2004 21:28

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:19.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top