During the course of the day , the sky clears . We pass a great number of oil refineries all situated on the ocean side to allow ships to be filled with oil . On the map we can see that oil pipes run from the desert straight to the coast . Only on rare occasions we actually see the ocean in between the buildings . To our right is desert ; sand as far as the eye can see . Amidst the vast desert-scape , there are large groups of camels , the ships of the desert , slowly strutting over the golden sand .
In the afternoon , we arrive in Ras Lanuf . We feel relieved to have found the compound and to have reached it without any problems . Even though we have not had any reason to feel afraid , the warnings about this part of the route were in the backs of our minds all day . At the entrance to the compound we register with the security guards , who escort us to the hotel . Peter stays with the motorbikes , while I go inside with Billy and Ross to ask about the rooms . Unlike all the other people we have met in Libya so far , the men behind the reception desk are not friendly at all . First they say the hotel is fully booked . Then it turns out they do have rooms , but as soon as we show some interest they keep increasing the price . It is obvious they do not want us to stay here .
We are just discussing whether we could make it to the next town before dark , when Peter walks in with a man he met outside . The man introduces himself as Fareed and asks : “ Problem ?” We tell about the high price of the rooms and explain that we are thinking of riding to the next town . He shakes his head . In broken English he invites us to stay with him instead . He lives only 20 minutes from the compound and has enough space to park our motorbikes . He reassures us that he is not some crazy guy by telling us that he has a wife and three small children . We decide to listen to our gut feelings and take him up on his offer . We leave the secured compound and follow Fareed on a sandy road straight into the desert . For a little while we only see sand and wonder whether we made the right decision , but then houses appear . He stops and points to some of them : “ My father , my cousin , my brother , all family . Is safe here , no problem !”
We just keep meeting freindly people !