On the Nile, the royal barge drifts liesurely

The day started at 7 with yoga on the top deck and watching the boat go through the lock at Esna. Fascinating machinery.

Then swimming in the pool and seeing more gorgeous scenery.

Editors comments......... waves lap gently.....

Pure white egrets stand stock still in the reeds. On the bank a dusty and tired grey donkey chomps intently in the shade of a date palm, its owner sleeping lazily beside. Below, two fishermen in a tiny rowing boat gently draw in their nets. Then a pied kingfisher races by inches above the rippling, khaki water, and all is still again. Northward the boat drifts, Lesliepatra secure and content.

I love how the vegetation gives way to the desert mountains. 

I am sure a tomb up there is waiting for me to find it. Next year.

We went to Karnak and Luxor temples in the afternoon. Our guide, Ahmid, is excellent. He knows his hieroglyphs. I have learned about temple architecture and the Pharaohs. Thutmose's III is the first Napoleon and Ramses II wasn't as great a ruler. He just made many children and lived a long time. (Happily no doubt.)

We are having dinner with our three other boat travellers for this last night together.

The three travelers go to dinner

 

Tomorrow after going to the Valley of the Kings (7:30am departure) we move to the Winter Palace -- one of my favourite hotels.

I will try to email some pictures then.

I saw the blog briefly and like the photos and editor's comments.

Miss you.

Love. Les