Shady Goings On

This second week I’m going to block together, because we did so much less than in Luxor, yes there was less to do and we weren’t feeling so good.
The week started with a convoy like I’ve never seen, a massive trail into the desert made of coaches, minivans and security patrol vans, it was really organised chaos. I can’t believe they have two of these every day! When we arrived at the new hotel it was quite a shock: the hotel was more of a complex or village than anything else, everything is catered for and available on site including scuba diving, horse riding, quad biking and even a sauna, squash courts and chess! The complex had six pools and about ten restaurants and bars. I’d never stayed anywhere like this before.
The food was the best ever but despite this we had terrible stomach problems early in the week and this stayed with us till the end, we can only put it down to the quite different climate to Luxor. Here the air is quite cooler and more humid, it was just as easy to burn though as the breeze took the edge of the sun so that you didn’t realise just how strong it was. We didn’t let these things bother us too much though.
Most days we spent our time by the pool or beach chilling out. We booked a few activities, namely quad biking, horse riding (not for me though), a jeep safari and a beach camel ride. All of these were great fun and come highly recommended! I particulary enjoyed the quads and I think Alison would have difficulty choosing a favourite between the horses and camel, we have photos though so make your own mind up!
Before long we where heading back on the convoy into Luxor, to catch the return flight home. It was a real shame to be leaving. We’ll visit again one day for sure, but who knows when, we have many other places to visit yet!

Well we got the pictures from the camera onto CD, thanks to the nice rep, so we’ve been taking plenty of photos. You’ll just have to wait a while to see them!

Day 5

Friday was a very hot day that was made hotter by an excursion to the west bank of the Nile, across from Luxor. Over there you will find the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens where the Kings and Queens of Egypt have been buried many years ago and infact it was hotter inside than out! The tombs are very brightly decorated and were filled with all kinds of treasures such as statues, furniture, boats and chests. We saw 3 Kings tombs and the tomb of Tutankhumun (this is seperate), and 3 Queens tombs also. No photos. This is a shame because they would be fantastic, but photography is not allowed.
The rate was not bad there and back, the taxi was 80LE, and the driver was very polite even though his car was knackered (everyone drives 20 year old Peugeots) and he crashed as well.
Later we went down the pool and onto Luxor museum (more later) and for some food.

Day 6

We checked out Karnak today, it’s a massive site that each of the Pharos have dedicated to themselves and the gods, each one adding to what was there before until a fanastic palace is what remains. We do have photos of this, and some good ones too.
We also saw this palace at night, an event called ‘Karnak light and sound’, we went though the rep earlier in the week and booked it for about £30 each. It’s exactly the same as the daytime exhibition, except each part is lit up and a voice-over tells the story about it. We got some really good shots of this, once I worked out the night time function on the camera.
Here’s some more info on Karnak.

Day 7

west bank temples - Temple of Hatshepsut, Ramesseum, Medinet Habu,
mummyfication museum
jamboree restaurant
pack for the next hotel

Day 1
Arrived in Luxor just after sunset, and it was absolutley baking! The airport was manic, with tour operators waving clipboards and shouting, organised chaos. This was our first flavour of Egypt, and has been pretty much the same since. Everyone wants tipping for everything, we nearly ran out of money before we even got to the hotel! I was dammed if we were going to give 50LE (Egyptian pounds) to some kid for putting our bags on the roof of the bus!
The hotel is lovely, everyone is nice and friendly and there is air con, and we have a double bed It’s fairly central to town too, but this means you get hassled as soon as you step outside with shouts of ‘Taxi?’.

Day 2
Had a lie in after the long flight over, and woke up to a beautiful scene over the Nile from our balcony. Breakfast was a typical continental breakfast apart from some hot additions such as meatballs and crepes. We were then scooted off for the meeting with the rep to introduce themselves and sell us what they can, we immediatley booked the balloon ride and Falahs Tent (a Faluca ride on the Nile and, a meat buffet with entertainment).
We spent the rest of daylight hours by the pool. Oh and I beat Alison at chess I’m sure she’ll beat me right back though.
Felahs Tent turned out to be quite good fun, the ride up the Nile was fanastic with a great sunset. The food was also great, with free wine, and the entertainment was funny. We had some local dancing followed by a snake charmer and belly dancer, then a spinning bloke with three skirts. We have pictures.

Day 3
Last night was quite a late one so we had another lie in and late breakfast: about 8:30. Because of the heat everyone seems to get up for 5:00am and be back indoors before the midday sun from 11:00 till 3:00, then be back out later. Apart from us. Instead we looked round Luxor Temple, a massive temple only discovered recently. I don’t know how they missed it! This took us up till about 1:30 and the heat drove us back to the pool for lunch.
We did mean to go out for dinner, and brave the local cuisine but there was xXx on the movie channel so we ended up going to the restaurant in the hotel and eating there. Sad eh?

Day 4
A disappointment to start the day today, as we were up for 4:30 to be picked up to go on our balloon ride booked earlier in the week. However, because of the wind (i.e. there isn’t any) it was cancelled. We’ll try and arrange it for tomorrow, but we’ll have to juggle a bit.
We made our way down to Rainbow Internet past many street traders etc and here we are now. The time is running out, and we’ll rejoin our ‘friend’ outside who will try take us somewhere or sell us something. We hope to upload the camera photos before we leave though, so we have more room, and so you can see them.

Keep you posted…

Who cares about happy Mondays? Not me! Friday was a very happy day for me as it was my wedding day! Forgive me for not writing much here but beleive me when I say I’ve had a busy few days. In the morning I’m going with my wife Alison on our honeymoon to Egypt, a holiday we are both looking forward to. Bye for now!

As is traditional, I went out for a few beers tonight with my dad, brother, mate and A’s dad. Went for food at a ‘Giant’ pub and beleive me they don’t mess around. Had a good night. Plenty of laughs had. Absolutley knackered now though! It must be time for bed. Night night…

At least I think so. I’ve not been able to post all day, or make my template changes I’d planned on. Oh well…