My Egypt Days : Photologue

[TaureanBull]

So, after the above discussion I set out to book the Nile cruise.

I have booked through the tour operator Abbas. I have booked at half the price of DIY price. So, it has come out a pretty good deal and no hassles of booking etc. Anyone interested to know the modus operandi of tour operators then let me now I will try and post here. The map shows the places of interest along Nile covered by Nile cruise. Source : Internet



Its holiday time here for Bakrid (Eid-al-Adhha). I have kept lots of free time at hand while planning so that I can relax, enjoy and see things around. So, basically its a 3night/4day cruise. Three nights in hotels as I go around the cities of Luxor and Aswan and also to Abu Simbel. This time in hotel I will utilise for going around some places which are otherwise not included in the Nile Cruise. My Plan :



So, we leave tomorrow. Live updates not assured as I am not sure about the internet availability and free time at my hand. It has more to do with the first reason.

Hope to click lots of pics and share here.

[TaureanBull]

Guys, I have finally got the birth certificate for my daughter. Icing in the delayed cake is that the religion mentioned is Hindu and not a --. Of course it did take a lot of effort and patience. All is well that ends well.

[CRV2010]

congrats TaureanBull finally you got the certificate.

Also Enjoy your vacation on Nile

[aargee]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

"Its holiday time! So what do we do?"

Wifey : Lets do the Nile Cruise!

Man!!! you're blessed

Here's a conversation between myself & wifey on account of Bakrid holiday...
Me: I'm taking comp off on Mon & Tue so that totals to 5 days from Sat-Wed.
Wifey: Gives a smile with 3*10^9 meaning
Me: I'm thinking of the drive we kept planning over Moogambika
Wifey: How much will it cost?
Me: I'm least bothered
Wifey: I'm bothered...& gives a big gyan.
Me: (finally give up) You're right, I'll stay home
Wifey: Gives a smile with only one meaning - You dumb fellow!!!

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

I have finally got the birth certificate...well that ends well.

First congratulations; a small write-up is appreciated, if you don't mind.

I have booked at half the price of DIY price.

What's half the price of DIY? I know you didn't mean Do It Yourself; I'm little confused!!!

So, it has come out a pretty good deal and no hassles of booking etc. Anyone interested to know the modus operandi of tour operators then let me now I will try and post here

Yes pls, I'm little confused; I'm under the impression that you booked a tour through a regular tour operator - Abbas (travels or tour). Isn't that right?

[arindamray]

Aargee spoke my mind.

[TaureanBull]

Ok guys I am back from Nile Cruise a day before than planned. Great trip. Lots of pics. Busy sorting them out. They will start pouring soon.

@aargee : DIY did mean Do It Yourself. In this context means planning and booking on own rather than booking through a tour operator. I did book through a tour operator. What I meant was you can save a lot of money if you book through a tour operator. Yes, I know it feels a little contradictory statement, but its true in this case. Costs I will cover at the end of the write up.

Birth Certificate needed some action from the Embassy side. It was not difficult there after. It did involve few unwanted trips here and there.

[TaureanBull]

Left Cairo airport and reached Luxor airport after an hours flight. Checked into hotel. Some pics....

Some pics from the flight. The windows glass was not clean so pics little hazy.





Notice the green patch along the Nile. Rest everything is desert.





My hotel







Day 2 : Starts with the surprise package. A glimpse... I am sure no one can this surprise. So no prizes as well.

[TaureanBull]

We go to the hot air balloon in early morning at 4AM to see the aerial view of the West Bank monuments in Luxor as well as the sunrise. This was done on two consecutive days. The pics are of ballooning on day 2 morning and day 3 morning.

We are taken across the Nile and to an open field where balloons are being prepared to be taken off. The area is just in the centre of the West Bank monuments.

The captain briefs for 5 mins about the landing and safety procedures. We take off at around 5:45 AM.

[TaureanBull]

While in flight,there is no noise or jerks except occasion sound of firing of burners. It gives you a feeling of just rising in air quietly. Excellent feeling and excellent way to see the world around.

[aargee]

Whoa!!! This is the greatest experience one can get; sounds thrilling, but I'd never attempt as I'm scared of being open in such heights. What were the safety mechanism deployed? A summary of those is appreciated.

The very thought of the balloon catching fire is nightmare, besides the fact, what happens when two balloons collide with each other ?

You've really got guts!!!

[TaureanBull]

Some pictures of the scenes from the hot air balloon. People working in fields, monuments in West Bank and Nile.

[raghu230506]

WOW breathtaking.

Nice pics, thanks for sharing. Keep rolling

[TaureanBull]

Originally Posted by aargee

Whoa!!! This is the greatest experience one can get; sounds thrilling, but I'd never attempt as I'm scared of being open in such heights. What were the safety mechanism deployed? A summary of those is appreciated.

The very thought of the balloon catching fire is nightmare, besides the fact, what happens when two balloons collide with each other ?

You've really got guts!!!

The safety mechanisms involve the weight check (these one can carry about 2000 kg or about 25 persons). The balloon needs a change after 500 hrs of flying and basket too. These are certified by the safety department. It needs a certified pilot. There is additional fuel on board and spare set of burners.

Well, you wont even know when it takes off unlike an aircraft. Very quiet and no jerks. The balloon is really huge. You must compare with the size of basket in which there are 25 people. The balloon catching fire is remote and almost impossible. An aircraft can catch fire too.

There is limited steering capability with pilots. So, no colliding. In a rare case the balloon may brush but its fine till the time baskets dont collide. Much safer than aircraft collisions.

[TaureanBull]

Some pics of the Sunrise...







One of the balloons landed..



Our balloon being wrapped after landing....







A small dance and baksheesh collecting ceremony..followed by presentation of certificates and t-shirt by the captain.



Basket being loaded into truck



Ferry to cross the Nile



Certificate, name yet to be added



T-shirt



@raghu : thanks buddy.

[TaureanBull]

We checked in the Nile Cruise named "Nile Ruby" of Nile Hotels and Clubs after hot air balloon, checking out of hotel and visit to the West Bank monuments.

A map of the monuments on the West Bank of Luxor. Egypt holds an approximate 1/3rd on world's old monuments! There are plenty of them in Luxor and many of them unexplored yet. A map quoted from the following site:-
Egypt Travel, Tours, Vacations, Ancient Egypt from Tour Egypt