FELUCCA SUNSET CRUISE

Hiring a felucca in Aswan is easy .... at every steps there is someone trying to sell you a felucca trip (like horse/camel rides at the pyramids) ..... but on my way back to the hotel room, I spot one flying an Aussie flag (I treat this as a sign that this is the boat for me), and the captain was asleep (afternoon nap) inside it .. so I stroll down, wake him up, and start talking to him.

Having a conversation in Egypt is part of life, I literally talk to dozens of strangers/locals everyday, they all want to practice their English, and learn about where I come from..... that is the nature of the Egyptians ... and they are friendly, open, and extremely welcoming ..... off course, usually they want to sell you something, but after establishing that I’m not interested in their goods (tell them I’m a poor student, works everytime), they are still interested in a conversation (be it brief, or an extended one).

So I chat with Ahmed (the captain), and after 15 minutes or so ... arrange a price for a sunset cruise around the bay (A$10).... I have ulterior motives here ... as I want to see how I like travelling in a felucca, and if I can do 2-3 nights travelling, sleeping, living and cooking on a primitive sail boat (not to mention that there are no toilets).... it really is the closest/traditional way to sailing the Nile.... and Ahmed assures me .... I will see everything there is to see!!!

(BTW - as we travel around Elephantine island, Ahmed tells me that the tribe there has too many chiefs ... see prior posting)