AFRICA 4

In Nairobi we have lunch on an outdoor patio,

Visit Karen Blixin's home and then we're on the go

To feed giraffes that slobber on your hands, but they're so cute.

Then see the children's art work and hear a talk to boot.

We have dinner at the hotel and try to get some sleep

Before 1:30 wake up call, when we hit the street.

No traffic in the wee hours!  Our check-in goes real smooth.

Then sit around and wait and wait until they say to move.

A five hour flight to Cairo, we get our breakfast served,

Try to catch a few winks, before we come unnerved.

A day rest at the Movenpick and then we take a tour

Of Heliopolis where we see architecture like the moors.

Back on a plane to Luxor where we will spend the night.

Next day would be a full day of seeing all the sights.

The Valley of the Kings was where we first began.

Three tombs we saw of many, I'll name them if I can.

Ramses the III and then the IX, the VII was the last,

The colors were so vivid, depicting Egypt's past.

The Valley of the Queens was next, but no queen did we see.

The tomb of the most interest, was of Nefertite,

But they have never found her tomb, we settle for a child.

And in one a mummified fetus.  Is that not too wild?!

Another child of Ramses was in the third we saw.

Kids buried with their moms.  It seemed to be the law.

The day had started rather cool, our jackets we did wear.

By 10 AM we took them off, the weather was so fair.

Noon found us on a river boat to enjoy our lunch.

And then a talk by Manal to educate the bunch.

At Karnak Temple we're in awe

Of statues huge and columns tall.

Luxor Temple's not so big but beautiful columns down the hall,

Intricate carvings on the wall and on the obelisks so tall.

It's on to Esna on our bus

To board our river boat with no fuss.

Dinner in the dining room, then entertainment too.

Whirling Dervish and belly dance were done for me and you.

We overnight in Esna and sail at half past one.

We have a day of leisure to sit out in the sun.

In the afternoon we gathered, 'round the deck we sat

And learned more history from Manal and then we had a chat.

Before dinner the Captin had a reception for one and all.

It wasn't long after that, we heard the dinner call.

From seafood cocktail to cheese souffle'

To veal piccato and to make our day

Crepes Suzettes flaming in the pan.

Then parading in was the marching band

Of chefs and waiters with a great big cake

For the honeymoon couple, for goodness sake.

While some playhed bingo, others read.

Still others decided to go to bed.

We dock at Edfu for the night,

And learn of Horus and his plight.

We visit his temple, the most complete,

With intricate carvings from head to feet.

With Manal leading us through it all,

We read hieroglyphics on the wall.

Back to the boat, we sail upstream

Enjoying the views of which we dream.

Another tasty lunch buffet,

We're stuffing our faces three times a day.

The air is cool, the sun is warm.

The River Nile has lots of charm.

Chris took us to see the bridge of the boat.

The pilot was steering as the river we float.

We each took a turn in his seat to steer.

Or so in our pictures, it would appear.

Manal gives a briefing with tea at four

Before Komn Ombo where we go ashore.

It's just a short distance and we walk up the hill.

There's not much still standing but we get a thrill.

This temple's unique as it honors two gods.

One left, one right, like peas in a pod.

In this port the boats are lined up three deep.

We walk through two others whose foyers all meet.

They shifted around while we were all gone.

Upon our return two more boats were along.

So now we can say on six boats we have been,

Afloat on the Nile.  Sorta makes you grin.

We all dressed up in our new Egyptian clothes

For dinner and the party, and for those

Brave enough to play the games and dance,

Had a great time for taking the chance.

We departed next morn to see the old dam,

Then on to Lake Nasser and the High Aswan Dam.

A boat ride to the island where Philea Temple was moved

When lake waters were swamping it and they proved

You can accomplish a lot with the right motivation.

It took them six years, but what a sensation.

They even took dirt and trees from the site

To make it just like the original site.

Later we stop where papyrus is made.

A quick demonstration and our purchases paid.

After lunch we all took a felucca ride.

The sails billowed out until the wind died.

We see the hilltop where the Aga Kahn's buried

And tack around Elephantine Island unharried.

Our final night's dinner is jovial this night.

Then we pack for our next morning's early flight.

After breakfast we leave, to Abu Simbel we fly

To see the gigantic statues that rise so high.

These, too, were moved when the High Dam was built.

Otherwise it would be covered with water and silt.

Words can't exress how magnificent they are.

And the carvings inside are the best by far.

After our brief visit we're back on the plane.

We fly back to Aswan and Cairo again.

It's dark when we check in, we're hungry and tired.

A meal on our own at the hotel, inside.

The coffee's so strong that I am revived,

And we take a walk near the hotel outside.

Next day it is foggy, the pyramids obscured.

A big disappointment but we are assured

The fog will lift when the sun warms the air.

So after awhile, the viewing is fair.

We go see the Solar Boat to kill some time.

Some ride a camel and then it's time

To go see the Sphinx, that mighty beast,

Half man, half lion and to say the least

It's so enormous and so very old,

It's nose and beard destroyed by someone bold.

On the way to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid,

A brief stop at Memphis to see what Ramses did.

Then a quick stop to see how carpet is hand made.

They're really quite beautiful, but big price must be paid.

As darkness approaches, we head back to Giza

For Sound and Light show after tasting a pizza.

The night air is cool and clear for the view

Of the pyramids and Sphinx like the morning never knew.

Next day was a trip to Egyptian Museum

To see the antiquities.  The lighting was dim.

From there we explored the Spiritual Cairo,

The Hanging Church and a Coptic one, BenEzra and some more,

Mohomed Ali Mosque with its alabaster walls,

Beautiful mosaic ceilings in the central halls,

A stop at El Khalili Bazaar for those who like to shop.

Then back to the hotel, we go for our final stop.

At our farewell dinner we say good-bye to those who are going home.

For tomorrow some of us go to Jordan and there continue to roam.

This is the forth chapter in my recent trip to Africa.  The post trip to Jordan will follow.