Once passed these, travelators started appearing, and they were running in my direction. Long gaps between them, but at least I was making progress, and I was not alone. About 8 travelators later I arrived at Gate 201, the very last one at that end of the airport. Boarding was in progress, so I soon found myself, hot and sweaty and aching in places I did not know existed. The flight was completely full - an airbus 221-300 if memory serves. At least my neighbour in the next seat was of small build, even if she did hog the armrest. And she did not complain about the sweaty pig beside her. It took me a long time to cool down, catch my breath, etc.
Because of the change of gate departure was delayed by about 15 minutes, but we caught this up later as we had a good tailwind. There was a full meal service, but I decided to skip it - the tables on this plane were too big to accommodate my girth and I didn't fancy the juggling thatwould have been needed. Anyway, who wants another full meal at 0130? So I tried out the freshly squeezed orange juice, and a selection of the red wines. I steered clear of the Raki, as I wanted a clear head for the drive to Luxor. We arrived at the new Hurghada International airport on time at 0305. They have some air-bridges, but probably only for military and VIP flights, so we coached to the terminal. Why did we then have to trek about 400 yards to the main arrival area, where there were many banks for those needing to buy a visa. We had to complete landing cards before passing through immigration - the flight had run out of the card for foreigners. But the agents and staff in that area were being very helpful, no hassle from them!
Luggage was already on the carousel by the time I got there. My bag was hiding behind two large heavy bags at the far side of the belt - it took 3 revolutions before I got somebody to reach it for me.
Customs checked our passports, Saw I was on a multiple entry visa, asked if I had anything to declare, lifted my bag to judge the weight, and then waved my through.
The drivers of private cars, such as I had ordered from Petra Travel, were waiting outside on the forecourt. Ahmed had my name on a board, said hello, and took my bag the last 200 yards to where he was parked. A very comfortable automatic Kia. I started in the back, at least as far as the Safaga police check point, which we passed after 0430. Nobody there, or anywhere else on the road to Qena, seemed interested in stopping us. So much for a "heightened security presence" and night-time curfew on this road. At the service area half way to Qena I moved to the front seat for the rest of the journey. Ahmed seemed to drive faster as we got nearer to Luxor.
At Qena they have now finished work on the majorbridge over the railway which saved us half an hour when compared with 2013. We slowed down at the Dendera Temple checkpoint, but after that it was full speed ahead across the desert road. We were in time to see 3 balloons in the sky, although there may have been more about to rise.
It was still very early when we arrived at Sheherazade - so early that the front door was still locked and I had ro knock loudly and repeatedly. I don't think there were any guests this morning. I decided that, it being only 0730 (ish) I would catch up on sleep, so I crashed out for a few hours. I will continue Day 2 in a separate post.