Valley of the Kings

Should have been a very easy trip to the Valley. Little did we know we would have to push the taxi when it broke down on a bridge. The driver still had the gall to ask for baksheesh.

A model of the Valley of the Kings. There are over 40 tombs with some only being found recently. There are probably scores more yet to be uncovered.

 

In the Valley

Two very unsanctioned photos. Note Gareth on the look out.

Luxor

Luxor and Karnak Temples.

Luxor has a conveniently placed McDonalds overlooking Luxor Temple.  That is our excuse. Here we ran into some friends we made in Abu Simbel – it is easier to fend off the never ending procession of touts in a group of 4.

This guy wanted baksheesh for showing us down a dead end. He was unlucky.

 

McTime.

South of Cairo [2]

Temples and Boats

On day 3 of our Aswan adventure we boarded the MS Royal Regency for a 5 star Nile experience. On the way to Luxor we were to visit Kom Ombo and Edfu. Robyn developed a nasty head-cold after the early morning Abu Simbel adventure and did not accompany Tristan on these excursions.

Kom-Ombo

 

Edfu

 

 

The way it should be done…

 

When Good Boats Go Bad

Our table. Robyn’s chair laying on the left, Tristan’s on the right.

TV flew

 

The only way we were allowed to photograph the outside of the boat was as we were bussed away.

South of Cairo [1]

Aswan, Abu Simbel and Philae.

After Cairo and a surprisingly comfortable overnight sleeper train, Aswan seemed like the calmer, cleaner smaller brother.  After another tough day of haggling, fending off touts, and eventually succumbing to a skilful jewellery seller, we realised we still had a lot to learn.

The next day, however, after a 3:30am mini-bus south to Abu Simbel (40km north of the Sudanese border), we met the kindest and most genuine Egyptian man.  After getting us a (relatively) cheap 2 nights aboard a Nile cruise ship, he entertained with a fun early evening of Turkish coffee, Egyptian black tea, and sheesha in an alley far removed from the tourist strip.

What happened next made this day very memorable, as told by Robyn.

For an hour Tristan kept up with our Egyptian friend one-for-one sheesha, and finished with a stomach full of fish and chips, 3 sheesha, turkish coffee and more than enough Egyptian tea. Our Egyptian friend then offered to show us around the lesser visited parts of Aswan in what he described as “most modern car in Aswan”, a VW Passat.

5 minutes into the journey Tristan turned green, said “I feel sick” and at the same moment vomited all over the interior of the prized Passat. Dash board, windows, leather upholstery and our friends fancy suit were not spared the deluge.

Lucky this fellow has a good sense of humour – and a personal car cleaner.

 

Cats like to spend meal times with you.  In Aswan it is rare to find a restaurant without some resident felines.

 

Abu Simbel

 

Philae Temple/Island

   

 

Still friends post-vomit.

Reasons to Definitely Visit Cairo. (But only once)