So we are now in Luxor, it's about 4 in the afternoon but it's still about 43 degrees, I have basically sat in the shade all day and I am still sweltering. Apparently it's only going to get hotter the next few days as we head further south to Aswan and then to Sudan.
The last day we were in Cairo we headed out to Giza to the pyramids. Now, in the Lonely Planet they go on all the time about how everyone is out to scam you but we hadn't really experienced much of it in Dahab and Cairo but man the taxi we got out there just took us for a ride (in both senses). We knew from people who had been teh previous day that the fare was less then 30 pounds (about 3 GBP) for 4 people and the journey took about 20 minutes. We caught a cab and he agreed to do it with the meter, which was probably a mistake as then he just proceeded to see how long he could drive us around in circles before we said anything. I actually fell asleep and it was only when I woke up about half an hour later I realised we were nowhere near the pyramids and the fare was already over 40 pounds. When we ask the taxi driver he, of course, couldn't/wouldn't understand us (it's suprising how good he was at English when we were asking to go to the pyramids and then managed to forget it all when we were complaining!), we eventually arrived there after being in the taxi for over an hour. We stood our ground though and refused to pay more than 30 pounds, the guy kept threatening to take us to the 'police station' but we'd all got out of the cab before arguing so he couldn't really do that. In teh end we had to get the tourist police involved and this random camel seller who fought our case and the driver drove off with 30 pounds. UK (and Aus) 1, Egypt 0.
The pyramids were amazing. Basically exactly how you would imagine them from postcards etc. there are only 3 in Giza but they're pretty huge and amazingly intact. Unfortunetaly as it had taken us so long to get there we didn't have time to go inside but apparently there are better places to go in Sudan anyway. There is a super cheesy sound and light show at the pyramids but we decided it was too expensive, Karl (our driver) had informed us however that you get just as good a view from the Pizza Hut in the town (there isn't actually a McDo in Giza despite everyone saying so!), so we headed there and had pizza and then they set up chairs for us on the roof. Unfortunately the show was in Japanese but we still enjoyed ooh-ing and aah-ing at the lit up pyramids. We braved another taxi (didn't get ripped off this time!) and headed back to our hotel. We left Cairo early the next morning for a long day (9 hours) of driving south, so far I have quite enjoyed teh time spent in teh truck, it;s not too hot and all the seats face inwards so everyone can talk and stuff, there are speakers on board so we can play ipods and one of the girls bought a guitar so she sometimes makes up songs to pass the time. There's loads to see out of the sides as well, even if it has mostly just been desert. That night I had my first bush camp which is basically just where we drive the truck off the road, behind some kind of sandune and set up camp for the night. The truck is well equipped with a kitchen and stuff and there's loads of food and water on board. I'm sharing a tent with two girls - Alice and Briar who are both really nice, although they've been used to just having the two of them in the tent so I'm not sure how comfy they were now they had their space reduced! We watched the moon rise (which was amazing) and then headed to bed early, it's weird having no toilets, showers or even other people around, even if you stood on top of a dune you couldn't see another town/person/car.
The next day was another driving day but the scenery was totally different (it changed from brown desert to green like Vietnam), we arrived in Luxor in the evening and everyone was pretty happy to have a dip in the pool at the campsite (although it makes the Ouse look like a clean, nice swimming experience!). We will be here for the next four days which is nice as it's relaxing and it's nice to have showers/toilets and of course the pool (although it's been waaaaaay to hot for me to even contemplate sunbathing). It's so hot to get to sleep at night but I have managed to adopt a new position where I lay on my back with my hands above my head. I've already punctured my roll mat but fortunately I was able to pick up another one.
Yesterday, we went to Karnak temple which is amazing, it's over 4000 years old and although some bits are restored it's phenomenal how much of it is still standing. We also went to Luxor temple which is nowhere near as cool but we did get ice creams from the (air conditioned!!) McDonalds opposite which was bliss. Last night we went for dinner and out bowling for 2 peoples (matt and Kate) birthdays. The bowling was awesome although it got super competitive. The girls beat the boys (twice!) and Kate and I (we were in pairs) got the third highest score so we were pretty chuffed.
Today I have done nothing as we have to get up at 5am tomorrow to go to the Valley of the Kings early before it gets too hot.
I am uploading pictures onto facebook right now but the internet is so slow I'm not sure I'll be able to get many done.
I've been sitting at this computer for way too long now, back to my book now I think!
Alicexx
The last day we were in Cairo we headed out to Giza to the pyramids. Now, in the Lonely Planet they go on all the time about how everyone is out to scam you but we hadn't really experienced much of it in Dahab and Cairo but man the taxi we got out there just took us for a ride (in both senses). We knew from people who had been teh previous day that the fare was less then 30 pounds (about 3 GBP) for 4 people and the journey took about 20 minutes. We caught a cab and he agreed to do it with the meter, which was probably a mistake as then he just proceeded to see how long he could drive us around in circles before we said anything. I actually fell asleep and it was only when I woke up about half an hour later I realised we were nowhere near the pyramids and the fare was already over 40 pounds. When we ask the taxi driver he, of course, couldn't/wouldn't understand us (it's suprising how good he was at English when we were asking to go to the pyramids and then managed to forget it all when we were complaining!), we eventually arrived there after being in the taxi for over an hour. We stood our ground though and refused to pay more than 30 pounds, the guy kept threatening to take us to the 'police station' but we'd all got out of the cab before arguing so he couldn't really do that. In teh end we had to get the tourist police involved and this random camel seller who fought our case and the driver drove off with 30 pounds. UK (and Aus) 1, Egypt 0.
The pyramids were amazing. Basically exactly how you would imagine them from postcards etc. there are only 3 in Giza but they're pretty huge and amazingly intact. Unfortunetaly as it had taken us so long to get there we didn't have time to go inside but apparently there are better places to go in Sudan anyway. There is a super cheesy sound and light show at the pyramids but we decided it was too expensive, Karl (our driver) had informed us however that you get just as good a view from the Pizza Hut in the town (there isn't actually a McDo in Giza despite everyone saying so!), so we headed there and had pizza and then they set up chairs for us on the roof. Unfortunately the show was in Japanese but we still enjoyed ooh-ing and aah-ing at the lit up pyramids. We braved another taxi (didn't get ripped off this time!) and headed back to our hotel. We left Cairo early the next morning for a long day (9 hours) of driving south, so far I have quite enjoyed teh time spent in teh truck, it;s not too hot and all the seats face inwards so everyone can talk and stuff, there are speakers on board so we can play ipods and one of the girls bought a guitar so she sometimes makes up songs to pass the time. There's loads to see out of the sides as well, even if it has mostly just been desert. That night I had my first bush camp which is basically just where we drive the truck off the road, behind some kind of sandune and set up camp for the night. The truck is well equipped with a kitchen and stuff and there's loads of food and water on board. I'm sharing a tent with two girls - Alice and Briar who are both really nice, although they've been used to just having the two of them in the tent so I'm not sure how comfy they were now they had their space reduced! We watched the moon rise (which was amazing) and then headed to bed early, it's weird having no toilets, showers or even other people around, even if you stood on top of a dune you couldn't see another town/person/car.
The next day was another driving day but the scenery was totally different (it changed from brown desert to green like Vietnam), we arrived in Luxor in the evening and everyone was pretty happy to have a dip in the pool at the campsite (although it makes the Ouse look like a clean, nice swimming experience!). We will be here for the next four days which is nice as it's relaxing and it's nice to have showers/toilets and of course the pool (although it's been waaaaaay to hot for me to even contemplate sunbathing). It's so hot to get to sleep at night but I have managed to adopt a new position where I lay on my back with my hands above my head. I've already punctured my roll mat but fortunately I was able to pick up another one.
Yesterday, we went to Karnak temple which is amazing, it's over 4000 years old and although some bits are restored it's phenomenal how much of it is still standing. We also went to Luxor temple which is nowhere near as cool but we did get ice creams from the (air conditioned!!) McDonalds opposite which was bliss. Last night we went for dinner and out bowling for 2 peoples (matt and Kate) birthdays. The bowling was awesome although it got super competitive. The girls beat the boys (twice!) and Kate and I (we were in pairs) got the third highest score so we were pretty chuffed.
Today I have done nothing as we have to get up at 5am tomorrow to go to the Valley of the Kings early before it gets too hot.
I am uploading pictures onto facebook right now but the internet is so slow I'm not sure I'll be able to get many done.
I've been sitting at this computer for way too long now, back to my book now I think!
Alicexx
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