When the Cheshire emerges...

A year ago today I was in Aswan, Egypt, sailing on a felucca along the River Nile.

From my post at the time I didn't delve much into Egypt.

Egypt was loads of fun. Extremely hot even for early May, got to 52 degrees one day! Nuts. Sights were more and more impressive, two days on a felucca (boat) were incredibly relaxing besides the mozzie (and we think spider) bites I suffered. Only downside was the constant hassling from local men. I was glad to leave after the 9 days.

I didn't read that well enough before publishing it, seems contradictory to say it was loads of fun but glad to leave after nine days. But that's really how it was. I saw so many amazing temples but everything was so intense.

Visiting what is essentially a tourist-friendly Third World country I was struck by the extreme differences. Namely that I had to watch what I ate the whole time. I was scared at the first sight of our felucca food but quickly realised these guys knew what we could handle. It was some of the best traditional food I've ever had anywhere.

The felucca was amazing. Eight of us tourists, tour guide George and the three locals steering us along - we all became a very happy family. We relaxed, I caved and risked putting my body in the Nile (but not my head, didn't want my mouth touching the water), stuffed ourselves stupid with EVERY meal because we could, and on shore played soccer with locals before singing around a bonfire.

I also swallowed what pride I had and peed in darkness on the riverbank, and got eaten alive by what we could only assume was a spider. I still have a darkish circle on the front of my left foot. But what some saw as a risk to choose over a cruise liner paid off and I wouldn't change it for the world.

***
Egypt was also interesting because I visited three months after the January 25 revolution. The people were happy but so unsure of where their new government would come from, and how long it would take for stability. On completing a long bus trip we discover Osama Bin Laden was killed. But the men were the hardest thing to deal with as a woman. Modest dress makes no difference. That was the final straw and I was somewhat relieved to get on the outgoing plane.

Soon after the felucca I would be going to the Valley of the Kings which was very impressive. I don't have photos of any tombs here but these are other photos that sum up my Topdeck nine-day trip.

First in a series of six which I deem to be the funniest photo series EVER

This photo is entered in the Qatar Reflections competition. Vote for me!*

Travel-related emails are totally worth keeping around, less traumatic than physical letters. I've entered two photos in this awesome Qatar Airways competition where they want you to upload your best travel photo. There's four categories and some of the photos so far are just beautiful.

I've uploaded these two not because they're the most striking photos ever but because they represent my journey from last year and show the exuberance of a culture.

Photo one is my 'money shot' from the Royal Wedding, which completely came by surprise but it's one to show the grandkids.

Vote here

The second is one I took in Egypt, the central object striking me to see just how proud of the January 25 revolution they were. You can really stamp your approval in such a simple way.

Vote here

You can vote for me through either photo in the Qatar Reflections comp by following the links. The more votes, the bigger chance I'll have to win a flight somewhere magical and be able to tell you guys all about it :)