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Published: November 16th 2007
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Hello everyone! Thanks for all the great comments!
Since writing last I got a train to Aswan and found another hotel for just a pound a night which was good. I then walked down the Nile and was hassled by near enough everyone (it was worse than in Luxor) - but the view over to the Elephantine island and the other bank (with sand dunes) made up for it. I finally got to the end of my stroll and met a nice Nubian hassler Abas (looked like a younger version of Bob Marley) who became a good friend over the next few days.
The next day I went across to the other side by ferry and walked along the desert which was lovely and peaceful. I then came back and Abas kindly offered to show me his village on Sehell Island. After a short car journey from town - he rowed across to the island. He gave me a guided tour and it seemed like everyone on the island was related to him!! The first mud hut I went into was his aunts house. She was very bubbly and we watched part of a Star Trek Film in Arabic
together. It was so surreal!!! I then finally went to his house and I met his brothers and sisters and his mother. A massive spread of food was then laid out - only to discover it was just for me! And everytime I stopped they would encourage me to eat more!! We had a lot of fun - especially when they tried to teach me arabic. Abas and me then rowed out to a little island and watched the sun set! It was great!
The next day I went to the Nubian museum which was really good and many people who worked there commented at how long I stayed for and I only stayed for 3 hours which is nothing for me!! I then got a ferry over to Elephantine Island and walked through the Nubian village (full of colourful mud huts) to the otherside of the island where I met some nice locals who showed me to a good viewpoint (see picture). When I came back, me and Abas went to Sehell island again but directly this time by a big boat from town. I sat on the roof of the boat as the sun set and it
was great to think I was getting this wonderful boat ride down the Nile for free! What a freebie! I met the family again and more relatives this time too!
I then visited Aswan dam and Lake Nasser (biggest artificial lake in the world) the next morning. I walked along the dam till a toll booth and decided not to pay to go further as I could see perfectly fine for free! I then got a train all the way to Luxor and they let me sit in 1st class for a while which was good.
On my first day back in Luxor I bumped into the hasslers again who all remembered me which was nice. I then headed to the Valley of the Kings again after much encouragement from Mum, Bob and Dad to part with the money and see the tombs. I managed to get a free lift there and only minutes after entering, I couldnt find my ticket!! I looked everywhere and it wasnt there. I then pleaded to the policeman and he took me round the tombs and explained to the guards which was great. And the tombs were much better than Id imagined.
They were so massive (long corridors and many compartments)and colourful. I then had a free lunch with a guard and policeman (bread, egg and tomatoes) and their friend trekked up the mountain with me and took me via a short cut to Hatsheput Temple! I have never been more scared in my entire life. Massive drops either side of the non existant path with no protection! But i safely made it to the temple only for it to be in a big shadow (hence no good pictures) so I decided just to look from the outside which was good enough for me! Two policeman came over and were in awe that I came from the Valley of the kings and that I was travelling alone so they were quite fun to talk to!
I am planning on leaving tommrow to Kharga Oasis but I am not hopeful as the bus timetable isnt very reliable.
Camel wise - I am hoping to get a good shot when I go through the Western Desert as no luck so far (without giving away money).
Scary Wildlife - Suprisingly enough, there hasn't been anything that horrible! Not even cockroaches yet. Just
mosquitos. Whilst in Aswan I got bitten on each eye lid within a space of 2 days, which made them really swollen, so I looked pretty rough.
And Bob - no distance can weaken the Bobby power!
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The Benjies
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Sand glorious sand
Hi Tanya - we have put the picture of Elephantine Island on our desktop. Wonderful pictures again and amazing stories. What sort of food are you eating? Sheeps eyes?? You are certainly a very adventurous young lady! Must take after your dad!!!! Love J and K x