New Windsor Hotel Luxor

... because he did so much for us. Once that was done we went downstairs and Kelvin finally came up with something clever for the envelope which I annoyingly can't remember now. We then went to the docks and caught a boat over to the West Bank and we went to the restaurant in the Nile Valley Hotel. It was a beautiful setting because we were on the roof and the tables were lit with candles and it was beautiful looking over at the lights of the East ...

... in Egypt and quite vast, with hundreds of pylons larger than any in the country, a huge sacred pool, and more. It can easily take a whole day to wander this site, which unfortunately is going through a bit of construction so one segment was closed. There was a very odd tourist policeman wandering around taking people in the off limit areas to see some large colossus statues, for tip of course. I gave him about 5 pounds after getting some great photos ...

... the Valley of the Kings we were taken to an Alabaster factory. The process of carving the alabaster was explained and demonstrated and then we thankfully entered the air-conditioned showroom. The array of items available was impressive and we also learnt about the intricacies of smoking a water pipe. Some of the staff appeared more interested in watching the historic visit of President Obama to Cairo which was being shown live on the television ...

... about 11 to 17. This is their first time out of Cameroon in an entire year. It's also the longest either one has been away from their post in 9 months. While sometimes we have talked about the lack of luxury, for them everything is a luxury.

Ashley is an undergrad at UCLA. She just finished her junior year studying abroad in Ghana for her International Development major.

Brianna is from Alberta, Canada. She has been a travel agent for 2 years.

Luxor, Egypt jimmyandkristen

... led by their local handlers. Now, the downside, this village now relies greatly on tourists, and like much of Egypt, everyone is looking to separate you from your money. Shops, individuals on the streets, beggars, and almost everyone, man or child, is hounding you to either buy something or give them something. They have so little and we have so much. This is pervasive everywhere we have travelled here. It's almost to the point of "You have looked at me, now pay me". Not quite ...

... they cooked the bread and justifiably proud of the end results. The women next door came in to help cook it. The Nubians are a very merry and beautiful people. The children haver the most beautiful manners. I wwent on my own to the Luxor temple, I think I am just about templed out. To night we catch the night train to Cairo about 22.00, I do hope it will be a lot cooler than this. Speak to you soon FrankieX

... the Nile but it was by no means anywhere near the worst either. We knew this would be the case as we hadn't paid nearly as much as we thought we were going to have too. We chose to go on a cruise ship over a felucca (a traditional sail boat) as we wanted the comfort of a regular bed and toilet which was something the felucca couldn't provide! We heard a bell ringing and presumed it was lunch time! What a life! At lunch we got a taster to what the next few days ...

... for concerts off to the side of the temple – very pretty with a view of the water.

Our last night on the ship they made a cake for us and had us come up and dance with them while the staff all sang a song of congratulations. Then we had to cut the cake and eat from the same piece without touching the fork – it was funny and sweet. We really enjoyed the cruise. It was a great way to see so many of the sights while still feeling like you had a place to call "home".