The taxi didn't come until late, so we only left around 10am, which didn't really set the day up well, but never mind. We went and got the tickets then straight to the workmens village. I got another 'limpet' immediately I entered the site. The usual craftsment selling their painted plaques, which are really quite good. I told him I wouldn't look at them until the end of the trip and he actually did leave me alone then.
I went down to the village and walked around the outside wall, where of course, my limpet joined me again. The wanted silly amounts of money for each of his things. Then when I said he hadn't shown me anything that I liked, he brought out, from one of his many pockets, tiny little carvings. They were of poor quality and he was trying to say they were pharaonic. Looking at them I doubted it but to be sure I told him I couldn't possibly think of buying anything like that! His attitude suddenly changed and he said that he had been joking. I wasn't sure so,tried to get away from him but he stuck like glue.
Eventually, as I reached the Ptolomaic temple and another man came over, I think he panicked. He brought out from under his galabiya a beautiful little plaque, which was clearly new. I really liked this, but wasn't prepared to pay what he wanted. I eventually got it for a fair price, but I think that was only because the other man wanted to sell to me as well!
I ended up at the car park and phoned my driver to come for me and the man stayed with me the whole time. He was determined to sell me more, but I wouldn't budge and was glad to escape in the end.
I left and went to the tombs of the Nobles, Amenemopet, Menna and Nakht. They are beautiful tombs and my small torch came in very handy here.
There was great deal of dig activity in the area, people everywhere and small tents and canopies over the hillside.
As I walked back to the car I could hear the noise of a motorbike the one came over the rise. He went past me, waving. I was perplexed and turned to see who he was. It was the man from Malkata who asked me about glass! He apparently works at various sites. He introduced me to the site Director, a Russian called Sergei and his two colleagues from the Bulgarian Institute. We chatted for a short time before they got back to work. That was a bit of a surprise, to say the least!
I continued on my walk back to the car and then I was joined by a young man that I have seen on past visits. He's the grandson of the old man who has the large shop on the route up to the tomb of Ramose. I don't really like the shop, although his work is superb, it's just that he's got a wifi credit card machine!
Anyway, this time the young man had a small box of items. I think he was trying to imply they were pharaonic, but they looked poor quality, so I don't think they were. If they were real then I was the last person he should be trying to sell them to!
I can't tell you how many times I've been offered things, AND by people I know.
I then moved over to see the Khokha tombs.
The first two are taken through glass, so not very clear.
There are three on the ticket but the man only showed me two. Then he pointed to an area of rock within the hole that we were in. On top was a large piece of thin metal. This covered a hole under which he said there was a mummy. After the precarious act of mounting the stone I peered in. Nothing, not anything that I could see!
I was not impressed and climbed the steps up and out, to wait for my driver to come back. I sat under the rest area canopy to wait and have drink of water. Then I received a text. It was from the friends I had met on the plane. They wanted to meet up later at Luxor Temple then go to Sofra for dinner.
That made my mind up. I was hot and tired so, even though I have a ticket for the Ramessum, I will save it for the weekend. I went back to the hotel to have some lunch, breakfast biscuits and water then freshened up.
I went over the river on the public ferry and walked around by the horses ..they are looking considerably better, so here's one photo just for you Jo!
I met my friends at the temple at 4pm.
We walked around the temple with me pointing out a few things for them. We also walked along the avenue of the sphinxes then left, wandering over to Cafe Latte for a drink.
Whilst we were sitting there, enjoying The illuminated Luxor temple, the light went out! Immediately a generator kicked in but everywhere else was in darkness. After about 15mins the temple was back but not the roads.
We made our way to Sofra for dinner, walking through the dark streets with fortunately my trusty little torch. We came out onto a bustling main road, where the lights were, crossing it was a little difficult, as it was so busy.
We entered the traditional Egyptian restaurant and had a very nice meal, which was very reasonably priced too.
At the end of a lovely evening I said goodbye to my new friends and went to the ferry. Whilst sitting on the boat I checked my emails, only to find an urgent one.
My boat for tomorrow was cancelled!
However, I was booked on another one, more expensive but they would honour the deal I made.
I went back to the hotel and packed, wondering what the boat would be like!!!
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