Oh dear, time to check out of the Movenpick Hotel. It is certainly a very nice hotel, and such a shame to see so few people staying there. The staff are wonderfully polite and attentive and we felt like goddesses.

We met up with Mervat and our driver over the river and we loaded our luggage into the van and were driven to the cruise ship to unload. We handed over our passports - which they kept hold of - I must admit to feeling a wee bit anxious about that. I like to have my passport with me at all times, but Leader Linda assured us that this was quite normal. Apparently each hotel has to keep records of the nationalities of all the guests and the tourist police ring each day to find out who is staying where.!!!! That is all very well and good, but I do not like handing over my passport.

Our first stop this morning was the Unfinished Obelisk, and then by boat to Philae Temple. Each temple is bigger and more gob-smacking than the previous, and we are now beginning to understand some of the pictures and recognise the gods and symbols. We came back to the ship for lunch before heading off to the high dam.

There are two dams on the Nile, the low dam built to control the flood waters and the high dam to generate power. It is an amazing construction and of course I was able to fully appreciate some of the difficulties of building such a major construction.

This entrance to the dam was heavily guarded with police, tourist police and there was a significant military presence including tanks at the entrance and on the dam.

It was then back to the ship for dinner. The food was amazing - a buffet with a great selection of salads as well as hot meat, rice and vegetable dishes. I tried a little of the liver which was great - tiny little slivers of liver, cooked with a little onion, lots of garlic and then with lemon juice drizzled on before serving. It was really very tasty and Mervat said this is a very traditional way of cooking it. Cook it quickly but only for a few minutes.

After dinner we went into the lounge for the Nubian Party where we were entertained by six young men - very good dancers. We were sitting in the front row so were very quickly pulled up to dance with them which was lots of fun.

And all too soon it was time for bed. It's been another very full on day, with loads and loads of information given to us by Mervat, and topped up by Leader Linda.

We set sail about 4.30am and when we wake we will be cruising along the Nile.