Day 29 - Safaga

Day 29 – Safaga, Egypt. Wednesday 13/6/12

Weather – Fine and Sunny 28C - 31C

Sunrise – 4.51am

Sunset – 6.36pm

Time difference - minus - 8 hours ex Sydney. (another hour back last night).

Early this morning we approached Safaga Pilot Station passing between Jazirat Safajah and the outlying Panorama Reef and Fellowes Rocks, then chucked a big rightie towards the harbour entrance.

The harbour pilot jumped on, and guided the Sun Princess through the buoyed channel following the directional leading lights and approach to berth, turning the bow to starboard and manoeuvred alongside.

Phew what a day, it will certainly go down as memorable, for more reasons that one. We were on a Princess tour today. Princess tour groups meet in an assigned place and time, and then taken down to the buses 'en block'. We met at the assigned time of 6.15, almost 2 hours later at 8am we were n our way.

As is the practice here, all buses, private or Princess, left in a block forming a convoy through the city and out the road to Luxor. The convoy is led by a police and/or military vehicle with armed officers. The last vehicle in the convoy is the same. In addition there was an armed officer on many of the buses. These security measures were instituted some years ago in response to an incident that occurred when security was not a priority.

It did not take long until we were out of the city and into the desert. The high mountains close to the road initially make for an imposing backdrop, but that soon blends into a desolate landscape. There was a lot more gravel on the surface than I expected, however that dissipated as we got deeper inland.

I had read about the number of tourist coaches that are involved in accidents in Egypt, I now understand why. You know that continuous white line we have that indicates to the driver that it is not safe to overtake. Well they have them in Egypt too, but drivers of all vehicles clearly have not grasped the concept of waiting until the continuous white line becomes a dashed white. The overtake on the inside , outside, what ever works for them. There were a few occasions when I thought , phew that was close. The seems to be this 'understanding' between drivers that avoids the collisions.

Three hours and 45 mins later, yep a long drive, our first stop was Karnak Temple. What an awesome site this was. You just stand and marvel at the structures here, and wonder just how they could construct this, back in that day, an amazing feat. The SHB photo was taken here. It was very hot out in the open sun, I dont know what the temp was, but I would not have been surprised if it was over 40C.

We met our CC friends here who were on private tour, gee I wished we had booked with them. They were leaving as we arrived. One of the benefits of the private tour is that everybody knows everybody, so everyone makes sure they are back to meeting points at prescribed times, and the tour generally keeps to schedule. As opposed to the Princess tours where no-ones knows anyone, and there is always some inconsiderate prat who will turn a 5 minute photo stop into a 30 mins shop/market stall visit whilst everyone is waiting on the bus – leave the bastards behind I say.

I had a bit of a faint/dizzy spell that came on all of a sudden, which I soon realised to be low blood sugar. Fortunately a lady nearby had some sweets, which gave an immediate fix, enough to get me back to the bus where we had a little food stash. We only had a light breakfast coz whatever goes in, has to come out, and not keen on the ambience of some toilets. Breakfast was at 5.30am, so 7 hours without food is not good, when I need to be managing my blood sugar. On the way back to the bus Donna bought an Egyptian style dress ( I am sure there is a unique name for it), and a couple of souvenirs.

Next stop was the Sofitel Luxor, which sits on the banks of the Nile, for a buffet lunch. A really nice spread was on offer, but we both kept it light. Sometimes I just sit in amazement at the volume of food that some folk can shovel in, in such a short time. Says he who is still scarred by the self abuse at the Singapore buffet lunch :)

Then it was off to the big finale of the day, The Valley of the Kings. Fascinating, simply fascinating, to go down these tombs, and to see the artwork and hieroglyphics still in original condition thousands of years after creation. You cant help but be in awe of this place. Deb, thanks for the tip about the cardboard fans – it came in handy :)

The heat, combined with not feeling too well still from the dizzy fit earlier, we took it easy and rested up under the shade for a bit. I have experienced some hot weather before, but never ever like this, it just enveloped you and seared your skin, and that was under the shelter of an umbrella. We were later told that the bus driver had a thermometer, and said that it was 45C in the shade and 56C in the open. Seriously, 56C, and the locals wander around without a hat !! I just dont understand how people were not dropping like flies, although there was an ambulance run whilst we were there,

The hawkers are as persistent as those in Ho Chi Minh City, but a lot more cunning. These guys try and build a relationship with you, my friend , my friend, etc and then line up the 'sting', they are very good – gotta be good to squeeze $5 outa me, which they did. Thankfully 'soft touch Donna' did not have any money on her, as it was she was handing out sweets to all and sundry.

Back on the bus, and we drove down to the meeting point for the return convoy which departed at 5pm, although it was much smaller than the morning one, it was only the 4 buses that ended the day at the Valley of the Kings. The other buses came at different times of the day, so were returning from different points.

Driving through Luxor, you arr struck by the number of building that are about 80% complete. Walls not finished here, roof partly missing there etc. Our guide explained that locals do not pay tax until a building is complete, so they deliberately not finish them. Novel idea! Our bus hit a stray donkey on the way out of town. It was only a glancing blow, and the donkey took off like a rabbit after, so not obvious injury.

Wish I could say the same about my foot. By the time we had got back to the ship 3 & ¾ hours later, my foot had blown up like a footy, with lots of blood bruising etc. It was too late to see the doctor, so first thing in the morning it was into the medical centre.

We left port a bit late due to late arriving return of some tours (including ours). Once clear of Safaga we set a north westerly course towards the Gulf of Aqaba, and our next port of call, Aqaba.

Footnote : Yep the foot is infected, so I was hooked up to a drip for a surge dose of anti-biotics and some panel and paint work on the foot. So that will put me out of action for a day or two by which time it will have recovered enough for the long day out to the Pyramids.