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.