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Location Date Marsa Matrouh 1266624000 Alexandria 1266451200 Cairo 1266278400 Red Sea 1265846400 Sharm El Sheikh 1265760000 Luxor 
1265328000 Nile Cruise 1264982400 Abu Simbel 1264723200 Aswan 1264636800 -
Location Date Fri, 05 February 2010 1265394086 Sun, 31 January 2010
1264923262
Day 93 - Luxor
Point of departure : Aswan
Point of arrival : Luxor
Accommodation: Sofitel Hotel (www.sofitelhotel.com)
Km travelled today: 287km (cum 17 455km) gravel 0km (cum 4 649km)
Countries so far: 9/16
Where to next? Nile Cruise (Luxor to Aswan)
It felt good to be "back on the road again" (with the song in our minds) and the Beast purring as we headed north to Luxor to meet with Daniele and Simonetta Olivi (our friends and neighbours from South Africa) in Luxor. They have flown in today from South Africa to spend 10 days with us and specifically to witness our arrival in Cairo. PLUS they brought some goodies from home: South African wine, nougat, Oros… thank you!
The drive from Aswan through to Luxor pretty uneventful. The asphalt road is pretty good and the drive quite scenic, mostly along the Nile. The villages are very lush and green with cultivated fields and hundreds of date palms scattered along the banks of the river. We must have driven through half a dozen police checkpoints along this 235km stretch - all very friendly and welcoming (especially once they knew we were from South Africa - it's amazing what an asset our soccer team Bafana Bafana has been on this trip). Along the road we must have seen at least six Chevrolet pickups with 3 camels in the back - all admiring the view as the heads bobbed left to right and right to left. Made us think of the old Chevrolet advertisement (with a bit of poetic licence) - "Nile River, Camels, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet"!
We arrive in Luxor and spend an hour trying to find our hotel (not on Tracks 4 Africa). After checking in, we go off in search of Sim and Dani at the hotel pool - quite an emotional reception for Marina in a way the familiarity of home. Spent a lovely afternoon on the hotel terrace overlooking the Nile with wine and G & T's until the sun set - quite civilised! Then dinner and early to bed.
- comments
Shirley Writing on a cold Feb 1 morning with snow very much on the ground. So make the most of whatever warm weather you still have! Europe is chilly! But like I said last time, it seems that you are almost on our patch. What a trip! We all send our love, doggies as well (Fern had another big tummy op last Fri but fingers crossed, so far aso good on recovery). Maybe talk to you in persons soon. Meanwhile, lots of love S and S
jacqueline thomson last week on a BA flight to JHB a very inconsiderate passenger decided to start bleeding to death so the plane had to be turned around and we landed in cairo and long story short spent the day there. i really wanted to call you and say skip this place and go on to the next destination!!! We made the best of a bad job and hired a bus and went to the pyramids and the spinx etc. however any spiritual feelings negated by the presence of mac, pizza, and chicken take aways surrounding the area!!! Anyway, make the best of it all and the lovely people and we wish you safely on to your next destination. Take care, Jxxxxx
The Suttons Today Brilliant! Keep well, wishing you all the very best.
Karen and John Ashton Hi you 2. You really have been through a lot. Hope everything go well. But it must be nice to meet with good friends. We just met with 2 danish friends who were on holiday in Mombassa and we styed with them one night, that was really great. Then w'you realise how much it means to have friends. We are back at Jungle Junction, but it is not the same when you not are here. Here is so many germans. AND it is raining again!! In 4 days we are going to Uganda, now we have seen most of Kenya and have got our GPS, that helps. travel safe and take care. Karen and John I have tried to sent it by mail, but what is it about the numbers?? 4+4=8, but it says Wrong!!! so you get it here.