Sailing on the River Nile

We boarded our Feluca boat and home for the next 3 days on the River Nile. Felucas are a traditional wooden sailing boat but for the use of tourists they line the wooden deck with mattresses and this is where we ate and slept and ate and slept some more and then jumped off the side to cool off in the Nile. Then when we needed the bathroom - number 1's you jumped off the boat for a "swim", number 2's we pulled over and had to go on some poor guy's farm behind what little shrubbery was around, all very classy. Asides from the lack of a bathroom, sailing along with 9 other lovely people, reading books, chatting, attempting to play cards without losing them in the wind, snoozing and dangling our feet off the side gazing at the amazing scenery, this would have to be the most serene experience by far. We honestly did not have a care in the world, it was a sure fire way to rid any stress or worry we had. After the first day of sailing and swimming we docked by a farm that had a welcoming Nubian (a small ethnic group in southern Egypt) house nearby where we were offered traditional tea and shisha under the stars. Then back to the boat where we slept surprisingly easily considering our day of doing nothing.

Jay working on his leg tan

Our home for 3 days

Shisha smoking at the Nubian house

Reading on the boat

We woke with the sun and had breakfast prepared by our Feluca crew then off we went repeating our glorious routine from the day before. We pulled over for lunch and a swim by a rare sandy beach along the river where a group of Nubian people, mostly children, were bathing and playing in the Nile. They were over the moon to see tourists and eventually a couple of brave little ones made there way over to our group to play with the soccer ball we had and pose for a few pictures. It did cross my mind to ask if we could keep one of the littles ones but I soon realised that would put us over our luggage allowance. We took off sailing again but with no time to stop to jump off for a "swim" and Jayden's weak bladder he had to make do with lowering himself off the back of the boat (while we were still moving) to relieve himself whilst everyone watched and almost had to join him from laughing so much. And yes it was suggested that he just stand and pee off the side of the boat but our guide warned us of previous situations in which the wind has changed and someone has received an unwanted splash in the face. After a couple of hours we were off again and when we docked this time this was where we were staying for the night. As a few other boats docked nearby the crew from the boats decided to build a "firebon" as they called it and we danced and sung the night away around the fire before we crawled back onto our boat after another hard day of relaxing.

Jayden going to the bathroom

See he did want to come with us!

Jumping into the Nile

Bidding farewell to our little sailing home the following day was made slightly easier by the fact that we checked into a 5 star hotel with a bath tub! Not having a bath tub in our home in London for the past year and a half means we get overly excited when we are lucky enough to find one. The following couple of days were filled with visiting more temples which as amazing as they were to see writing about them could never do them justice so we will leave it at that, however we did get a chance to visit the Valley of the Kings which was incredible. The valley consists of 55 tombs that have been built into it's walls and the intricacy and detail that has gone into each one was insane, unfortunately to preserve the artwork cameras were again not allowed but it was worth wandering around the valley and tombs in the scorching heat just to admire it all.

Welcome to Egypt

 Arriving in Cairo airport we could not have been more thankful that we had arranged to do a tour. A representative from the tour company met us before we even got through customs and as they walked us through the airport the culture shock was overwhelming. Due to the political situation in Cairo tourist numbers are low, this meant that asides from a handful of others we were not just the only white people but as a female I was the only one not in Muslim dress (covered head to toe). We were stared at like animals in a zoo. So to be guided straight into an awaiting car out front of the airport and onto our hotel was the hugest relief.

We chose not to stray too far from the hotel for safety and to avoid the 45 degree plus heat asides from visiting the sights with the safety and comfort of our tour group. For our first stop we drove to Sakkara to see the first pyramid ever built - The Step Pyramid of Djoser. Built in the 27th century BC means that unfortunately it is only still standing with some modern day construction surrounding it but it was still unbelievable to see. From there it was on to the The Great Pyramids of Giza which consists of 3 major pyramids, the Sphinx and a number of other smaller pyramids which were built for kings wives and children. Now this is a must see sight and of course we took every touristy picture under the sun. We also got a chance to see inside one of the pyramids which still boggles our mind - "did we really stand inside an actual Egyptian Pyramid??", unfortunately we couldn't take pictures inside so the memory could easily be confused as a dream.

The oldest pyramid!

Inside the tombs around the pyramid

The Great Pyramid of Giza

Couldn't leave without kissing the sphinx

We left Cairo on an overnight train and were ecstatic to see our hotel was right on the banks of the River Nile in Aswan. We visited the temple of Philae (built around 380 BC) and asides from the sheer magnificence of the temple itself we soon learned that due to flooding after a dam was built in the River Nile, the entire temple was dismantled and moved to a higher island in the 1960's!

The temple from the boat

Jay getting a bit excited

The Temple of Philae in all it's glory

We departed Aswan on board a Feluca boat on the Nile for what would have to be the highlight of our trip thus far ....

Quick hello from Egypt

Have been in Egypt for a week now with over 45 degree temperatures every day but am still loving (almost) every minute! We have been on a group tour so have been absolutely non stop but as soon as we can post about Egypt we will because we have ALOT to say. Have seen and done some amazing things and now we are off for dinner and drinks by the Red Sea, such a hard life ...

A short stop in Athens

As we were short for time we had 2 nights but only 1 full day in Athens so the best way to see it all and avoid the heat was on one of the Sight Seeing Tourist Buses. We jumped on board early in the morning and were able to hop off at all the main sights, highlights being the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. We also got a chance to walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens and wander through the Monastiraki market and still have time to have a traditional Greek lunch which of course consisted of Gyros and lots of Tatziki.

The Acropolis!

The city of Athens

Walking through the Botanical Gardens

Gyros for lunch

(We stated at Parnon hotel (booked through booking.com) which was centrally located and quite good value for money. We used the official big red sightseeing bus and tickets can be used for 48 hours)

Santorini day 3

We agreed to give our legs a rest today and hired a quad bike to explore the island. Our first stop was Kamari beach although upon arrival we discovered that a black pebble beach wasn't exactly the best place to be on a hot day and our feet paid the consequence so we had a quick swim in the water and then back on the quad to drive up a nearby mountain that had spectacular views of the island. We continued to scoot our way around before making our way along the steep winding road to Oia to catch the sunset. The tip of Oia is said to be one of the best places in the world to watch the sun set and how true that was. As the sun sank into the distant ocean it cast its magnificent rays and colours over the white houses nestled into the cliffs. It was one of those moments when you realize just how truly beautiful the world is and how lucky we are to be able to explore it and see amazing things such as this.

Safety first on the quad

Kisses at sunset

People waiting for the sun to go down

 

(We stayed at Hotel Thira (booked through booking.com) and hired our quad from Tony's located underneath the hotel. Can't recommend this hotel enough. It is my second time staying in this family run hotel and both times we have been looked after beyond words)

Santorini day 2

We awoke eager for an adventurous day on the island. We planned to walk from Fira to Oia (12km). We asked Tony who helps run the hotel for directions and we should have noticed the way he said "Really? Walking?" did not sound hopeful but we were determined so off we went. Asides from extreme chafing, heat exhaustion, sunburn and being covered in sweat it was one of the most amazing thing we have witnessed. The entire walk (asides from a few little detours) is along the edge of the caldera which means absolutely incredible views the entire way. Not once did we look out at the view without thinking "this is fucking amazing" (excuse the language). It was well worth the 4 hour walk and any amount of chaff we incurred. Would do it again but only if we could do it in the cooler months, with runners (not thongs), more appropriate clothing (anti-chaf) and when we are a lot fitter.

Smiling at the start of our walk

Jayden's sweaty back from the backpack!

Finally found the water

One of the things that we were looking forward to when arriving in Oia was swimming in Ammoudi bay. We were told to expect crystal clear water, a small island that you could swim to with a church perched on the middle and amazing views while you swim. As we reached Oia and saw the signs to the bay we didn't bat an eye lid as we walked down 206 large stairs (number TBC) to reach the water as all we could think of was diving in. It was after swimming as we packed up our things that we realized we now had to walk back up those stairs ... If this wasn't bad enough when we got to the stairs we looked up and saw nothing but smelly donkeys and their smelly poop lining the steps. But determined to reach the top again we made our way up only to be abruptly stopped by a donkey with a bad case of the runs sprayed across the path. Needless to say we decided to jump on the bus back to Fira and the comfort of our hotel and it's pool. Then after a quick (almost 5 hours) nana nap we popped to the local store to stock up on dips, bread, salami and a local delicacy of sardines in salt and oil which Jayden has surprisingly taken a liking to.

Santorini day 1

So we left London and all our tears behind and arrived on the Greek island of Santorini as the sun was rising. After checking in to our hotel we decided to make the most of the early morning (a rarity for Jay and I). After wandering around the town of Fira we both agreed that the rest of the day be dedicated to throwing ourselves full blown into holiday mode - tanning, sleeping, swimming and eating! We barely made it to sunset before we crawled into our bed that could have been 5 star standard in comparison to our dodgy bed back in London.

The view on our morning walk

In the hotel pool

Our cute little Hotel (Hotel Thira)

Beautiful sunset from Fira

Anzac Day in Turkey

So while we are on this side of the world we figured it would be a great opportunity to visit Anzac cove on Anzac day. So along with a group of friends (Ryan, Laura, Skye, Kelly, Lauren) and us, we organised the trip stopping in Istanbul on the way. Turns out it was one of the most amazing experiences of our life. Camping out in Anzac cove overnight surrounded by about ten thousand other Aussie's and Kiwi's with the looming cliffs behind and the glistening ocean ahead, the feeling cannot be explained in words.

Preparing to walk up to Lone Pine

At the Lone Pine service

Fun times in Istanbul

In front of the Aya Sofia