Egypt to Israel border crossing (Taba)
So ... we crossed the Taba border a few days ago and it was so uneventful that I almost forgot, I promised to post about it ;-)
We left on the last day of our visa and motorcycle registration validity and they did not even bat an eye. not even the slightest remark save for one who checked our passports upon entering the border post.
Entering requires a fee of 2LE pp, nothing for the bikes. There's a huge sign that states all the fees.
Then our bags and boxes got thorougly checked (for free) by two guys (but there's an x-ray machine for the bags).
Customs wanted to charge 51LE per bike but I told him that the sign said 21LE. He was incredulous and showed me receipts of other people who had all paid 51LE - but nonetheless relented and only charged 21LE per bike.
He also discovered that one stamp was missing when they extended our stay on the carnets, but he just called someone in Cairo and everything was fine. I hadn't even realised that this stamp was missing, but Egyptians love their stamps. So better check twice if you got all the stamps on all the papers ;-)
After that we went to the traffic police, they - once more - took our chassis numbers directly off the bikes, filled in a form and we gave back our number plates and the temporary registrations.We were charged 10,-LE for this service, not sure if correctly. (Friends of ours had crossed two weeks earlier and they were also charged 10LE, but they were on one bike - so I did not complain and paid).
Then passport check in the main building and off we went.
To the second very thorough search of our bikes and belongings at the Israeli border. But very professional, friendly and free of charge. Takes some time, though.
Free camping at the beach right after the border. It was evening anyways ;-)
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