Orphan pictures, that is. I hadn't forgotten about these, but they somehow just didn't make it into any of the Blogs I've done so far on this visit. I hope that at least some of you find them of a little interest.
And here we go!
Firstly, one or two shots taken at the Marriott Hotel, where we spent our first Egyptian night in almost two years. It was a bit pricey for just an overnight stop, but it came recommended and we didn't want to end up in some flea pit!
Mind, I suppose that ladies, who are often the most critical, might not even have noticed those missing!
We travelled across the desert to Luxor in a GoBus coach, and I would recommend this mode of transport to anyone! I found it much better than the private transfers which we've taken before. Better ride quality, more room to move, and better views. And that's without the certain knowledge that, in the event of a collision, you're always safer in a larger vehicle. I was rather taken by the other traffic on the road, especially the heavy goods vehicles. What was that about having only red lights showing to the rear?
So, that more or less brings us the the place we love, that's right, Dear Reader; Luxor, and in particular; Our Luxor, where we'll really feel that we have arrived and can settle in comfort once again! Of course, Luxor was in the throws of preparing for the Grand Opening! (Of the Sphinkes Road.)
"Surely, that's not it?" I can hear you exclaim. No, that's a shot of them re-surfacing the Corniche in preparation for the world's dignitaries. Except that it's not! It's some sort of viscous black paint, to make the road look fresh, I did notice that the zebra crossings had been masked off beforehand. By the time that they'd renewed the white and yellow lines, you couldn't tell, honestly!
Of course, we had been warned that we'd find everything in Luxor in a state of flux! We knew that the Winter Palace, along with everything else which was facing a main road, was being given a fresh coat of paint, and the surrounding pavements were renewed and planted with lovely flower arrangements and the like.
When we arrived at the hotel, we were surprised to see a gang of men heaving on a rope, leading skywards!
A similar scene was spied at the St Joseph Hotel in "Little Britain":
Of course, there were the ongoing and seemingly never ending rehearsals every night, with the lasers beaming through till dawn and also the singing practises going on till all hours.
Being the nosiest couple in Luxor that I know about, meant that we had to venture out to the Old Winter Palace on the day of the festivities, just to see who was who and what was where, you know?
On the way, we stopped to peer over the low wall, near the Emilio Hotel at the bottom of our street, which encloses the Avenue. I got this little video, which includes the three Solar Barques to be used in the procession. They look as if they're mounted on tea trolleys! What do you think, Dear Reader?
In the foyer of the OWP (where anybody who's anybody can be seen) we came across a lady who was alone, she was Macedonian! I've never met anyone from there before!
After spending far too much time over tea, coffee and conversation, we were eventually asked (most apologetically, I must add) to move into the bar. Obviously they were expecting someone even more important than Mr and Mrs Edward! In conversation with Mr Ahmed (the hotel VIP butler) he told us that he wasn't yet sure whether President El Sisi was staying with them or not, as the decision is always taken at the very last minute, for security purposes.
When we left the hotel, we crossed over the deserted Corniche El Nil to view the Nile. I've never ever seen it so.... empty!
Later on, we ventured out yet again, ever hopeful of seeing some of the festivities from the low wall of the Avenue of Sphinkes at the bottom of our street. There were policemen of one sort or another very few yards (or maybe even metres, them being Egyptian!) but no-one seemed too interested in two old kawadgers (a term often applied to tourists, but which really refers to invaders, or conquerors, or so I'm told) nor the old Egyptian man and his wife who were also tourists, but from Cairo.
However! After a short while, we were asked to move away from the wall. The Egyptian tourist's protests didn't cut any ice, I fear, and we had to make do with standing on the pavement at the end of the Emilio building. Mind you, a kindly youth, from a shop around the corner, insisted that he would bring us two chairs, as he recognised me from when we bought the beautiful Guest Apartment livingroom carpet from his father Mr Magdi, 16 or so years ago. Good memories these blokes!
But, after another short while, the forces of Law and Order decided that we old codgers were still a real and present threat to the combined security apparatus of The People's Republic of Egypt. And we were moved on again, this time as far back as Chez Omar's Garden Restaurant. We were unceremoniously dragged in there by one of the identical twin owners, and had cool fresh lemon drinks forced upon us! (Isn't life hard?) The café has been revamped for the umpteenth time and looks lovely!
They seem to have taken in some sort of partner/chef (that's him, standing next to the grill) and are now doing take-aways as well as the sitting down trade. I hope it all goes well for them, they're a canny bunch whom we've known for 20 odd years.
The other couple eventually came and joined us and we talked, drank hot chocolate, and watched the live TV of the Grand Opening until we were bored to tears with all the pre-amble and the dancing and singing. Then we went home to watch the real stuff on the laptop. It was great! At the end was the firework display, which we actually watched and heard from our roof terrace. We managed to catch most of it on camera, just for you, Dear Reader.
I think that's all for just now, I'm worn out, but I'll see you soon, insh'Allah!
Hi both hope your well, that certainly was a fireworks display.
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