Thursday 5 February 2009

Luxor 29C....London -1C

I have been on the most amazing holiday of my life! I've spent a week on a 5 star cruise around the Luxor area of Egypt. Oh my word, it was just incredible.

The boat was beautiful, my cabin was excellent, the staff were brilliant and the sights and experiences were just astounding. I took more than 400 photos during the 8 days but have pared them down to just a sample.
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The amazing boat - Regency. My cabin was just on the waterline so I had amazing views.
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A lot of my pictures were of the scenary as we mooched past. It was so peaceful, drifting up and down the river. I got lots of knitting done. I started off with the ripple socks I had started before I went.
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But I soon cast on some 'Nile Socks' in the colours of the sky and sand. I finished these during the cruise.
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There are photos of my WIP at places like Abu Simbel on ravelry. And speaking of which....
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We were woken up at 3.30am for a 3 hour coach ride each way to the site. It was worth it!

Philae Temple was probably my favourite. Partly because of the boat rides there and back. Again, the scenary was beautiful.
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One place I was always looking forward to was Karnak - mostly because of the scenes shot there in the Ustinov version of Death on the Nile. Classic. It was as good as I thought it would be.
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The majestic rams grabbed by angela lansbury playing an alcoholic.

The last thing I did was an optional extra - a sunrise balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. I am *so* glad I did this. It was the most amazing part of the whole holiday. There were 32 people in the balloon but we were all awe struck and when the burner wasn't going it was silent. There were about 20 balloons all together - shows how popular it is. I would strongly recommend this to anyone.
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I did, naturally, do a little bit of shopping while I was out there but I think I'll leave that and a description of being a woman travelling alone in egypt until tomorrow.