Saturday, March 15, 2008

How to Catch the Ferry to Egypt:

1. Take a taxi from downtown Aqaba to ferry terminal (negotiate before you get in or the price will be overpriced and you won't have the time to argue or you will miss the boat)

2. Walk 200 meters through the gates from the road towards the offices.

3. Find departure tax window downstairs. Note: You may have to wait for the government official to return from the mosque. None of the other milling officials can help you. If the ferry is leaving soon you should pray too.

4. Take departure tax stamp upstairs to ticketing office.

5. Get redirected from ticketing office to customs. Leave Jordan...officially, that is.

6. Back track to ticket office and reserve ticket.

7. Take receipt of reservation across the hall to the "bank." Pay for ticket and change money to Egyptian pounds. Get receipt.

8. Take payment receipt back across the hall to ticketing office. Get ticket.

9. Pass immigration and proceed downstairs to wait for bus to ferry. Present ticket and passport at all requests.

10. Board ferry after having your passport and ticket checked...again.

11. Find seat in least offensive smelling area. Avoid direct contact with men and women with body odor.

12. While crossing the Gulf of Aqaba follow ferry official into 1st class cabin to get passport stamped. Leave passport with the official and take "receipt" for collection (scratch paper with #1 written on it).

13. Deboard ferry providing "receipt" to government official. Flirt with head police officer to get to the front of the line.

14. Board bus to immigration with your baggage.

15. Walk towards sign saying "Arrivals." Oooops...not yet, talk to man who tells you to find the "bank" where you must buy a visa and then visit another unnamed office to collect your passport. Follow his vague directions.

16. Arrive at unnamed office...oooops. Joke around with a little Arabic and smile and they will keep your bag while you follow their more precise directions to the "bank."

17. Find bank. Pay $15 USD. Get flashy visa sticker.

18. Take flashy visa sticker to unnamed office where your passport is being heald. Give to friendly officials to insert and sign.

19. Proceed, again, to "Arrivals."

20. Get passport checked, bags scanned and exit warehouse building into Egypt.

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