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Published: March 24th 2007
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I'm going to Sudan!
My US$100 Sudan Visa.. Forgot to include my ferry tics in this picture.. Arrived in Aswan this morning.. I am taking the same train that i took overnight from Cairo - Luxor.. now i'm taking the next leg.. Train is supposed to leave at 7am, but arrived only at 830am.. well, not too bad already i guess... when i took the train to Luxor, it arrived only at 10am.. hah..
2nd class train ticket from Luxor to Aswan cost 16LE for students.. and about double that for adults.. it takes 3 hrs (by right).. and it took 3.5hrs to do that this morning.. Arrived in Aswan about 12 noon..
Checked out the Nubian Oasis Hotel, not too bad.. but not much amenities around.. managed to get the price down to 15LE/night.. but decided to try out the Hathor Hotel that german guy recommended.. walked pretty far.. finally arrived.. 35LE/night.. wah.. expensive.. but Hathor rooms have a great view of the Nile, a rooftop pool if you want to swim, and personal bathroom.. haha.. luxury.. ok, tired, need to settle soon and buy ferry ticket, why not.. will enjoy the Nile today.. 35LE it is.. signed up for the Abu Simbel extended tour at the Hotel.. 55LE.. leaves 330am the next day
Station Scene at Luxor Station
While waiting for my train to Aswan for Abu Simbel.. reasonable price.. ok..
Getting to Abu Simbel, which is pretty far away.. is difficult by bus, cos the first bus leaves only at 7am, and that leaves not much time to see the other sights.. so usually you'll have to sign up for the tours at your hotel.. and so said LP Egypt...
was already 1235pm by the time i checked in and all.. need to rush to the Nile River Valley Transport office to buy the tickets for the Monday ferry to Wadi Halfa, Sudan before it closes at 1pm.. The office is located behind the Tourist Police Office, same building.. 1st class ticket costs 383.50LE and 2nd class ticket costs 236.50. For 2nd class, you have to buy at 10LE meal ticket as well, which u can redeem on the ferry. Ferry takes about 24hrs to reach Wadi Halfa.
The 2005 LP Egypt book i borrowed from a Beijing couple on the train says that there is a Deck Class ticket - 164.50LE.. but i enquired at the office and the officer said no, 2nd class is the cheapest ticket you can get.. You also need to have your Sudan Visa to
Room at Hathor Hotel
35LE room.. got phone some more.. hehe.. buy your ticket..
To take the ferry, you need to take the train from Aswan station to the High Dam Station.. you'll be able to find your way to the dock after you exit the station..
After that.. just walked around town.. went back to Hathor Hotel to dip in the pool and get my 35LE worth.. went in.. brrrr... the water is cold! but shiok.. macam the cold pool in spa.. the water is actually not very clean.. Hathor Hotel seemed like a grand hotel back in its hay days.. but now it's pretty rundown and not well-maintained.. water not clean, what the heck.. swim a bit and look at the Nile lah.. swam a few strokes.. look at the Nile.. swim swim swim.. saw a couple of dead lizards on the floor of the pool.. makes you wonder how long they've been there.. haha.. ok, time to get up and have a good shower..
after shower. came out in search of a cheap internet cafe.. the usual price here is 10LE/hr.. expensive! but talked to some locals.. they brought me to a 5LE/hr cafe, and told the cafe boss i'm his good friend from overseas..
Rooftop Pool
Overlooking the Nile... so charge him local rate.. hehe.. yay..
ok.. will probably do another update tomorrow after i come back from Abu Simbel.. will check into a cheaper hotel nearer to the net cafe and the train station first..
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Bud
non-member comment
Dad will be happy ...
... that you have checked into a hotel with attached toilet and swimming pool, kekeke. Any ph0tos?