Jordan Egypt March 2023

[Askance]

However before leaving Aswan our guide arranged a side trip as a special request for some of us to have high tea at the old Cataract Hotel, famous as the place where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile. Still a very classy place


Onto the Movenpick Royal Lily for a three night cruise. Welcome drinks a plenty. The staff looked after us very well.

 

[VPS]

Felucca ride, complete with singing crew. Personally i'd have preferred a silent cruise to enjoy the peace of sailing on the river but i'm a grump, I admit it.

I resemble that remark

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Next morning up at 0500 to drive three and a half hours thru the Desert to Abu Simbel, and then back to Aswan to board the Nile cruise to Luxor
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The Aswan McDonalds
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[ellen10]

Loving all your photos and hearing about your trip.

 

[kpc]

Our Feluca needed a tow by a motorboat as there was not enough wind to go anywhere....so much for a peaceful relaxing sail on the Nile!

 

[VPS]

@Pushka Are you agreeing that I'm a grumpy old woman or that you are too

I resemble that remark

 

[Pushka]

@Pushka Are you agreeing that I'm a grumpy old woman or that you are too

I agreed with your post . Well, grumpy comes with age so yes to both.

 

[Askance]

After sailing thru the night we woke up at Kom Ombo to visit the temple and the nearby crocodile museum. These were the only crocodiles we saw near the Nile


This is actually a picture taken for me by one of the army guards at this site. Travelling as a single woman while in my travel group i experienced two sorts of reactions: either men wouldnt speak to me (unless trying to sell me something) or they were overly friendly and referred to me as habibi.


Back to the boat sailing onto Edfu the housekeeping men had been busy cleaning rooms and creating a different towel sculpture each day. Thats my spare hat its wearing

 

[Askance]

Edfu


Passing thru the lock at Esna. We are sitting waiting while the boats in the next part of the lock sink down as their water level drops

 

[Askance]

Karnak and Luxor temples. Karnak had a lot of restoration work underway which was interesting to see. Stop at a papyrus shop for a demo and chance to buy souvenirs.

 

[kpc]

I think I have nearly identical photos of Egypt as you My understanding is that Egyptian men should not be calling a random woman habibi!..only close female relatives / wife etc

 

[Askance]

My understanding Egyptian men should not be calling a random woman habibie!

Certainly not when she's old enough to be their grandmother

 

[Askance]

Finally Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
First Queen Hapshetsut's tomb. Note the instagrammer on the left, posing dramatically.



Looking towards her tomb. It feels massive while youre close and then you look at the valley walls behind for perspective.





Quick stop at an alabaster workshop, explaining why we should buy their wares and not the cheap made in China plaster figurines from vendors overrunning every tourist site.


Visitor centre with a model of the Valley of the Kings, showing the various tomb locations

It was at this point that i cursed my camera which had malfunctioned one day one of the trip. Phone cameras are not gonna take great shots in low light


This panel caught my eye, a combination of beheading your enemies and riding snakes. Living it up Egyptian style, i guess.

 

[kpc]

Visiting the various tombs in the Valley of the Kings was the highlight of our trip to Egypt, and going inside the Great Pyramid of Giza was a close 2nd

 

[Askance]

The standard tourist ticket for the valley allowed entry to three tombs of your choosing, but you paid extra to go in others. I choose to pay 100 Egyptian Pounds to go into Ramesses V and VI, as well and it was well worth it as the tomb had fewer visitors, making it easier to appreciate your surroundings. King Tutankhamen's tomb was jammed with tourists, and rather claustrophic.


Walking towards the Valley

And the Steigenburger Hotel, Luxor. Gimme five mins and ill be in that pool Great views over the Nile.



Flying back to Cairo, EgyptAir's business class offering. Do not eat unless you want gastro in the arvo like me


Back at the Marriott Cairo.
Unfortunately i spent the rest of the trip hugging my bed and popping Gastrostop but im told the farewell dinner was great.

 

[Askance]

Visiting the various tombs in the Valley of the Kings was the highlight of our trip to Egypt, and going inside the Great Pyramid of Giza was a close 2nd

Agreed, im glad it was one of the last things i did it felt like a slow buildup to the Valley as a climax

 

[Askance]

In summary for those contemplating Egypt and or Jordan
- take your gastrostop pills, sunscreen and hat.
- you will have a trip to remember, they are both amazing in their own way
- build a thick skin against vendors. You say no to one and the guy next in line hits you with his sales spiel. Not a fan.
- dont assume you'll get a lunch break. Acquire food at breakfast
- ride a camel, ride a donkey, do all the side trips you fancy. Not all are guaranteed as we found out when the weather wasnt suitable for the morning hot air balloon ride in Luxor.

And when you get home, plan the next holiday. Thanks for viewing

 

[Pushka]

In summary for those contemplating Egypt and or Jordan
- take your gastrostop pills, sunscreen and hat.
- you will have a trip to remember, they are both amazing in their own way
- build a thick skin against vendors. You say no to one and the guy next in line hits you with his sales spiel. Not a fan.
- dont assume you'll get a lunch break. Acquire food at breakfast
- ride a camel, ride a donkey, do all the side trips you fancy. Not all are guaranteed as we found out when the weather wasnt suitable for the morning hot air balloon ride in Luxor.

And when you get home, plan the next holiday. Thanks for viewing

On the list for next shopping trip. Gastro stop. We will likely go vegetarian whenever there's a risk. Seems to reduce the issues. On another cruise someone had issues with undercooked chicken off the ship. Grabbing lunch from the ship was also recommended by the Israeli tour guide.

 

[VPS]

Thanks for a great TR. Brings back memory memories of Egypt especially the gastro but there were lots of other great memories

 

[kpc]

Not all are guaranteed as we found out when the weather wasnt suitable for the morning hot air balloon ride in Luxor.

Ours was cancelled the 2 consecutive days we were in Luxor, not because of windy conditions, but because the Queen of Belgium and her daughter were visiting Luxor

 

[kpc]

On the list for next shopping trip. Gastro stop. We will likely go vegetarian whenever there's a risk. Seems to reduce the issues. On another cruise someone had issues with undercooked chicken off the ship. Grabbing lunch from the ship was also recommended by the Israeli tour guide

In summary for those contemplating Egypt and or Jordan
- take your gastrostop pills, sunscreen and hat.

We must have been lucky to avoid food poisoning as we ate some dodgy looking food, esp. at the Luxor markets! We also brushed our teeth in Egypt with bottled water to be on the safe side!