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Philae Temple
Walk like an Egyptian. We had found a good deal on a 5* hotel on in Aswan, the ‘Pyramisa Isis Island Resort’ and after our plane and taxi we had to travel to the island by launch. Suddenly it was paradise; 10.00pm but it was still, quiet and cooling breezes, enough to make us soon forget the hot bustle of Cairo.
Next morning we were up late but in the afternoon set off by taxi for the Philae Temple. The tour guide had quoted £14 each but we found an old taxi at £5.50 return. Then we were supposed to pay £6 each for the boat to Philae which is now on an island. Luckily we saw a tour group of Poles who had hired their own boat and we followed them on. We tried speaking a few words of Polish like Lek Welesa and Abramhovic? But when we got off we found we had been sussed by their guide who walked over to us and said we could go back with them if we were back at 5.00pm, so we did. Philae again is a wonderful temple with the now familiar Egyptian stone carvings of gods and offerings.
Next day we spent
the day in Aswan and Terry took all the hassle in the souk as good banter, giving plenty back. Unfortunately, it was quite continuous and had started to get Michelle down. She was happy when we took a horse and trap back to our launch for the free trip back to our resort.
We had explored possibilities of how to get to Luxor and although we could not find any bargain deals we found two places on a Nile cruise; two days all inclusive for £100 each. Friday morning we were whisked off in a taxi to the 5* ‘Queen of Hansa’ and away we went. Strange world, as we had always been told how good boat cruises are, but a new experience for us. However, we were immediately pleased by a king sized bed and 22” LCD TV. Almost all the passengers on the cruise were on tours and knew each other. Therefore, we only spoke to a French couple and the friendly crew. Each to their own but cruising is not our scene. That evening we stopped for two hours to see the Kom Ombo temple which was OK. We were told that if we wanted to
see the famous Edfu temple we would have to have breakfast next morning at 6.30am to leave at 7.00am. We did, but many didn’t. It was well worth it, although we were now getting a bit fed up of the same carvings. We arrived in Luxor at 5.00pm and immediately set off to see the Luxor Temple. We slept on the boat that night but by now most passengers had left and we were almost alone. All along the shore in both Aswan and Luxor are unused boats, feluccas, launches and cruise boats. Terrorism and the economic downturn has certainly hit the tourist industry here.
Next morning we left the boat for our hotel, which was luckily about 100 meters away! They let us have our room at once so we unpacked and set off for the Karnak Temple. Terry had always said it was the most magnificent man made structure he had ever seen and after 3 hot exhausting hours, Michelle agreed. It is simply astounding.
The hassle in Luxor is maybe not nasty but it is ceaseless. 20 metres from the gates of the hotel they are already shouting Taxi, Taxi, Carriage, Carriage! This continues all along
the road and is the worst we have encountered. The souk is of course just as bad and it is difficult to buy as looking at an item immediately has them getting it down and chasing you down the road.
Next day we agreed a price of 60p with a motor boat owner to cross the Nile so off we set for the Valley of the Kings. More and more money, as it is £10 to see three tombs and a further £4 to see the temple of Hatshepsut. However they were remarkable again as everything seems to be in Egypt.
One day of rest, then we paid £45 to go in a car of a young couple who wanted to go to the cinema in Hurghada. This was good for us as we were going to go to Hurghada to get the ferry to Sharm-el-Sheikh and for them as it was their only chance to see a film, albeit a 4 hour drive.
We had a hotel booked in Hurghada which was nice but Hurghada was not for us. Totally modern and commercial, as our guide book says, if you are not diving or going to
Aswan Souk (2)
Enjoying a glass of karkadey. nightclubs, what are you doing in Hurghada? This is about right. One night in Hurghada and off to Sharm then on to our last 12 days at Nuweiba for Michelle’s sunbathing.
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chris
non-member comment
I hope you are m emorising everything as you two are fulfilling my lifetime wish......Enjoy yourselves sunbathing. See you soon. love chris.XX