Perhaps you’ve heard of Moctezuma’s Revenge? Delhi belly, the Philippine fall-aparts, the Hersey squirts, etc.? Well, about the time I developed a case of what all call “mummy tummy,” I had the opportunity to lay around all day – a cruise on the Nile in a boat known as a “felucca.” After a leisurely morning (rare), we left our hotel and boarded the felucca, then proceeded to tac against the wind down the Nile (north). Apart from a lunch on the roof, we were able to just relax on the soft cushions on the main deck, and I took a lovely nap. Enjoy the ride…

We pulled over along one of banks of an island and some of us took a walk about. Below, after a walk through what we thought was an empty orchard/farm, we discovered the guy drinking tea and having his shisha was sitting there in the twilight under a tree…

More pix from the felucca, including a wonderful dinner in our communal bedroom. We all slept together in the one open room, woke to breakfast and crossed the Nile for a long bus ride…

During our five hour drive to Luxor, I took a few pix of the people along the road. Here ya go…

Also, I snapped some pix of the old buildings, many made of mud bricks, along the road. Included are some of the old tombs of more common people dug into the mountain sides…

Before getting to Luxor, we stopped at an animal rescue facility to visit some cats & dogs, horses & donkeys, and some turtles. ACE: Animal Care Egypt is partially funded by Intrepid…!

After visiting ACE, we briefly checked into the hotel, then went to explore the Temple of Karnak. The 134 enormous columns that once supported a roof are perhaps more impressive than the pyramids? Not only was the grandeur once an interior, the sheer volume of carvings is staggering.

Later, in the evening, on the way to dinner, we walked around the Temple of Luxor, similar in style to Karnak. We also walked through the markets of Luxor…

Time to rest…