Saturday 24 May 2014

The Nile by Dahabiya.




It's definitely one of the highlight activities you can do in Egypt and shouldn't be missed. A Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan can't be beat if you have a penchant for peace, quiet and travel on water. And while you're at it, give the large cruise ships that basically are floating hotels a miss and opt for a wind-powered Dahabiya instead. These beautiful and aesthetic boats accommodate only a maximum of 12 people in six comfy cabins, making this a most intimate experience. When you wake up in the morning you hear the chatter of birds and the gurgling of water as the Dahabiya glides through the tranquil Nile. At the same time, the small crew is already busy preparing stacks of crepes and fresh coffee. So, rush up the stairs to the communal breakfast table to greet your fellow passengers and soak in the scenery. It's all green fields and palm trees with the desert as a contrasting backdrop and the blue Nile to match, dotted with the occasional donkey or village kids or group of fishermen. During the day, there are plenty of excursions to temples and other sights that you can join, but the best part is always returning to the boat and being welcomed by the steward with cold a hibiscus drink and refreshing towels. After lunch, you will have ample time for a nap in one of the cosy nooks around the ship equipped with rugs and cushions and of course the amazing view out into the green, blue and ochre of Upper Egypt. If you're not careful, you might sleep all the way until dinner, which would of course be a shame, as you would miss both the lovingly prepared afternoon tea as well as the golden afternoon sun, best enjoyed with a sundowner to match.

No comments:

Post a Comment