The Nile by Felucca

The two days aboard the felucca continued my trend of relaxing into Egypt. As it turned out, we had 9 on board for the first night and 7 for the second. They were such an easy going group (2 Aussies, 4 Americans, 1 Brit, 1 South African and an Argentinian) that the 2 days of relaxation and fun will undoubtedly be one of my highlights from Egypt.

A felucca is pretty basic boat. About 30 feet long, it has no engines, no running water and no toilets. Everybody sleeps on mattresses on the deck, which also doubles as afternoon lounging area and dinner table. The cooking is done on a small gas burner stove and the crew did amazingly well at turning out delicious meals.

We spent two glorious days sailing and drifting down the Nile; punctuated only by stops at the occasional beach for the obligatory swim or wander around one of the many villages that dot the banks. It was great to spend some more time just chatting, playing cards or reading my book (during the trip I finished the novel I was reading and traded with Joe, the English guy for the book he had just finished). I am beginning to think that, as a traveller, different people drop in to share your adventure for a reason, whether it be for meal, for a couple of days or for a couple of weeks, they provide an infinite number of perspectives from an infinite number of backgrounds. Some engender respect and admiration, and leave me wanting to know more; while others provide some entertainment and you are happy to wish them well when you part company. There were both on this trip (as there often is).

And so I have come to Luxor. The bus stopped off for visits to Kom Ombo and the magificently preserved Temple of Edfu on the way here. It's just fascinating to wander and gaze at the detail of the hierogliphs.

I have spent the afternoon finding my bearings around the town and it's likely that I will spend the next 5 nights here so I can relax and fully explore all this place has to offer (Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatcheput and Thebes, just to name a few). Right now however, I am off to relax by the rooftop pool at my hotel and watch the sun as it sets over the Nile and the Luxor Temple.

In case you were wondering, yes there are one or two tales to tell from the felucca trip. They are however, destined to enter travelling folklore through an oral history and not written account!