10.11.15

Kom Ombo

We spent the day quietly cruising along the Nile before arriving at Kom Ombo - the Temple of the crocodile God. Yep more of that gobsmacking stuff. We get an hour or so to wander around after Mervat has told us the stories of each place, but it is nowhere near long enough, and photos don't really do them any justice at all.

Linda and I had the most amazing time here with all the hawkers trying to sell us their bits and pieces. They followed us, they pestered us, they draped us with scarves and gelabaya and shirts and pushed camels, and fans, and alabaster statues at us, always promising 'no hassle' or 'very good price for you.' Linda bought a black and gold triangular shawl (very beautifully crocheted and embellised with gold beading) for 100 pound, and then by the end of the line I was being offered the same thing for 40 pound. I bought another shawl, and a glittery silver one, as well as some scarab necklaces and managed to make it to the end without too much difficulty. Linda purchased some more bits and pieces including a shot glass which was top of her gift list and we had been looking all over for one for her. She had managed to get herself cornered in a stall and by the time Leader Linda and I made to the end of the row, Mervat was starting to panic as we were running late to get back on the ship. "But where's Linda?" We all rushed back to find and rescue her, and scarpered back to the ship quick smart. The captain was at the gang plank waiting for us but he was smiling and happy - he could see how many purchases we had made. We all apologised profusely, laughing our heads of as we made our way upstairs to our room.

When we got back to the boat we started to lay our goodies on the bed, when suddenly Linda went "Oh My God" and I looked at her and said - "did you steal those" pointing at the two very beautiful pashmina she had draped over her arm. She said "yes I did" and told us about how the guy draped them all over her, and ran away to find something else for her to buy, and then Mervat had come and pulled her away to go and catch the boat. We talked it over with Mervat - karma she said - his fault for hassling her so much. Leader Linda was quite angry with how they were invading our personal space, but Linda and I weren't too worried about it, and because we were smiling and laughing the whole way they could see that we weren't upset about it.

These people are so poor, and there are so few tourists around and those who are here are not really buying very much, so when they could see two women who wanted to at least buy a few things we were perfect targets. And the clothes and scarves are cheap compared to home, and the pashmina!!! well you all know what I am like with pashmina.

From Kom Ombo we sailed on to our next stop - Edfu. Horses and carriages were awating us here to drive us to the Temple of Horus, the falcon God - the most completely preserved temple.

We teased Linda as we arrived, that somebody would be waiting to get paid for the two pashmina she stole in Kom Ombo - and she looked horrified at me. "Really" she said "how will they know?" I told her, "haven't you noticed that they all have cell phones? They will ring each other" Then I laughed and admitted that I was joking. I know, mean. But this time we managed to get through the hawkers without too much hassle and I must admit these guys were much more controlled and quiet. But as for the temple - Yip it was Absolutely Stunning.

Back in the carriage and back to the ship - stopping briefly to get some tonic for Gin o'clock but the guy was asking a ridiculous price for little 200ml bottles so Leader Linda and Mervat told him to get lost and said we would buy it on the ship. But LeaderLinda had a bottle of Sprite so we got to have our first G&Sprite before dinner. Linda is not a drinker, and I can take it or leave it so we have let the Venus name down a bit by not having our daily G&T's.

Tonight is the night of the gelabaya party - so we got all dressed up in our pretty outfits before going down for dinner.

Another delicious dinner - salads and then roast chicken and vegetables and potatoes. Tonights potatoes were cooked in an oven (because they were very moist I would think in a tagine) But first fry onions and some garlic , add the potatoes and then add some tomato and Mervat said soup - either chicken or beef - I guess that means stock and cook until the potatoes are soft and have absorbed the stock.

We were very disappointed to see that no other guests had dressed up - and the big Chinese group didn't even come into the lounge after dinner to join the party. So a very small party of 3 Venus Godesses, and two German ladies and our Mervat. But we got up and danced, and Leader Linda had already shown us a few belly dancing moves.

So a really quiet party which was a shame as Linda and I were looking forward to a bit of a party.