The morning was spent on the computer, updating the blog and processing images. Then I was driven to the Deir el-Bahri ticket office to get a ticket for the two open tombs at Assassif, adjacent to the causeway on the south-west side.
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Today I visited the exterior of Luxor Temple to photograph the Akhenaten Temple Project block store. There was very little visible from the Corniche. After the obligatory Stella at Sindbad's I moved on to "Egypt Moving Forward".
Having sorted out the problem with my outgoing email over breakfast, I headed for the Valley of the Queens at 11:30 so that Tayaeb could get to Friday prayers from 12:00 to 13:00. A couple of small coaches and taxis in the car park, so I was expecting a quiet visit. The usual hassle between the ticket office and the security point.
I'll start by providing brief headings, and fill in some detail later. My outgoing mail has not been working, but my ISP gave me enough help to solve the problem, so now I can reply without resorting to this Blog or to MES.
My driver, Tayaeb Hassan, was so pleased to meet me at the airport. He has had absolutely no custmers for 27 days. When he could not pay his taxes, he was told, "do not to worry - pay them later, when you have some money". This would not have been the reaction under the old administration!
Foul weather in Birmingham, but the minibus from the hotel was on time. The other 2 people using it were also going to Luxor for a week, but will be staying at Iberotel.
The flight with Thomson had 205 seats taken, 30 free, which was a very good result for them. Tail wind so arrived a few minutes early. Tuesday night I stayed at the Britannia Coventry Hill hotel off the A45. 1 night room only + 8 days parking for £59, and return fare in minibus to airport, £5 per person.
The rooms are a bit dated - including a 15A round pin socket, but they are large, comfortable and quiet. I hope to attend the following event next Saturday, and report back. "Egypt Moving Forward"
The Garstang Museum is part of the Institute of Archæology at the University of Liverpool. It is open on Wednesdays between 14:00 and 17:00, but will open at other times by prior request. So five of us visited it at 10:00 on Tuesday morning because a school party was booked in for the afternoon.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has today changed its advice so that travel to Luxor is no longer discouraged. But what is the effect for travellers? Thomson, Thomas Cook, Monarch and easyJet are the main airlines that fly directly from the UK to Luxor, and all have some flights in the next few weeks. This is high season in Egypt, and half term in England will be in the next 2 weeks. It is to be expected that a lot of seats and packages have already been sold. Those with seats will no longer be able to cancel and get their money back as a result of this FCO advice even if they would prefer not to travel. I would expect many to travel, rather than losing the whole cost of their holidays. There are still seats available on these flights, and if there are cancellations then there will be more seats on offer. At the moment these seats are not being significantly discounted, but it is possible that there will be little demand from last-minute travellers. It is possible that very significant reductions will be made, right up to the last minute. The links to the relevant web-sites are: easyJet Thomson Monarch Thomas Cook The basic prices could easily come down to £150.00 return and might even approach the £100.00 mark as the airlines try to fill the last few seats. Hold baggage, meals, transfers and accommodation will be extra, if required. Try the Luxor West Bank web site for details of hotels, with prices from about £10.00 p.p.p.n. including breakfast. These hotels are locally owned so you will be directly benefitting the local economy. Basic price for flight on 23rd Feb. from Birmingham to Luxor (return) is:
(15 Feb) £249.00 (7 nights) £319.00 (14 nights) (17 Feb) £179.00 (7 nights) £259.00 (14 nights) (19 Feb) £199.00 (7 nights) £259.00 (14 nights) - why has it gone up? Manchester flights are 179/209 the same dates. |
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February 2023
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