Day 7

Did I say an early start? It was still dark when we were taken by van / ferry / van to our take off area on the western bank of the Nile (our boat is parked on the eastern bank) where we were amazed to see about 7 other hot air balloons in various stages of inflation. Ours was the Sindbad (like the sailor?). The basket was in four compartments each with up to 7 people (ours was 6) and the “pilot” whose name was Mohamed (aren’t they all Mohamed?).



We were run through a “crash” course on landing procedures (pun intended?), signed a disclaimer where we couldn’t blame anyone for our stupidity in wanting to get to 2,000 ft above the ground with only hot air holding us up and no parachutes, and up, up, up we went. The sensation was fantastic, until I looked over the basket and so how high we were and wondered “what would happen if…..”. Well my anxiety levels started to race higher than I actually was.



I started taking photos to keep my mind of my mortality. It is beautiful up there over the mountains and river and houses.



It was another reminder of the uniqueness that is the Nile river valley. The narrow strip of green farmland that sustains a huge population, and the never-ending desert landscape that goes on as far as the eye can see.

After descending from around 2,000 ft, I was happy and relieved to be floating above the tree tops as we approached our landing spot which was a farm field adjacent to the river. The shout came for us to brace ourselves in the “crash” position and as we descended we were met by our ground crew who caught the basket and gently set us down on terra firma.



We all clapped and shouted for joy. When we disembarked we gathered around in joyous song and dance. Once more we defeated death itself and we celebrate living another day!

Following our adrenaline rush it was off to catch up with the rest of us “boat people” and into the Valley of the Kings to explore the many royal tombs of Pharaohs past. You wouldn’t believe it but we saw another “king” who is obviously still alive and kicking.




After this a few more temples and we were back on board. Man my feet hurt!



During lunch on board we set sail for the upper parts of the Nile, truly a grand river. We approached the “locks” were there is a height change for our continuing journey, but before that we were ambushed by a series of small boats “tagging” onto our boat and trying to sell us their wares such as Galibos, scarfs, table clothes etc.



They would do this by being tethered to the boat and shouting out “madam – very cheap” and then throw up the item in a plastic bag to the top deck level (4 storeys high) and then haggle over the price and you would either throw the item back or throw down the agreed value. As we were nearing the lock the price inevitably lowered and some did get a bargain or two.

One of the damages of these small boats trying to tether themselves onto the larger moving boat actually eventuated. There were about 6 boats tied to the lead boat that was tied to our boat and as another small boat tried to tag along there was a mix up causing the last 4 boats to come unstuck. There was some downcast faces as they realised that the had “missed the ship’ and lost any chance of making a sale. Well that’s the Nile.