3 days on a Felucca on the Nile

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Femember the African Queen, with Humphry Bogart and Katherine Hepburn? Well, this ride is a lot easier; floating along watching the scenery, drinking Egyptian Stella Beer--oh yes it is 110 degrees but we won't mention that.

Its Monday June 4 at 5:40 a.m. here in Egypt. We have just cast off for our final short trip down the Nile; traveling by felucca from Aswan to Luxor; well actually to Kum Ombo and then by another police escorted convoy to Luxor as we have probably sailed and floated about 20 miles in the three days we have been on the river.

It is about 70 degrees right now, having gone down to about 55 in the night. It will quickly warm up to over 100. This part of the Nile is populated by small farms for the most part. Our camping stops for lunch, dinner, and overnight have been next to these farming areas, and I am sure the purpose of the tour organizer is to keep us away from the more populated areas.

I expected more mosquitoes, and my body is sticky from applications of DEET, but their haven’t been many. Not eager to get stung here, not sure what kind of interesting diseases they carry. Don’t think malaria is a concern along this area.

The river is dead quiet right now, with all the travelers still in sleeping bags. About half an hour ago, the loudspeaker system finally stopped calling everyone to prayer.

These feluccas we are traveling on have been outfitted with a large lounging and sleeping platform, and a shade across the top. Although when it is over 100 and we are stopped, the shade is not very effective. The crew cooks meals for us in a small area forward of the sleeping platform. Our meals are pretty monotonous, usually rice, some sort of mystery meat, and a tomato sauce, vegetable stew. Tastes ok but is not particularly interesting fare.

I think we all hoped to see some of the famous Nile river crocodiles, but so far we haven’t, other in a glass acquarium in the Nubian house we visited a few days ago.

Once we get off the river, about noon today, we will travel to Luxor, visit more ancient temples, and pick up our expedition”truck”. We are camping out tonight, but our guide told us we also have the option of a hotel room, with shower and air conditioning, for an additional $4.00 per night. After 2 nights on the river, I know that will be my choice.

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Photos

The Alaska
Captin Farah at the steering oar

Tacking into the wind
It gets windy here on the Nile; hard to keep the beer from spilling into the chips

The dunes along the Nile
These dunes come right down to the water

Captin Farah, master sailor
Waking the crew up for an early start

The Expedition Truck
No windows, just velcro closed flaps on the sides, no air conditioning and seats 24 hardy souls

Comments

[olga wolosyn]

nile
Looks and sounds like a wondrous place. The pictures don't convey the heat but I believe you.

[Jennifer]

that is soooooooo cool! I hope that the crocs keep their distance!

[cuz Beth]

you're so the man!
Dear Bill, I can't believe the conditions in which you're traveling! I'm absolutely loving your blogs and appreciate your sharing w/me. The pics are amazing! Pls know continued prayers for safety and good health go w/you..... you need them! :) Love, Beth

[Robert Smyth]

It makes me want to go!
Bill, Having just been in Syria for two weeks in March the buildings and look all to familiar. The trip on the Nile sounds particularly great! Seeing things, like the Pyramids, that we've heard about for years is so different and makes it all real. Have a great rest of the trip. Inshallah Robert