When our hot air balloon ride tumbled to an end, we went to the Valley of the Queens where we could not see much as most of the tombs are closed to the public. We drove on to an alabaster workshop and spent some time there to make some purchases. I bought a set of four small canopic jars. We then pressed on to the Al-Deir Al-Bahari Temple (the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut).
The Valley of the Kings was next! We were allowed to enter three tombs here but I cannot remember which ones they were. I also bought a separate ticket to enter King Tutankhamun's tomb. They were all awesome. No words can describe the feeling you get when you shuffle along the small passageways and take in all the inscriptions and carvings that cover every surface inside. You can even see the colour they used that have been preserved all these thousands of years. I had to hold back tears so often at just the beauty of it all.
After emerging from Tutankhamun's tomb, it took us a few moments to shake off the past and we headed to see the remains of the giant statues of Amenhotep at the Colossi of Memnon.
After a really big day out on the sites, we headed back to Luxor and took horse carriage rides around the city. We requested that we see the real local markets and not the touristy ones.
After dinner on the cruise ship, Gayle and I were the only ones up for a bit of fun and so we headed to the lounge and ordered a cocktail at the bar. We were horrified at the way the bar tender poured our drinks, so we just had to get behind the bar and show them how a real cocktail was made haha. Alot of fun was had and we ended up stealing the aprons from the staff and wearing them. Good times =P
Tuesday 14th November
We all had a 'free day' today but came together in the evening for dinner in the ship's restaurant. We were then ushered into the lounge where they had set up for 'casino night'. I got peckish and the staff were great to bring me some snacks!
Wednesday 15th November
Our ship cruised back into Aswan today and we disembarked to visit the temple at Kom Ombo. I was impressed (if a little creeped out) by the huge mummified crocodile/alligator we saw. We strolled past the market stalls set up outside the temple and then headed back to the ship for dinner.
Thursday 16th November
In the morning we went sailing on a felucca. When we got to our destination, the girls and I headed to a hotel (that some Agatha Christie novel was based on) and had a snack when we finally managed to find a cafe/restaurant. We later went to the train station to catch a sleeping train back to Cairo overnight.
Friday 17th November
We arrived in Cairo in the early morning and checked into the Ramses Hilton Hotel once again. Unfortunately, I did not get a room with the same views as I had before. We had a free day to exlore Cairo. Later at night we all met up for dinner at the Maharaja restaurant and tried a shishah downstairs in the hotel lobby afterwards. Being against smoking as I am, I didn't inhale but managed to taste a subtle apple flavour in our 'apple tobacco'.
Saturday 18th November
As an optional part of the tour, we travelled to Alexandria today. We visited the Roman theatre and the Kom El-Shuqafa monuments, where we were able to climb down a winding circular staircase to an underground tomb/catacombe. It was extremely creepy shuffling along the makeshift planks of wood and hoping that nothing would leap out of all the dark tombs that lined the walls. We then went to see the new Alexandria library and drove around the city. I saw a KFC on the beachside and could not resist getting some for lunch! I sat with Liz on the ocean wall to enjoy my indulgence that tasted as good as if I were back home. We asked to go to a beach so Abdou took us to this little tiny cove of sand and I rolled my jeans up and trudged into the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Then it was home time.
We returned to Cairo by train. Everyone was tired but I was full of energy, as usual! Gillian decided she would come out and have dinner with me and we tried this lovely restaurant in the hotel.
The next day, Hussein came to take me to the airport.
On reflection...
Egypt has always been one of those destinations in the world that I have wanted to go and see for myself. All the pictures and museum exhibits that travel the world just do not do it justice. The ancient history is beautiful and there really are no words to describe it once you are there. I am so so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to go. Looking back at my time there, it will be one of the most memorable moments of my life.
Saz
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