Egypt, 2008 - Baloon Ride & Valley of the Kings

Early morning balloon ride today on the West bank. Not sure when I was suppose too be picked up so I got up at 4AM just in case there was a mistake. I went for an early morning walk to kill time. I met my guide in the lobby and proceed to the Nile where we took a river taxi. As soon as we got to the other side, I was personally escorted to a van where two other couples were waiting. We drove to the staging area where the balloon was being filled with hot air. After the balloon was ready, the five of us climb in the gondola. There was an Italian couple that was celebrating their 40th anniversary. The balloon ride was awesome! We climbed to 1,500’. As balloon rides go, we went up and down several times riding the currents and using the low altitudes for vertical maneuvering. We got low enough a few times on the cornfields that we could hear the bottom of the gondola scraping on the top of the corn stalks. After 30 minutes, the pilot was looking for a place to land. We ended up close to our departure point. A bunch of local farmers came out to collapse the balloon. The van met us at the landing spot. I was dropped off at a location near the river where I met up with Ahmed, my guide from yesterday. We drove to the valley of the workers that was not part of the tour but Ahmed had recommended it. I visited two underground tombs. Pictures were not allowed but it was early and no one else was around so I was able to take a few photos.
Next stop, the Valley of the Queen or temple of the Queen Hatshepsut. Very impressive and large. The guide gave a brief tour of the place then left me alone to take photos. When I was walking around I was at a location were a guard with an oozy want me to take his picture. I wasn’t going to argue. At first I thought, how strange, well he must do this a lot. Then he lured me into an open corridor for more pictures. Showing me good angles, then he wanted to take pictures of me. At this point I was feeling uncomfortable. I indicated that it was enough and I was going to leave. He gave me back my camera then asked for a tip. DOUGH! How could I have been so dumb? I gave him 5EP, he of coarse wanted more, so five more. Let’s call it a 10EP photo shot. Then I got the hell out of there. Met back up with Ahmed, we drove to a souvenir shop, why not, everyone gets a chance to take the tourist money. Bought a couple annex eggs.
Finally, we are going to the Valley of the Kings. Very cool, but not cold, in fact it was starting to get very hot and it’s not even noon yet. There are many tombs to visit but my package only allowed a trip to three tombs. Gee, I thought the outside temperature was warm, the tombs were like an oven. The color on the walls was still vibrant in most areas. Ahmed said they covered the paintings with egg whites and honey. The egg whites for the gloss and honey to keep the bacteria from eating the eggs. No pictures allowed inside the tombs, what else is new. Time to head back. We started our ride back through the west bank farmlands. Got back to the east bank then back to the hotel.
The train leaves at 8PM so I extended my stay for a fews hour so could shower and pack my bags. I had the hotel hold on to my bags so I could go out for the afternoon. I had lunch with the greeter at the same place we ate at yesterday but this time I wanted Egyptian food not the standard buffet stuff they have for the tourist. I went to the lobby bar had a few beers while I caught up on my journals. I walked to the market place near the hotel. I found the fez for Gareth’s kid I had been looking for this trip. Got back to the hotel around 3PM. I located a free Internet computer in the lobby so I checked out my email messages. I went to the hotel café for ice cream and a coffee ended up ordering a large salad. The first real salad I’ve had since I left the US.
I had a few more beers in the bar before I got my bags from the front desk. The driver was ready at 7:30PM to take me to the train station. The train was an hour and a half late but I got on in my private cabin and updated the journals and went to sleep