Days 11-12 : Aswan/Luxor - up the Nile
Getting up at 3:30 meant we arrived in Aswan early Tuesday morning. First stop the High Dam (as opposed to the Old Dam ) Pretty big Lake Nasser. Lots of antiquities, temples to various Gods, and a whole civilisation ( the Nubians) got moved and weren’t too chuffed about it.
Carried on sightseeing (well, you’ve got to really havn’t you) by sailing on a felucca which is a strange open boat with a bloody great sail and unusual boom which only swings half way across until it smashes into the mast, at which point half the sail carries on and somehow you “go about”. Anyway we took one to Kitcheners Island in the middle of the Nile which was given to the great Lord Horatio, who was among other things commander of the Egyptian Army - don’t quite know why but there it is. Apparently he had a passion for gardens so devoted the whole island to be a Botanical Gardens. Now there’s not many people know that.
It’s a lot quieter up here ( that’s UP because it’s Upper Egypt, which is Upper because its higher than Lower Egypt i.e. up river) You still get pestered of course ” ‘Ello ‘ello. Wey you from? You like my shop? I do special price. Fife Egyptian pouns. Three Pouns. OK 2 for 1 poun……” I usually try and ignore them but if one persists then a curt “Shukran” usually works. It means somewhere between thank you and “piss off”
Actually most of the guys are harmless enough and I suppose have to earn a crust. We’re usually only talking about 30-50 Egyptian Pounds which is less than a fiver, so for Mohammed’s sake pay the man Abdul.
April 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Cheers mike it all sounds real greatot not sure about all those nubiens or maybe I am getting mixed up///// I really envy you this trip down the Nil I must do it one day. When Tute came to London many manyyears ago I took my son very young at the time and picked him up in my arms sohe could see the mask told him to suck it all in This has been an expression in the family eversince when we see or experience .something wonderful Take care and suck it all in love v
April 12th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Hi Mike, great stuff, what a fantastic experience.
- I feel a book coming on - then maybe a movie ! Look forward to reading more on your travels. Give my Indian programmer a kick if you’re near Kerala.
Take care. Martin
April 12th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Hi Mike, glad you are getting into the swing of the travelling life. The cities don`t sound too tranquil, good job we have booked into a traffic free (supposedly) area of Athens. Great you were able to share the last week with Simon. Now for the really exciting bit, the Indian experience. Hope you have got your train spotters book tucked somewhere in your anorak! Love, Kate.
April 12th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Just got home and hope that you too have arrived at your destination on time and without any complications………….I am thinking of you and whether your hotel in the Fort area is Ok are the locals as active in selling you stuff that you dont want as they were in Egypt.
Our little ‘Greeter’ Mai stayed with me until about 2.30, we pursuaded the airport security chaps to let me through early as the place where they had said I had to wait until 5.00 was just like a waiting room before you go into the airport.very noisy, very smelly.
Anyway all was well.
Look forward to reading the next installment.
Simon
April 12th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Good to hear of your travels and we both sat here green with envy for you setting sail upn the Nile heading for Luxor, as It’s cold and raining here! You’ll be glad to know. Is it Port out Starboard home now . All the best P.
and J.
April 13th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Mike - It’s clear you now into a world that is very different to the “summer holiday” travel experiences that most of us are familiar with - much more excitement and something new round every corner - fanatatic!! Your prose style is informative and amusing - Simon is right - you should write a book. We are all looking forward to the next chapter!!