Page 73 - WDT Magazine Egypt

“The Nile River is the lifeline of some 90 million human beings, it is the focal point of
Egyptian urban planning, an incredible 4,160 mile gift of sustenance for Egypt and
three other countries, making it the longest, and arguably most vital, river in the world.”

Mohamed helped us learn local customs so that we
wouldn’t offend, how to deal with pushy shopkeep-
ers and where to get cold drinks. Our trusty guide
was well prepared; even carrying a stash of non-pre-
scription aid to relieve the most common traveler ills.
We Pharaohs, as he called our group, felt like royalty
in his capable hands.
As important as your guide is choosing the right
ship to sail the Nile. Unfortunately, because of the
dramatic drop in tourism in recent years, many pas-
senger ships plying the Nile suffer from deferred
maintenance and minimal, undertrained staffing. It’s
critical that you do your homework before booking.
On our journey down the Nile, passengers in others
ships often gazed wistfully at our ornately decorated
ship, The Sonesta St. George. The décor gave the air
of a floating Versailles, but the spotless vessel with
47 cabins and 10 suites was comfortable and well-
maintained, and the crew was friendly and helpful.
We also found our fellow passengers to be decern-
ing, experienced travelers who didn’t let sandstorms
or 120-degree heat dampen their enthusiasm. They
also enjoyed being with like-minded amiable folks
– it’s remarkable how you can make fast friends in
just five days when you’re all in the same boat. Com-
munal evenings featuring adult beverages certainly
helped forge those bonds.

The ornately decorated Sonesta St
George, our ride from Luxor to Aswan
and facinating points in between.

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