Sunset On the River

Journal: Wednesday 24 March 1999 

This morning I met Robin and together we crossed the river on a motor boat to Luxor. Motor boats are an alternative to the passenger ferry, either to be privately hired for LE5 or as a public means of transport for the fare of LE1 each - twice the cost of the ferry but much faster. Our first call was to the bank to change some money and then on to do a tour of the bookshops to see what was new.  We had arranged to meet our friend David at the Amoun restaurant for lunch and met some new English ex-pats there too, which provided an hour or so of lively conversation as we gave them all news from home. The Amoun seems to be one of the main meeting places for Europeans living in Luxor. I noticed that the restaurant had a fancy new slatted roof over the outside tables, providing shade against the hot mid-day sun. Lentil soup was on the menu, one of my favourites which must be eaten with a twist of lemon  juice.

We were having a lazy day and what could be lazier than a couple of hours wallowing on a felucca at sunset. We boarded the ‘Moon Valley’ and drifted slowly to the north as there was very little wind, but we didn’t mind because it was lovely just to be out on the river, watching the various types of birds swooping down to the water in search of insects or fish as clumps of water-hyacinth drifted on the current past the boat. Luckily, as often happens at sunset, a slight breeze had sprung up and the felucca captain was able to put up the sails and get us back to the Corniche. A very peaceful and relaxing way to end an afternoon.