2004 09 – Egypt – Day 5

Wake up call this morning was 5:15 a.m. and breakfast was ready for us by 5:45. With all of our bags packed, we board our bus for a half hour ride to the train station. The train was on time and we were on our way by 7:30 a.m. in first class seats. The cost of the train was included in our package, it was roughly $20.00 Canadian. I consider it a fairly cheap trip for nine and a half hours traveling over 700 kilometres. Many stops had to be made along the way picking up and dropping off passengers.

I wasn't able to take many pictures from the train but rather just sat back and enjoyed the ride.

Arrived at Luxor train station by 4:45 p.m. and it was a long walk over to the entrance of the train station where we find a caleesh waiting for us. Basically, a horse and buggy taking us two at a time with our luggage over to the Nile to where our riverboat was waiting. Price for the caleesh and tip was included.

A caleesh is a traditional way of travel in these parts and there are many available.

Our riverboat was called Doma with 24 passengers on board including Wael our tour guide. It was all to ourselves along with 32 crew members aboard looking after everything. All meals are included but the drinks were extra including water at 5 pounds. A small store close to where we're located was selling water at 2 pounds. A small pool is on board and we had a great view of the Nile Valley from where we were docked.

Our first view of the corniche along the Nile in Luxor near our river boat.

These are small boats used to take us back and forth across the Nile over the next few days. The Nile is busy in this area with the many tourists traveling from all over the world.