We are marking time in Egypt (Dahab) while we look at options to get to Greece or Turkey or where-ever. Not such a bad place to be. Visas and bike permits were easy to extend and cheap.

However, be in no doubt .. Egyptian officials are seriously corrupt, inefficient or both. We rode our motorcycles from Cape Town and I had a good chat with a group of befriended custom officials in both Cairo and Aswan, (as I am prone to having been a forensic investigator and intelligence operative for 3 decades) and discovered that they are running a scam.This was supported by looking around the seized vehicle compound which was full cars , 4x4s and trucks that had been confiscate and would be auctioned ... the proceeds going to the chosen few in the "circle". I was asked by customs if I'd like to purchase Hashish too. Some people, hey.

Anyway, my assessment is that there is a risk in Egypt and you either have to be a bit savvy and live on your wits or avoid it. The large number of confiscated German registered vehicles would suggest that they do neither.

I recommend the new ferry route on the Ro-Ro passenger M/F AZZURRA from ... Italy...Sicily.. Malta..and to Tripoli and then using a decent agent at the Libya/Egypt border who will grease the appropriate palms .... its a facilitation payment so doesn't contravene the US FCPA. No more than US$20

Dont believe the hippy types... they have probably accepted the customs kind offer and are a serious risk to proper travellers... make sure your carne is accurate as they are looking for an excuse to seize vehicle and you'll have to pay the customs duty, + insurance + Egyptian plates = 580 Egyptian pounds for a motorcycle (510 for customs alone).

Enjoy

Thanks Rupertu for the info, but can you explain the scam please.
Details would be good.
I do have nightmares of my car ending up in the dusty compound full of mercedes and hummers at Cairo airport. These cars are rightfully confiscated by customs after being temporarily imported by foreigners then abandoned.

James

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JT http://leeandjames2013.blogspot.hk/

Saw this in the ME forum. Maybe another option is on the horizon? Don't know if it's driver accompanied or not.

Transport: Mersin-Alexandria ro-ro services to begin soon - Trasport - ANSAMED.info

Thanks for the updated info all. I will keep an eye on the Ro Ro service from Turkey, but no indication yet if this actually will be Ro Pax. Also, although crossing via Libya would be great I think things will turn for the bad first as people without work, nothing to do with their time and weapons lying around can only end up in some kind of criminal enterprise. Unless the NTC can pull of a miracle in 3 months time, not only for my sake but also for the people of Libya


Rupertu, this is a bit worrying. So just to confirm as it was not very clear form you post... are you saying that you should not fall into a trap where a customs official “let you go” without paying all the official fees/plates only to have you vehicle confiscated later on – or did I get in wrong completely? :confused1:

-H