Despite not going out on the trip to Edfu, I had to be up early for breakfast, which they only serve for an hour when there is a trip. As the other guests got ready to leave, I knew I would have two hours of peace. So, I'm sitting on the sun deck (which is rather chilly) and writing this.
The canopies that are normally are up to shade people from the sun are folded down overnight. I got up to the top of the boat steps only to find I had to go on hands and knees to get to a lounger!
However, sitting here, all I can hear is the noise of the boat engines and the water. There are distant sounds of car horns and the occasional clip clip of the caleche horse hooves on the roads. There really is no-one about and it's lovely.
It's becoming warmer now so might just have to go down to my cabin and change!
I spent most of the morning in comparative peace. I was completely alone and I listened to my audio book. I went for a wander into the bar so I could read my emails and as I sat down I saw there was a woman with her small son on the other side. She was teaching him maths and then correcting his English. As they came over I complimented her on her son, as he was only about five and very quick to learn.
We chatted for a while, she and her husband are both Indian but live in Singapore. They appear to be doing the 'great tour' of Egypt. We chatted for a while then she took her son back to their cabin. He was beautifully behaved, in sharp contrast to the other children. She was looking after him as he was a little unwell whilst her husband went to Edfu. I told her about Kom Ombo being close to the boat when we stop, so they may all go together and see that.
The remaining guests slowly returned and the screaming announced the arrival of the other children. I pushed my earphones well in, shut my eyes and got on with my book. When I next opened my eyes I was amazed to see that we had left Edfu! The boat is so smooth that you would not know you were moving, except that the scenery is!
I spent a very pleasant time until lunch watching the views on the river and bank. I was waiting to see Gebel el Silsila, the an ancient rock quarry.
As lunch drew closer and there was no sign of it I checked on Google maps to pin point my location. I worked out if I went down when lunch started, I might just make it back on the top deck in time to see it. It worked out perfectly!
This is where the rock was quarried and taken to the various temples
Later on there was the most beautiful dahabiya sailing down in front of us. As we were going faster we soon passed it.
A little later I saw something perculiar up ahead in the water. They seemed to be evenly spaced columns. As we sailed,closer I saw that they are making another bridge across the Nile, just before Kom Ombo.
This should make life easier for some people.
Arrived at Kom Ombo at 4.30. There were at least ten boats there already. I only went because it was in front of me but I wasted my time really.
The Good:
It's great to see so many people spending their money in Egypt again. This is the most people I have ever seen at a sight since 2010. That can only be for the good of the country.
The Bad:
All the groups, with their own tour guides just block any opportunity to look at anything. As one group moves on from a particular point of interest, another takes its place. They only think about themselves and their clients. I literally had to stand my ground to take one of my few photos. It's as though you shouldn't be there without being part of a group.
I'd forgotten how deep some of the carvings are. This one had a depth of about 10 cms.
I love this offering table and the next one is what I call the racing car!
I was the first one back to the boat. It only took me thirty minutes, but I found it so frustrating that I couldn't stand it any longer. I came back to the boat, got a can of Fanta and I'm sitting on the top deck watching people being bombarded by the sellers in the little souk.
I decided to transfer my photos to the net book I've brought with me as a backup. I can go through and edit/delete some then. Up to now I have taken 391 photos on my camera and goodness know what I've taken on my iPhone and iPad.
It's getting cooler now as the sun goes down. It's just going behind the trees on the West Bank.
A few ships are just moving off down to Aswan, they're all sounding their various loud horns. In fact, there's so many going at once it looks like the start of a Grand Prix!
I went back to my cabin to watch the end of last night's film and then get ready for dinner. It's Egyptian night so dressing up time for the others.
I got down the stairs to the restaurant to the sound of drums and loud 'singing'. They were going at it full belt and I was glad to finish and go. On the way out I saw the family. Every time the little boy goes around don't the restaurant he just taps me, it's become quite a game! He's still not well, poor mite and the dinner time is far too late for children but he's managing well under the circumstances.
Well, now I've finished this I'm going to watch yet another film. Thank goodness for Sky Go!
No comments:
Post a Comment