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Sahara
Day 84: Sirte to Tripoli
Camel delivery service stops to offer assistance.
As we set off for another long day's drive up the coast I ask Abdul if there's any serious alternative to driving or taking a camel. Wouldn't a railway help? Indeed, he says, and Colonel Gaddafi is very keen on railways, but there aren't any in Libya.The national airline has been badly hit by the continuing American embargo on aircraft spares. Motor car spares are equally hard to find, causing many unnecessary road deaths. The Colonel has tried to deal with this by 'inspiring' a new design of five-seater vehicle. With glare-free headlights, non-exploding tyres, high-impact bumpers and all round air-bag protection, it would be the world's safest car. It's to be called The Rocket of the Libyan Jamahiriya. Now that's a proper name for a car. Well, better than Cherry anyway. Nigel is losing his patience with the camera. Not his, but the Libyan government's. I actually heard him this morning going on about how he hates being followed by a camera. Well now he knows what it's like. I ask Farsi, the cameraman, what they are going to do with all this footage of us entering and leaving hotels. He seems quite aggrieved by my question.
'There's only six hours.'
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PALIN'S GUIDES
- Series: Sahara
- Day: 84
- Country/sea: Libya
- Place: Sirte
- Book page no: 223
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