Leslie is SO FAST not sure how she gets the time to get these posted.

Ken and I remain amazed at the lack of tourists it is almost impossible to explain the difference. To have no lines for trains at the Valley of the Kings and to walk up and board the boat to Philae Temple, dock immediately it is such a different experience. The tours go so much faster with so little waiting for transport or for people to move to give our guides a chance to show us something. It is like a whole new experience. This has to be a better time to visit Egypt than it has been for years and years. Only negative for the tourist is the fact the vendors are far more aggressive as there are so few tourists. We also hit the weather perfect. Not been hot at ALL in fact today I used a light jacket in Aswan, unbelievable.

The ship is good I would use it again without hesitation. The cabins are a good size, the food acceptable (not Regent of course but as good as we have ever had on a Nile river boat) with lots of fresh vegetables which makes me very happy. Service is good and some really nice staff members. Internet works great as well. We do not have the ship all to ourselves but the other guests are not an issue at all. We are in the majority and it has worked just fine.

Hany did a lecture with slides yesterday that was excellent and explained about the beginning of the Egyptian culture. Henry is doing a lecture later on the role of women in the Egyptian culture. This is another benefit to have the time for lectures on a seven day cruise over a four day cruise and time in a hotel.

Last night we had the “Egyptian dress up” evening and this ship has much nicer dresses than I have ever seen before – people looked great. It seems like a hassle but once you are all set and everyone is dressed up it is a lot of fun. Some of the guys really looked the part. Henry was in rare form dancing a lot more than I have seen in the past and I asked him this morning and he said “he was in the mood” Pictures will follow by Ken eventually.

We have the “Henry’s Highlights” and the “Hany’s Do it All Group” and Ken is in the “do it all group” and is still out. We see the same things but Henry talks a little less and also does a lot of the explanations in the vehicle on the way so we are usually back an hour or two before the other group.

This morning we visited Philae Temple, Aswan Dam, and the unfinished oblisk. This afternoon we do the Felucca ride and visit the Nubian Museum.

Tomorrow we fly to Abu Simbel. For me Abu Simbel is the highlight of the trip. In the afternoon the “shoppers” can shop and the non shoppers can relax on the boat.

Then we sail back to Luxor. We lose the four night passengers and pick up the three night passengers. On our last day in Luxor there will be ten of us doing the hot air balloons. We will leave early in the morning be back in time for breakfast. Then at noon we fly Luxor to Cairo and then for 16 of us a flight from Cairo to Amman, Jordan. Going to be a long day!

Okay I am signing off now it is lunchtime and I am hungry – no waiting for Ken to come back I am going to have my daily vegetable fix.