The Boat and Environs

We sailed on the Nile, for three of our tour days, from Aswan to Luxor. Though incredibly polluted, the Nile has always been at the heart of Egyptian industry. Life-giving for the ancients, electricity-generating for the moderns, this long, calm strecth of water was fittingly at the heart of our visit. It is at the heart of Egyptian history, shaping everything from temple architecture and mythology to contemporary politics.



The view from our rooms was directly onto the Nile.


Life on board: calm cruising, loading via a precarious plank, and a tight squeeze through a lock.




This was the first time we'd seen scenes like this up close and not just on Sunday School colouring sheets.


This towel crocodile was just one of the special touches that greeted us nightly on the boat.


Some things can always be counted upon. Even Luxor, ancient city of kings, seat of Egyptian mythology, and historic Nile trading port, has an Irish pub, a McDonald's and Coke. Hooray for Internationally Standardized Products.