The Nile: Highway of the Pharoahs

Wednesday September 29

The Nile is the best way to travel in comfort and style while touring the ancient sites of Egypt. The pharoahs used this route and still today it is a busy highway for tour boats and local craft. Today we sailed most of the day and enjoyed the relaxation as we watched the intriguing sights of modern day life on the river. There are always fishermen in pairs in their boats, either with nets or poles. Sometimes they fish with poles or they they cast nets and slap the water to make the fish rise. Animals come to the water to cool off and drink and families play on the banks. The village houses crowd the banks at times. There are miles of farm land and long stretches where the dusty desert encroaches. I always keep my eye open for signs of tombs cut into the hills that are sometimes quite close to the shore.

In the morning the Mashi Mashi group gathered in the lounge for a discussion led by Abdu, about modern Egypt. We learned about day to day life, family traditions religion, health care, education and a whole lot more. After the talk, we were taken on a tour of the bridge, where we met the captain, who guides the ship down the river. At times it is quite shallow and there are many sandbanks, so the skill of an experienced captain and crew is a great advantage. Next we visited the engine room, (very noisy and clean) and the kitchen where preparations for lunch were underway.

Once again we passed through Esna lock and then on to Luxor which would be our final port.

Some of the group took the opportunity to see the Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple (which they reported was pretty good - better than the one at the pyramids). Peter and I decided to visit an Internet cafe to see if we could catch up on email and post something on the blog. It was only a two minute walk from the boat, but after 20 minutes of slooooooow internet connection - we called it quits. I am sure there is nothing waiting in the "real world" that can't wait for our return. Meantime, back to shipboard life and our last night on board.