I am somewhat limited in ability to upload pictures from the Asiya Riverboat. They have asked us to limit wifi use from uploading all our pictures. I’ll see what I can do later.

Although the flight on the Boeing 777 -300 was not a first for the plane, it was a first for us on a B777, so I will start with that. Our Tour Leader, Caroline, is back from the cancellation of all tours following the revolution in Tahrir Square and this is her first tour of the season. We boarded an Egypt Air flight from Cairo to Luxor and found ourselves on an A220. Never hear of that plane from Airbus. The captain announced that this was the first commercial flight of the A220 on Egypt Air and this was the first A220 in the fleet. A double first.

We are sailing on Dahabia Asiya on the Nile. This boat was out of service for 7 years following the revolution and after a first season last year it has been completely renovated and we are the first group to travel on her. Caroline says it was not a very comfortable boat before although it was always a welcoming boat by the crew.  It is now a very comfortable boat with a very warm and welcoming crew. When we booked I chose the Suite option. Little did I know at the time that this is the entire stern of the boat. It is very spacious and we have the only access to the lower aft deck. Pictures when I can.

Sites seen since Karnac; Hotshipsut Temple, the Valley of the Kings with five tombs including Tutankhamen, Ramses VI and 3 others. OMG the colors in the Ramses Tomb are hard to believe and Tutankhamen’s mummy still resides in his tomb, well nearby in any event. Pictures were not permitted except for 10 pound baksheesh. Will post them all as a gallery. Luxor Temple late afternoon. and then today we took a balloon ride at 5 AM to greet the sunrise. After breakfast we boarded the bus to stop at a “small temple” then we boarded Dahabia Asiya for 5 days travel up the Nile to Aswan. I’m sure I missed something but will have plenty of time to make it up as we sail.