Cruising Up the Nile

Just a few further thoughts on our cruise up the Nile. We visited Karnak Temple in Luxor soon to be designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Went from the boat by Horse and Carriage through the old streets built over a period of 200 years and full of antiquities.   Tricia’s horse farted the whole way and in the early morning heat was something too much to take. Pat of course took myriad photos and was then chased by little man shouting madly – Pat ignoring assuming more money required but no! he insisted in giving her second copy of photo. God knows what she paid for the first one!

The Temple was superb and we all understand a little more of the complexities of life 3000 years ago.

At Edfu Pat was adopted by Mustafa complete with business card of a hole in the wall shop. She requested photo – he obliged but Pat had promised to return later but later she avoided him by swapping hats with Aussie guy and hid under it so Mustafa would not recognise her. Mustafa last seen running frantically peering under hats. The temple by the way was stunning. Too hot for us anyway 38deg.

Then on  to Komombo  -and the Temple of Sobek – ABT!!!

Thankfully the rest of the day we blobbed on the top deck while the Nile drifted serenely past then prepared ourselves in detail for an Egyptian Meal – all dressed up in finery to look like Cleopatras and had a lot of fun boogying the night away– full moon shining on the Nile – Bliss!!

Next morning we arrived in Aswan – more of a civilised city – “no bloody hassles” visited the Temple of Isis rescued from the rising Nile waters and relocated to Philae Island – an absolute gem then some to the Nubian Museum – a must see and some to the Nubian Bazaar both worth visiting.

In the evening we sailed on a Felucca up the Nile – gorgeous reclining on cushions drinking Mint Tea and listening to the silence of the Nile.  In the evening we had the privilege of visiting a Nubian school on an island and saw first- hand how children are educated in the very poor part of the country.  We then had dinner with a local family on the roof of their very Spartan but very clean home – personal friends of our guide. The children were gorgeous of course and the family very welcoming to us. Poor but proud!

Back to the boat by water taxi – a lovely day in a very nice city. Some of us were ripped off big time by taxi driver.. You win some you lose some!

Up at 3..30am to travel to Abu Simbel – four gargantuan statues of Ramses 11 guarding the great temple.  One of our most memorable visits and we are in awe of the technology of the relocation of the temple from the edge of the Nile further up the cliff face not to mention the temple itself.

Then back to Aswan to pack and catch the overnight train back to Cairo arriving at 5.30 the next morning bleary-eyed and longing for a full night’s sleep.   We  were back in the luxury of our Pyramids hotel. To freshen up then back on the tourist track we visited the Old City – the city of the Dead (cemetery) where today thousands live amongst the graves for want of somewhere better to live followed by a visit to two mosques and then on to the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar where we again hassled and bartered with varying  degrees success – much fun – thousands of touts and not many tourists – again the calls of “Welcome to Egypt” . Dinner that night an hour’s drive to the Citadel to farewell some of the Aussies who have become our friends.  Local cuisine fab food – we were the only non-Egyptians there!

Luxury – sleep in this morning with 5.30am call and bussed through Sinai under the Suez Canal along the coast and across the desert  and desolate it is – Tanks, armed military and machine guns in abundance but army about as energetic as all Egyptians.  Arrived in Oasis St Catherines  at the base of Mt Sinai – 8 hours drive and two of us have left to climb the mountain while the rest of us sensibly recline drinking wine- contrary to popular belief  no problem buying -  by the pool.

Over and out for now from  the Sevenontour.