Temples and cruising on the Nile

Trip Start Feb 07, 2009
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Trip End Mar 19, 2009


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Flag of Egypt  , Nile River Valley,
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

We had a wakeup call around 6am so we could be up and ready to visit Kom Ombo temple at 6:45am. We had sailed there sometime early in the morning. This is a dual temple for both Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus (falcon god) and has some beautiful cravings, heiroglyphics and pillars, as well as a Nile metre (depending on the level of the Nile, people were charged taxes) and mummified crocodiles.. Around the temple's back walls are heiroglyphics depicting all sorts of surgical instruments used in those days. We came back on board the boat for breakfast and sat at our separate table but this time we helped ourselves from the buffet instead of having them serve us.

After that we had free time and either sat out on the pool deck (even though it was cold and windy) or lazed in our rooms. The boys went with Joe to meet the captain and see the engine room (one of the perks of owning the boat!) Kom Ombo temple
Kom Ombo temple
 . We had our first towel animals today as well - a flower in our rooms and 2 swans in Adrian and Ange's. Ange didn't want to use the towels and break it.

We arrived at Edfu around 12 and got horse carriages to the temple. Walked around with our guide George giving us information, then free time to wander ourselves and take photos. On the way out we had to go through the markets and we would have liked to stop and browse more but they really hassled us, especially Alanna who didn't like the attention. At one stage Alanna and I were walking and a swarm of about 8 men surrounded us, shoving things in our faces and trying to get us to buy. We saw some really nice bags but didn't know what was a good price for them so we decided just to look for them in Luxor. A carriage ride again back to the boat, which I think was waiting for us (again nice to be the boss!). Lunch, then free time again in the afternoon.

We arrived at the lock at Esna around 5pm and I went up to the top deck to watch.We went straight through the first one without stopping but then we had to wait at the 2nd one while several other boats came through ahead of us. Most of us were up on the top deck by now and I was so glad I had brought my warm jacket cause it was freezing. It was interesting to watch how they manouvered the boat into the lock - several of the crew running along the shore pulling the thick ropes as we travelled along Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo
 . Another boat came in behind us as well and when it was in they closed the gates behind us and let the water out and we dropped abour 6-8 metres. When we were at the right level we continued on.

We kept sailing, arriving in Luxor around 9pm as we were eating dinner. Because we'd had such a large dinner, Mike and I decided to go for a walk before bed. We ended up walking along the river front looking at all the boats trying to find the Melodie, our little boat from the last trip. We finally found it almost at the end, more than 30mins walk. We decided to go on board and see if there was anyone that we knew. By now it was about 11pm and I didn't even think they'd let us on the boat, but the guy at the door recognised us, so did the manager at the reception desk. We went upstairs and had tea with the security guy (made by the "grapefruit" guy) and he even called Mahil (Bob). So there was lots of hugging and kissing and back slapping when he arrived and realised it was us. We sat with them for about 40-45 mins before saying goodbye and walking back to our boat. We were hoping to take the kids to see them the following day, but the Melodie was leaving at 12 and we didn't get back in time.
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