{"id":1696,"date":"2023-11-09T06:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T06:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/?p=1696"},"modified":"2024-12-09T04:11:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T04:11:29","slug":"hitting-the-ground-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/09\/hitting-the-ground-running\/","title":{"rendered":"Hitting the Ground Running"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Activity level: \ud83c\udf36\ufe0f\ud83c\udf36\ufe0f\ud83c\udf36\ufe0f\ud83c\udf36\ufe0f\ud83c\udf36\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modes of transportation: \ud83d\udc5f\ud83d\ude82\ud83d\ude90\ud83d\udea2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3657-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3657-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3657-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3657-1.jpg 975w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Woke up to this view from the train &#8211; it was a beautiful day! If only the windows were clean&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We woke up in a slight panic that we had missed our stop (we didn\u2019t), but that was the jolt we needed to be awake. Our train guy? (For lack of a better term) asked us to settle up for the tea from the day before. That\u2019s when we learned our second lesson from Egypt: don\u2019t expect change if you don\u2019t explicitly ask for it (even when the \u201ctip\u201d is much larger than the bill).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3654-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3654-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3654-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3654-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3654.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We had almost no room to pack and unpack, but that\u2019s trail life baby.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sarah hadn\u2019t slept well on the train. She woke up in the middle of the night to loud mechanical squeaking noises from the jostling of the train. She had the disastrous realization that she drank too much tea and desperately needed to use the bathroom despite Eric&#8217;s warnings. She made a dash for it and raced down the bunk to find her shoes. Unfortunately, it was too dark and too small of space, so there were no shoes in sight. She made a tough call and ran down the hallway for the toilet without shoes. She opened the door to find&#8230; the bathroom floor completely wet, so she had to go back and find her shoes. Luckily, she eventually made it, but that might have been the worst bathroom on the trip, and that includes the car camper with no toilet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We were looking forward to getting to the cruise so we could shower and relax before our tour started in the afternoon (the train had no shower). We were surprised to see our guide, Ashraf, and a driver waiting at the station to pick us up to start our full day tour\u2026..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6506-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6506-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6506-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6506-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6506.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>First, we started at the Temple of Luxor. Ashraf said it wasn\u2019t the largest, but it was \u201cnice in its own way.\u201d We thought it was awesome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3661-1-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3661-1-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3661-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3661-1-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3661-1.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">LUXOR TEMPLE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3664.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The video provides a better scale than the photos (editors note: now that we have better internet, we\u2019re going to upload more videos).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The highlight for Eric was the statue of King Ramses II (the \u201cbig deal\u201d one) with an individual list of all of his enemies on his statue under his foot (\u201chere lie all my haters\u201d). Also, they\u2019ve done an amazing job at restoring the temple to its original splendor\u2014and our guide was one of the people who worked on it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6507-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6507-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6507-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6507-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6507.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is a statue of Ramses II sitting on this throne of \u201chis haters.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3670-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3670-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3670-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3670-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3670.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our guide told us to touch this wall for good luck on our honeymoon. We\u2019re still not sure why.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3682-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3682-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3682-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3682-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3682.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This temple was covered in hieroglyphics! Quite the change from the pyramids in Giza.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, we went to the Temple of Karnak, the largest ancient temple in Egypt. It was almost too massive, but it had so much inscription and so many ornate carvings that it was spectacular. We ended up having to sit down in a random untraversed corner when our guide gave us \u201cfree time\u201d just to relax a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/img_3700.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This was actually a 1.5 minute long video, but our brains were mush so we just cut it to the end.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3695-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3695-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3695-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3695-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3695.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This temple was extremely huge but eventually was very crowded. We see why so many want to visit. Every king of ancient Egypt from 1971 BC until 30 BC contributed to the construction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3712-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3712-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3712-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3712-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3712.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many kings wrote their stories on these massive pylons over the 1500 years of active development of the temple. There are 134 pylons lined up in 16 rows in the Great Hypostyle Hall (pictured).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3706-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3706-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3706-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3706-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3706.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The temple grounds are roughly 200 acres. We were pretty tired though, so we didn\u2019t get to much of it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"974\" height=\"974\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3699-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3699-edited.jpg 974w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3699-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3699-edited-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3699-edited-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 974px) 100vw, 974px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The grounds are actively being restored. They now use computer imaging to help map piles of ruins (pictured) to recreate sections of the temple. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"937\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3714-1024x937.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3714-1024x937.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3714-300x275.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3714-768x703.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3714.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dozens of Sphynx rams with Ramses II line the entry to the temple.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There was also one benefit to starting early: the site was empty when we got there. We didn\u2019t realize how lucky we were. By the time we left, it was absolutely swarming with people (apparently the tours get there at 9:30, so it was all at once).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3717-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3717-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3717-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3717-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3717.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We were so excited to see our boat! Sarah booked it two days prior. Since it was so last minute, the company we reached out to was able to give us a great deal. We didn\u2019t realize how great until we went on board (although the private tour escort and car pickup from the train should have been an indicator).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>From there, we finally got a break. We went back to the boat to check into our room and eat lunch. But first, we showered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3721-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3721-767x1024.jpg 767w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3721-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3721-768x1025.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3721.jpg 974w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A shower and a toilet that could flush toilet paper\u2014Sarah was in heaven.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lunch was an amazing spread and we felt the need to try everything (someone had told us this boat has the best food, though we learned that after booking). It was well worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/44f41d05-f760-44f3-891b-7494565b8a32-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/44f41d05-f760-44f3-891b-7494565b8a32-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/44f41d05-f760-44f3-891b-7494565b8a32-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/44f41d05-f760-44f3-891b-7494565b8a32-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/44f41d05-f760-44f3-891b-7494565b8a32-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/44f41d05-f760-44f3-891b-7494565b8a32-1.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pictures don\u2019t do it justice but the lunch buffet was insane on this cruise. We think we might have accidentally booked too nice of a cruise for us (we were also the youngest onboard by at least 40 years).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After that it was time to chill. We went up on the top deck to enjoy the views, and Sarah took a nap (while Eric napped in the room). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"974\" height=\"974\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3730-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3730-edited.jpg 974w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3730-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3730-edited-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3730-edited-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 974px) 100vw, 974px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eric hunting for the shadiest cabana before giving up and napping in the room. Sarah woke up extremely dehydrated but luckily not sunburned.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3741-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3741-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3741-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3741-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3741.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As we were exploring the boat, we also ran into the captain, who insisted on giving us a tour of the bridge. He told us he was never formally trained in sailing a boat. Hopefully we don\u2019t have a titanic situation on the Nile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We were so tired from getting so little sleep that we slept on and off until dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3732-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3732-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3732-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3732-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_3732.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Full speed ahead! Just kidding we stayed docked the first night. Apparently Aswan isn\u2019t that far from Luxor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was about this time that Eric thought it would be a good idea to leave the boat and pick up a few essentials (ie Sarah ran out of conditioner in India and hadn\u2019t been able to find any). Immediately after disembarking from the boat, a man approached Eric telling him he worked for the boat and could show him the spice market if he wanted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eric definitely met a scammer. He \u201chelped\u201d Eric buy the conditioner for only a few dollars \u201ctip\u201d on top. Eric expected that. What he didn\u2019t expect is that the pharmacist would (at least) triple the price of the conditioner. That\u2019s when Eric learned the third lesson of Egypt: everyone will \u201cscam\u201d you because they expect you to negotiate with them. Even pharmacists. Also that conditioner was at least 3 years old, but it seemed like it still functioned (Side note: it\u2019s better than what happened to an Australian man we met on the hot balloon tour, who had the same experience only to get home and find out the hair spray he had bought for his wife was empty).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6520-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6520-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6520-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6520-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6520.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The spice man. We don\u2019t think he was telling the truth about working on the boat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile Sarah got to enjoy the sunset\u2026  until an hour went by and no sign of Eric. Her iPhone just so happened to glitch and sign out of her account too so she couldn\u2019t send or receive text messages. Then it got dark and she got really worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"974\" height=\"974\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3747-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3747-edited.jpg 974w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3747-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3747-edited-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_3747-edited-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 974px) 100vw, 974px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sunset on the Nile! Things got scarier a few minutes later when it was dark out and no Eric in sight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6521-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2090\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6521-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6521-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6521-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/img_6521.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eric returned with bags full of spices! Sarah took a look at the Saffron and couldn\u2019t smell a thing. Guess the shop must have switched the ingredients on Eric. Luckily he didn\u2019t spend more than $20.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For dinner, we had to order a la cart. We both selected the Egyptian dish, which was stuffed quail. The appetizers, soup, and dessert were also delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/c384121c-e094-4c0b-b602-3ff28e7abf02-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/c384121c-e094-4c0b-b602-3ff28e7abf02-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/c384121c-e094-4c0b-b602-3ff28e7abf02-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/c384121c-e094-4c0b-b602-3ff28e7abf02-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/c384121c-e094-4c0b-b602-3ff28e7abf02-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/c384121c-e094-4c0b-b602-3ff28e7abf02-1.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We couldn\u2019t believe we had 4 more days of this cruise food!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our guide messaged us asking if we wanted to go on an unforgettable sunrise hot air balloon tour the next day. The catch: we needed to be up at 3:30am. Before deciding, we reflected on the past 3 nights\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We left India for a 30 hour layover in Riyadh and toured the city, then had a late night flight into Cairo where we woke up early for a full day excursion of the pyramids and ended the day on a sleeper train to Luxor, which we woke up and walked off into today\u2019s tour and first day of the Nile cruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We decided to book the hot air balloon tour for the next day at 3:30 AM and went to sleep early. We were regretting it immediately. We can rest when we get back to the States! (Editor\u2019s note: nope, maybe in the new year). <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sarah and Eric disembark from the sleeper train and immediately begin their 4 day archeological tour down the Nile<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2080,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[42],"class_list":["post-1696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-egypt","tag-luxor"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1696"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1696\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3573,"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1696\/revisions\/3573"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarahanderictraveltheworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}