Day 27 - Khartoum

Another early start for the sunrise (and the sand criss crossed a trillion times during the night by something) and then a tour around the pyramids which date largely from approx 2000 years ago. Unfortunately, an Italian came here in the 1830s and largely smashed them up looking for treasure. What he did find is now in Berlin and Munich, and the Sudanese have been left with the stone remnants (although there has been some restoration). Originally, there were apparently some 100+ of these pyramids but now now only about 30 can really be classed as such.

Then it was off to Khartoum but first a real "off road" trek for about some 50 miles to see two more temples at Naqa from soon after AD - one with definite Roman features (see Roman arch).

We saw a family drawing water from a well in a goatskin bag, so of course had to have a good look. Fascinating - the distance from the donkeys to the well is the depth of the shaft, and the grooves made by the rope show for how many years they have been doing this.

We almost got stuck in this off road trek (Dragoman conditions say that in such situations everyone has to get out and push / dig etc) but fortunately another expert bit of driving by Anki extricated us before we had to offer any help.

Finally, we arrived in Khartoum itself and camped right on the banks of the Blue Nile in the very heart of the city. Muggins had by this time developed a streaming cold (proof if ever it was needed that you do not have to "be cold" to "get a cold") so retreated to bed to die, while the others went out searching for something to eat.