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The Nile by Felucca

Africa · November 2, 2012

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We think of time as a gift and travel as the ultimate way to spend it.

Even when we travel for long periods, we don't want to waste a single day not putting ourselves out there in this wide world to experience something new. Just thinking about lazing around sipping cocktails by the hotel pool is enough to cause me an ulcer. I've never quite seen the point of going somewhere to be anywhere.

However, there comes a time on extended travels that, no matter how much you try to pack in to every day, you just don't feel like doing much. And I don't mean, let's just walk around today. I'm all for getting lost in a city and wandering the streets without a plan. In fact, that is one of my favorite ways to explore a place. I mean the feeling I sometimes get after a few months of non-stop travel where a day by that hotel pool does sound appealing, only I would feel far too guilty to actually do it. Not that the kinds of places we usually stay at have a pool, but you get my drift.

The multitude of buses, trains and planes you take on a round the world trip do very little for your sleep patterns. Has anyone ever felt well-rested after a twenty-hour bus ride on the so-called “Most Dangerous Road in the World” or attempting to get some shut-eye on the floor of a train station in China?

However, it was in Egypt that we found the perfect way to have a couple of slow days while continuing our journey comfortably and satisfying our travel itch. It was taking a felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) up the Nile to Kom Ombo.

Starting in Aswan, we spent two days and two nights with “Boss”, “Captain Peebo” and four other travelers slowly floating up the longest river in the world. Sometimes in it too when Boss said there weren't any crocodiles, just “small” alligators.

That felucca was our temporary home. Our days were spent absorbing the view and the words from neglected books where it was not our watches but the position of the sun that was our time keeper.

We spent the early evenings on the banks cooking. Our most memorable meal in Egypt was on the second night when Boss and Captain Peebo docked to run off to a local market to get some camel meat to add to our stew. Quite tough even after extensive cooking but similar in taste and texture to beef.

We sat around chatting and playing cards under the stars of the Egyptian night sky before we were lulled into slumber on the open-air boat, quietly blending in with the scenery around us.

We think of time as a gift and travel as the ultimate way to spend it.

Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt

Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt

Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt
Before setting sail proper we stopped at the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island.
Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt
Then Elephantine Island…

Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt

Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt
“Captain Peebo”

Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt

Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt

Water buffalo, Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt

Sunset, Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt

Camel dinner, Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt
Camel dinner…

Camel dinner, Felucca Trip, The Nile, Egypt

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Filed Under: Africa Tagged With: egypt

Jessica Korteman

Jessica Korteman is an Australian travel writer, based in Tokyo, Japan. Never without a pen and paper, you'll most often find her delving into the world of festivals and culture.

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  1. GiggsMcGill Jill says

    November 3, 2012 at 5:46 am

    sounds wonderful!! Definitely relaxing! :) We only took an afternoon ride when I was in Egypt, I do wish it had gone on longer!

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      November 12, 2012 at 11:55 am

      So relaxing, isn’t it?! I think no matter how long the ride, it’s never long enough! :)

      Reply
  2. cravesadventure says

    November 2, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Great Shots – thanks for sharing – Happy Friday:)

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      November 12, 2012 at 11:49 am

      Thank you! And thanks so much for reading! Hope you’re having a good one! :)

      Reply
  3. Britt Skrabanek says

    November 2, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    A million things I love about this article! The tone of this post exudes your fond memory…it took me there. Loved the pic of you walking through the botanical gardens. Loved this, too…”We think of time as a gift and travel as the ultimate way to spend it.”

    In conclusion…loved it! : )

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      November 12, 2012 at 11:48 am

      Thanks so much, Britt! So glad that we could take you there with us through words and pictures. Might have to put that quote on a Pinterest board or something hahaha x

      Reply
  4. vwlovers says

    November 2, 2012 at 4:43 am

    So lucky to live the life you live. :)

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      November 12, 2012 at 11:44 am

      Dream it, live it :) Looking forward to following your adventures around Australia :)

      Reply
  5. Spiritual World Traveler says

    November 2, 2012 at 3:49 am

    What a wonderful journey! I took a short felucca ride and it was dreamy! I’m jealous! xoxoxo

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      November 12, 2012 at 11:39 am

      Hi Zully! Felucca is such a wonderful way to travel, isn’t it?! Let’s both dream of another felucca ride x

      Reply
      • Spiritual World Traveler says

        November 12, 2012 at 4:09 pm

        I’m in for another felucca ride!!!! So calm and peaceful…

        Reply
  6. RococoReport says

    November 2, 2012 at 1:55 am

    Wow, what a privilege to experience Egypt this way! Thanks for sharing and look forward to seeing more of your journeys. – xo, Rococo Girl

    Reply
    • Jessica Korteman says

      November 12, 2012 at 11:28 am

      Thank you, Rococo Girl! Certainly an amazing privilege and adventure – highly recommend it! x

      Reply

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