My first morning in Luxor saw me rise at the ungodly hour of 4.20am and head across the Nile for my first ever hot air balloon ride. 8 out of the group went and we were in the air for sunrise. We could see the Valley of the Kings in the distance, however the wind decided we were destined to cross the Nile again and go over Luxor. What an amazing experience. So calm and gentle, although too much longer than our 45 minute flight and we might have had to request that the basket rotate in the opposite direction as dizziness may have set in. We attempted a landing but the wind decided not, on our second attempt we were nearly on the ground when we were told to brace (normal) and the basket shook after a loud thump (not normal) as we hit the top few bricks of a house bordering the field we were aiming for. The pilot assured us that he meant to hit that wall so that we didn't hit the barbed wire fence which was now 10metres in front of our basket - well you just have to trust the pilot I guess...

We have also spent the last few days visiting Luxor and Kurnak temples and the Valley of the Kings, Workers Village and tombs. So much is so well preserved that it really does take your breath away. We are getting used to the Egyptians ban on photography and our need to leave cameras either in the bus or in lockers when we visit some sights.

Today saw me shopping up a storm in the Luxor Souks. The locals wanted to give me tea, cola, water and then if I wished we could get married. Amazing what they are willing to offer just for a 10 pound (1 English pound) sale. A few scarves, tops, trousers (tailor made), belly dancing scarves and by the time I left I was well acquainted with all store holders. I was having so much fun in the souks I missed our 6pm group meeting and there were fears I was lost or abducted (the group does not know about my shopping habits...) and so a paniced call later and they realised all was good but I was still out hunting for bargains. Apparently a sign went up in reception about our meeting after I had left and not been back to the hotel since so I was blissfully unaware of the meeting even being on. Was nice though that the group really is like one big family and to know that everyone is looking out for each other.

Brian (Danish) is proving to be the most entertaining member of the group. We were literally crying at dinner last night when Zac relayed the story of how he had to stand on Brian's chest to crack his back. Brian had of course taken into account Zac's weight, which once he was on his chest Brian said - when did you weigh yourself? Do you really think you are 78kg? You feel more like 85kg. Zac was understandbly rather distressed at dinner. Brian has also informed us about how he wears disposable underwear which are antiseptic just in case he does an African fart - This is Africa afterall! The underpants are described as being semi transparent and he had some hilarious stories about how this has caused some distress in hostels prior to this trip. We are just all a bit upset at present that he is leaving us after 8 weeks as he proivdes daily hilarity.

Eid has seen lots of animals blood spill in the streets, but thankfully I just saw some of the cutting up and not an actual death. The families we ran into were also more than willing to explain exactly how they are going to eat everything that has come out of the animal. Thankfully after Friday's deaths most of the blood seems to have been washed away.

Back to Aswan tomorrow and fingers crossed we get our Sudan visa's for the ferry on Thursday. If not, there are numerous plans forming in the group on where we can fly to to avoid Sudan and get to Ethiopia - but we are not at the flight booking stage just yet.