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Personal
Experience
Pick a Topic of interest from those below and explore
this Destination!
Port Anchorage
- The official anchorage is a large area at the back of the port facility. You are well protected from winds and
sea. There is a soft mud bottom with good holding. Call
Massawa Port Control before entering the port and they
will direct you to either come along side the seawall to check in or
proceed to the anchorage and then check in by dingy.
You may also be able to tie up along the
seawall at the port, if there is space. But you may have to vie for
space with the small freighters and traders bringing produce, cars and
other items into the port.
The dingy landing is along the seawall at
the port, usually where the Customs boat is moored. Sometimes you
can tie up on the Custom's boat, but don't leave it overnight as the boat
may need to go out. If you tie up behind the boat, you are sheltered
somewhat from the waves created by wind and boat movement. It
is about a 10 minute ride in from the anchorage and is inside the port
facility, so you will need your passport or shore pass to get through the
gate into town. |
Yacht Facilitator or
Cruiser's Friend - Mike -
(PH: 55 24 67) usually can be found riding his bike along the waterfront, inside
the port area or at one of the restaurants in that area. He
is dressed in western clothes and will probably make himself know
to you. He will exchange money and take your laundry to have
done and will arrange almost anything you want. He is personable and honest and will help you
with everything you need. |
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Grocery Stores
- Several small grocery stores/markets in town that sell Beer!
including Heinken.
- Bella Vista -
near the middle of town
- Ship's Chandlery -
near middle of town
Bakeries - a couple of
bakeries with flat bread. Visit early in the morning or afternoon
for the freshest bread, hot out of the oven. Ask Mike for
directions on how to get to the bakery. It is too complicated to
explain here.
Internet Access - There is a good
internet/book shop right next to the water desalination
distribution shop.
Diesel -
- Available at the fisherman's cooperative petrol
station on the way to/from the anchorage area. See Mike to
have him organize getting fuel as he arranges for you to be
"part of the co-op" and, of course, takes a small
commission. He will tell you the price per litre beforehand.
- Shell station - along the road at the back
(west end) of the anchorage. We also found transmission fluid
here.
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Water - Potable
filtered drinking
water is available at a shop along the waterfront area. The
cost was reasonable, but it was a long way to carry the containers back to
your dingy inside the port gates. Laundry -
See Mike. The laundry will come back really clean, but the
detergents used are very hard on the cloth. Best not to put
anything really nice in the laundry. His price was very fair.
Postal Services -Near the Customs building.
Banks/ATMs - Several banks along the
waterfront, but NO ATMs
Propane Gas Canister Refill - See Mike
Money Exchange - Mike
will exchange money for local currency. His rate is better than
the bank. He was honest and did not try to cheat or run a scam.
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Buses -Local and long
distance buses at the far end of the waterfront area. There are
several buses that go to Asmara. |
Taxis -
Many taxis and minivans available for hire. They will even
take you to Asmara. You must negotiate price before getting in.
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Chandleries - None |
See Mike
regarding most yacht services you may need. During the year we
were there, several people had engine problems and had parts
shipped in. |
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The following are services or places visited and recommended by Bob and
Judi. We can only say that our experience was a good one and we hope that
you will also have a favorable experience.
Restaurants - Several
nice restaurants with seafood, beer and wine. They
have a limited selection of dry goods, eggs and some fruit and veggies.
- Restaurant Eritrea -
near the middle of town
- Kidane Zeru -
near the open-air cinema
- Dolphin Bar -
near the open-air cinema overlooking the water.
More
Information
- Lonely Planet Guide - Eritrea or
Middle East
- Red Sea Pilot 2nd edition
2002, Stephan Davies and
Elaine Morgan
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Things to See and Do-
-
Visit
Asmara - A
must do while in Massawa is to take a visit to Asmara, the capital of
Eritrea. It is up in the mountains about a 3-4 hour trip from
Massawa and is a wonderfully cosmopolitan, Italian-looking town.
Best of all, are the cool temperatures, and the Italian pasteries,
pastas and coffees.
- Visit the fascinating town
of Keren, a town about a 2 hour drive NW of Asmara.
Try to go on Mondays to see the camel and livestock market.
-
We hired Solomon
(via Mike) to drive us to Asmara and Keren in his taxi. Solomon is a good,
safe driver who speaks very good English. He knows where tourist attractions and hotels are in Asmara.
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This Page Last Updated: 02 May 2006
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