Another Gift from the Gods
We landed back in Aswan and transferred directly to the port to board our cruise. As we approached the cruise ship to board, we noticed the other people on the deck and how they were dressed. We were still in our jeans and hiking shoes, with small backpacks and luggage, sweaty and a bit dusty. The people already on the boat seemed to be mostly retired people and high class. We were very noticeably underdressed and stood out. After all, we're just clomping around Abu Simbel for hours. Well, it was a good excuse anyway.
After we boarded, we were asked to step into the lounge. The manager had requested to have a word with us. I thought, oh boy here we go. We sat down at a table, and a waitress asked for our cocktail order, the manager appeared and introduced himself and said, "We would like to upgrade your two standard cabins to our suite with one attached standard cabin, if that is acceptable to the three of you. I think you'll find our suite very comfortable and spacious with a living room, private bedroom, ensuite and balconies. The standard cabin will be accessible from the suite by way of a common interior door. We agreed, then he said, "Please relax, take your time and enjoy your cocktails. We will take care of the luggage. When you are ready we'll show you to the suite." We paid a fraction of the cost for two standard cabins and now have been given an upgrade to the suite! What a great way to start our seven-day cruise on the Nile.
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The Nile was so Blue!
Oberoi
Philae
Nile
Cruiser
2009
We boarded the most luxurious cruiser on the Nile. Mahagony paneling and woodwork throughout added to the unparalleled luxury. Spacious luxury cabins & suites with uninterrupted views of the Nile, personalized service and exquisite cuisine made our six-night Nile experience truly memorable. Site excursions were made on luxury 12-passenger touring coaches.
We took a walk around the port area to find a felucca boat that would take us out on the Nile for sunset before dinner.
A felucca is a traditional single-masted
sailboat and the primary transportation on the Nile. Its ancient form still graces the river as it has done since the time of the Pharaohs. After sunset, the breeze subsides and there is little sailing, so the boat simply sits in a quiet cove where everyone can enjoy the lights on the banks and the river traffic.
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The felucca rarely has any form of engine and relies entirely on the breeze and the river current. Egypt is blessed with a predominant southerly wind that pushes the sailboats upriver and allows them to return on the downstream current. There are cushions along the circumference and a fixed table in the middle. A felucca ride is perfect for catching the sunset and a breeze on a hot summer night.
We sail to the High Dam and tour the Temple of Philae then on to the Temple of Kom Ombo.
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We enjoy cocktails on the boat before touring the
Temple of Kom Ombo.
It was dress-up night on the cruiser. We took Oud to a shop in Luxor. The tailors made a fantastic outfit for Oud. He was the hit of the party. The ambassador's mother asked our permission to invite Oud to pre-dinner cocktails. He doesn't need our permission we told her. Oud was the hit of the party. Everyone wanted their photo with Oud.