Nov 18, 2009 - Felucca Cruise on the Nile

We sailed out of Aswan in the early afternoon and therefore had plenty of daylight to enjoy the scenery. ... We were 8 ppl on the felucca and 2 crew, who were responsible for getting us to Kom Ombo as well as preparing all of our meals …with all that said it was a very relaxing 2 days! Day one we drank and played some drinking games with the our felucca mates until we anchored at a Nubian house for dinner.We sailed out of Aswan in the early afternoon and therefore had plenty of daylight to enjoy the scenery. ... We were 8 ppl on the felucca and 2 crew, who were responsible for getting us to Kom Ombo as well as preparing all of our meals …with all that said it was a very relaxing 2 days! Day one we drank and played some drinking games with the our felucca mates until we anchored at a Nubian house for dinner....

Oct 30, 2009 - Aswan: Abu Simbel & Nile Cruise Embarkation

Up at 2am this morning for a 3am bus ride to Abu Simbel - 3 hours drive away on Lake Nasser. As if our six hour drive was not enough we stopped on the way back to view the High Dam (Aswan Dam) built by Egypt and Russia in the late 60’s and then a visit to a granite quarry where we saw the large unfinished Obelisk still in place as it cracked while they were cutting it out. ... We joined our ship this afternoon to start our Nile Cruise.Up at 2am this morning for a 3am bus ride to Abu Simbel - 3 hours drive away on Lake Nasser. As if our six hour drive was not enough we stopped on the way back to view the High Dam (Aswan Dam) built by Egypt and Russia in the late 60’s and then a visit to a granite quarry where we saw the large unfinished Obelisk still in place as it cracked while they were cutting it out. ... We joined our ship this afternoon to start our Nile Cruise....

Oct 29, 2009 - Aswan: Monastery of San Simeon

Overnight Gerry got the Mummy’s curse so it became a rest day for us.Overnight Gerry got the Mummy’s curse so it became a rest day for us....

Sep 24, 2009 - MAP UPDATE

We've been here for two days and we leave up the nile on a falluca for two days to luxor in one hour.We've been here for two days and we leave up the nile on a falluca for two days to luxor in one hour....

Aug 16, 2009 - Aswan Egypt

We arrived in Aswan at 9am today. ... The population of Aswan is 200,000 so just a smidgen smaller than Cairo. ... The late arvo we took fluka (small boat) to Aswan botanical gardens for an hour. ...

Aug 10, 2009 - Aswan

We arrived in Aswan after a VERY long night in a sleeper train from Cairo. ... The cabin was comfy except for the fact that the AC broke around 4 in the morning and the windows on the train did not open.We arrived in Aswan after a VERY long night in a sleeper train from Cairo. ... The cabin was comfy except for the fact that the AC broke around 4 in the morning and the windows on the train did not open....

Jun 17, 2009 - Felucca cruise on the Nile

Oh bliss! I have just spent the most relaxing day and night, chilling out on a felucca, a traditional Egyptian boat, as we sailed from Aswan to Luxor. ... The felucca is very simple, just a sailing boat with a deck and cloth shade over the top, but so low that you have to either sit down or lie back the entire time… trust me, I wasn’t complaining! I spent the entire time either reading or playing cards with my tour group, and of course eating the delicious food prepared for us by our boat captain.Oh bliss! I have just spent the most relaxing day and night, chilling out on a felucca, a traditional Egyptian boat, as we sailed from Aswan to Luxor. ... The felucca is very simple, just a sailing boat with a deck and cloth shade over the top, but so low that you have to either sit down or lie back the entire time… trust me, I wasn’t complaining! I spent the entire time either reading or playing cards with my tour group, and of course eating the delicious food prepared for us by our boat captain....

Jun 16, 2009 - Abu Simbel

An optional activity I could undertake in Aswan was a trip out to Abu Simbel, a world heritage site built by Ramese II, and is one of the highlights of Egypt. ... Luckily the rest of my tour group were also keen on visiting Abu Simbel, as it cost quite a bit extra to get out there as its a 3 hour drive south of Aswan, and the minivans used to transport the tourists are escorted by armed vehicles. ... This is because there are no policeman between Aswan and the Sudanese border, so it can be a bit of a lawless part of town. ... 30am, when we leave Aswan in the dark. ...

Jun 15, 2009 - Amazing Aswan

Upon arriving at Aswan, we checked into one of the nicest hotels I've stayed in for a really long time, it was great! After settling in we headed off on a boat tour of the Nile, cruising past some ancient mosques and egyptian writing carved into the rocks on various Islands, and welcoming aboard a Nubian elder who told us a little bit about the region. ... The Nubian people are very dark, and originally came from Sudan, although they've been in Egypt for over 1500 years.Upon arriving at Aswan, we checked into one of the nicest hotels I've stayed in for a really long time, it was great! After settling in we headed off on a boat tour of the Nile, cruising past some ancient mosques and egyptian writing carved into the rocks on various Islands, and welcoming aboard a Nubian elder who told us a little bit about the region. ... The Nubian people are very dark, and originally came from Sudan, although they've been in Egypt for over 1500 years....

Jun 8, 2009 - Aswan

After a great night’s sleep in clean comfort (and with earplugs securely in place) the sleeper train arrived at Aswan about 10am. ... There is NO recorded average rainfall in Aswan for any month of the year so most people don’t have roofing over their homes, or maybe just over the bedroom. ... It was so unusual to go into a home that not only had no roof, but instead of flooring it was just desert sand.After a great night’s sleep in clean comfort (and with earplugs securely in place) the sleeper train arrived at Aswan about 10am. ... There is NO recorded average rainfall in Aswan for any month of the year so most people don’t have roofing over their homes, or maybe just over the bedroom. ... It was so unusual to go into a home that not only had no roof, but instead of flooring it was just desert sand....

Jun 4, 2009 - Egypt uncovered

Hi all, Thanks for the messages- great to hear we have had some rain, although that means we will have plenty of weeds in our yard! We have a few more days of our Egypt tour to go, but thought we had better give you an update while we have the chance.Hi all, Thanks for the messages- great to hear we have had some rain, although that means we will have plenty of weeds in our yard! We have a few more days of our Egypt tour to go, but thought we had better give you an update while we have the chance....

Jun 1, 2009 - Arrived Safely

Hello everybody! Im here in Aswan, southern Egypt. ... went to sleep right away, had a good 12 hour sleep! Today in Aswan its about 40 degrees, so we are doing our sightseeing this afternoon at 4 to avoid the heat of the day. ... our hotel has a pool so me and ashley are going suntaninng swimming after this, then ready for a camel ride, felucca ride and a traditional dinner.Hello everybody! Im here in Aswan, southern Egypt. ... went to sleep right away, had a good 12 hour sleep! Today in Aswan its about 40 degrees, so we are doing our sightseeing this afternoon at 4 to avoid the heat of the day. ... our hotel has a pool so me and ashley are going suntaninng swimming after this, then ready for a camel ride, felucca ride and a traditional dinner....