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A lesson in Egyptian inefficiency - 3-400 passengers all allowed to board the ferry on time but then we sat in the harbour for 2 hours while passengers tried to seek out the one official charged with checking visas before the ship was allowed to leave.
The females of the group became the main attraction on a boat full of men, although a reciprocal staring contest was easily won. Even more bizarre was the chaos at the Egyptian customs with cars and buses being emptied that were more like the Tardis. We soon realized that a bribe in the form of a large bag of peanuts goes a long way to speeding up the process.
Dahab A very relaxed small pretty town on the Red Sea Sinai coast. We had three days here to relax, soak up the sun, snorkel and swim as well as indulge in some good food and drink. Our hotel rooms, Fawlty Towers take note, came with on or none of either, water or electricity. Two of the group found that having both was not an advantage as showers came with electro-shock therapy. The snorkeling was good, the Blue Hole, a natural hollow
in the coral more than 60m deep is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. Our group was a mix of both with the divers being visible in the crystal clear water. Our time in Dahab came to an end with a romantic meal by the sea and Champagne on a secluded part of the beach.
Mt Sinai Mount Sinai is 2100m above sea level and climbed by many to view the sunrise, or for some because of it’s religious significance. We climbed during the evening when the air had cooled, some walked whilst others rode camels. All however had to climb the final 750 steps to the top. Some of the more crazy members slept on the roof of the only building at the top. Although the roof finished in a sheer drop, there were obviously no sleep-walkers or fidgets in the group as all were accounted for in the morning. The other members of the group including ourselves slept on a higher platform. We were woken by chanting priests and many tourists crowded around our sleeping bags, not one for those who are not good at mornings. The sunrise was very pretty. The walk down involved
the 750 steps plus the 3,000 steps of repentance (We think after this we are in credit J ).
Cairo Our drive to Cairo meant we traveled underneath the Suez Canal. Here we lost some members of our group who had now become friends (Goodbye to Nat, Tam, Deb & Anton) and pick up some new passengers. Dinner was KFC but with a difference, it was run by staff who are all deaf. The best service we have ever had in a KFC.
Our stay in Cairo included a visit to the three great Pyramids of Giza and we were able to go inside one of them. Lunch was lovely with one of the best views of the Sphynx. It’s very strange to see these great monuments surrounded by an expanding city.
Western Desert A long drive took us into the Black Desert where we found a spot to camp. The sand is covered by a black crust. We slept under the stars as the night was warm and dry. Continuing through the desert we then drove through the White Desert. Again sand covered with a white crust dotted with sea-shells with some fantastic rock
formations. At 45C in the shade most retreated to view the landscape from any available shelter. Another night in the desert, but this time sleeping on a roof-top. Still 35C at 10pm so a hot sticky night for all. Some confusion also with one of the group (Janet) telling her husband (Henry) to pack up as it was time to go at 4am. Not until they were almost packed did they realize it was earlier than they thought.
Luxor After several days in the desert our accommodation was a sight for sore eyes as the first thing we all noticed was the pool. Heat, water and alcohol always a daft mix with some of the other residents insistent on jumping into a shallow pool from two floors up. All of this came to a halt after one of the Oasis truck drivers broke one ankle and shattered the other. Late afternoon and early evening sat chatting with the group in the pool was welcome relief from the heat.
At Luxor we visited Karnac and Luxor temples. Both dominating the sky-line and magnificent to see. Much is still intact even down to the colours used on the columns.
The entrance to Karnac was lined with two rows of Sphynx statues which run underneath the streets of the modern city all the way to the entrance of Luxor temple. They are still excavating these ruins.
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