We woke up a little later in the morning on day three in Aswan. Closer to 9:00AM instead of before 6:00AM the previous days. We took a small breakfast and then boarded a felucca boat for a relaxing trip down the Nile river. It was a great day, slow and relaxing as we made our way by sail down the river. The boat sailed in a zigzag pattern in order to catch the wind. We spent the day reading, taking pictures, and enjoying nice conversation.
After a few hours of sailing we docked at a very small beach and spent about 20-30 minutes swimming in the Nile. Yes, it is somewhat dangerous to swim in the Nile, but not for reasons you would think. The biggest threats come from micro-organisms, not bycrocodiles or flesh eating fish. Since Lake Nasser was created almost no crocs live in the Nile. They are all located in the lake now.
The water was surprisingly a little on the cold side. I thought it would feel like bath water. It took a few minutes but I adjusted and then enjoyed the water. The current of the Nile is extremely strong. So strong, in fact, that about ten feet out from our little alcove on the shore the current takes you and it takes some effort to swim against it to just stay in place. Supposedly this is the key though if you are going to swim in the Nile. Apparently you don’t want to swim where the water is calm as there are particular micro creatures that could latch onto you and that’s not good.
After about 30 minutes we dried off and boarded the felucca again for the rest of the trip.
We also had a support boart where we ate lunch and dinner. The boat contained two small toilets, a small kitchen, and an eating area on top.
As the sun set our felucca headed to shore and we docked for the night. We spent the night sleeping on the felucca under the stars. However, it was not a quiet night. Cruise boats passed by all through the night, making ear plugs a necessity.
The felucca trip surprisingly turned out to be one of the best things I did in Egypt. I had come with great excitement to see the pyramids and other temples of Egypt. Those were fantastic, but it was this pleasant day sailing down the Nile that sticks out as one of the best days.
The pictures and scenery are just breathtaking along with your descriptions. BEAUTIFUL!
Isn’t this where Noah was born? Or found? I need to watch “The Ten Commandments” again.
Sounds amazing! Glad you’re having such a great time.
Curtis, I don’t know if I should laugh or be concerned your Biblical knowledge is from a Charlton Heston movie! 🙂
Yes. Not to mention the fact that it was Moses, not Noah. I’m not sure how historically accurate that movie was 🙂 Although Charlton Heston did a fine job. “Let my people go!”