ID :
156817
Tue, 01/11/2011 - 16:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/156817
The shortlink copeid
THE MAGIC OF THE NILE MESMERISES MALAYSIAN VISITORS
ASWAN, Jan 11 (Bernama) - "Aswan is 1,000 kilometres from Cairo. You can
take a train or plane to Luxor and then take the 4 nights/5 days River Nile
cruise to Aswan and then back to Cairo by air or land", a staff at a tour agency
in Cairo told potential visitors to Aswan and Luxor, two other famous cities for
tourism in Egypt.
Dalia Khayrat has been working in the tourism industry for more than four
years and does her best for her clients.
Her pleasant personality makes first time visitors to Egypt happy and
satisfied besides convincing them to take up a package with her travel agency.
"The train trip to Aswan takes about 13 hours and the cost for a sleeping
berth space is US$60 one way", Dalia went on to quote.
The train makes its way to Aswan at 8 pm and arrives at its destination the
following morning, in time to catch the cruise which opens its doors at 12 noon
every Friday in Aswan.
THE ORCHESTRA
The Nile River cruise provides a wonderful avenue to experience the wealth
of Egyptian history and culture.
So more than 30 Malaysians were on board the Orchestra cruise liner for a
four day cruise on the Nile, including the writer herself, from 17-20 Dec last
year.
The Orchestra has more than 60 rooms and its restaurant located on the
lowest level, serves different cuisines four times a day.
Settling into the twin sharing cabins on the ship was an interesting moment
for people who have never stepped on board a ship of five decks.
The cruise checked in its passengers on a Friday at noon in Aswan but only
set sail the next day around 1.30 in the afternoon. This enabled its passengers
to go around Aswan on Friday night and enjoy the town on their own or with the
pre-arranged tour guide.
The arranged tours would certainly include highlights of the Aswan High Dam,
either by night or by day, the lake Nasr, the temple on Philea island and the
unfinished Obelisk, just to name a few.
For those interested to buy a souvenir or two as well as some Egyptian
cotton, visiting the Egyptian bazaar, the Nubian market and other small shops in
and around Aswan by horse carriage is their choice.
However, since the weather was pleasant, cool and dry in the winter months
of December, walking around with a few stops to mingle with the locals is a good
option to consider as well.
The Orchestra was originally a 4 star cruise liner but due to its long
service on the Nile and probably over used, it was reduced to only 3 star in
2010.
"You are very lucky to be passengers of the Orchestra, especially if you
have made bookings just recently. We are fully booked every week. My company is
leasing this ship with its crew and maintenance staff. We just take care of the
F&B and the operation of the ship according to schedule", Ahmed, the manager
told passengers from Malaysia.
THE CRUISE
A Malaysian, Zakaria Omar, who has traveled on cruise liners to Phuket and
Singapore though not pleased with what Orchestra had to offer found the Nile
mesmerising.
"The Nile is a great experience, an eye opener especially when the water
level drops at the Watergates after Esna, 100 kilometres from Luxor. A great
experience there", said this smartly dressed gentleman.
The temples at Kom Ombo island and that of the God Horus in Edfu were
interesting and a sight to behold.
"There are so many temples to visit here in Egypt. We visit them and get to
understand about their history, interesting and a real eye opener. All this
while we used to see and hear about them from magazines and the television
documentaries aired occasionally. Now I have seen them in person. Intriguing and
a life-long experience", said Siti Halija, a teacher from Kluang, who was
accompanied by her husband on the visit to Egypt.
THE MAGNIFICIENT TEMPLES
The Kom Ombo temple by night was certainly a beautiful sight.
Packed with visitors from more than 10 ships stopping for the 2 hour visit,
nightfall by 6 pm enabled the historical sight enthusiasts to experience a
lighted visit.
The temples were mostly divided into various sections, namely the open court
where common people were allowed to enter in the ancient days, then came the
inner court I and II where the Pharaoh's and their Queens would present their
gifts to the Gods.
The walls of these temples have beautifully hand drawn hieroglyphic on them,
narrating the story of the Gods and Kings in the era they were built and
dedicated to.
THE NILE EXPERIENCE
The 200 kilometre stretch allocated for the Nile experience was a very
interesting one. Visitors not only got to see the historical remnants left
behind by the great Pharaohs along Nile but also the life of its people living
along its banks, not much different from the ancient days.
There were many people fishing for a living in small sampan-like boats along
the river near their villages which were all green. The water from the Nile is
used to irrigate the farmlands.
Sugar cane is planted in large patches alternated with grazing fields for
cows, goats and camels. Donkeys are seen in abundance on farms and on the
streets, burdened with goods on its back or pulling carriages behind them, led
to the market and trading areas by their owners.
"Hey look, there is a donkey stranded on that island-like stretch beside our
ship. Must have been naughty", Aziz Md. Aris, another Malaysian on the cruise,
pointed out from the top deck prompting the kids running on the deck to stop and
take a look.
With the cold wind blowing strongly on the upper deck as the ship moved
forward to its next destination, the Orchestra had her passengers sitting up in
the open to enjoy the half bright desert sun.
The view was breathtaking.
Enjoying the Nile in the dim sunlight, green banks along the river and the
refreshing cold air, while waiting for dusk to fall was surely a pleasant
experience to cherish.
And watching the sun set in the most beautiful setting, while basking and
sipping coffee on the top deck, it is surely a breathtaking and enchanting
moment to remember and share forever.
-- BERNAMA
take a train or plane to Luxor and then take the 4 nights/5 days River Nile
cruise to Aswan and then back to Cairo by air or land", a staff at a tour agency
in Cairo told potential visitors to Aswan and Luxor, two other famous cities for
tourism in Egypt.
Dalia Khayrat has been working in the tourism industry for more than four
years and does her best for her clients.
Her pleasant personality makes first time visitors to Egypt happy and
satisfied besides convincing them to take up a package with her travel agency.
"The train trip to Aswan takes about 13 hours and the cost for a sleeping
berth space is US$60 one way", Dalia went on to quote.
The train makes its way to Aswan at 8 pm and arrives at its destination the
following morning, in time to catch the cruise which opens its doors at 12 noon
every Friday in Aswan.
THE ORCHESTRA
The Nile River cruise provides a wonderful avenue to experience the wealth
of Egyptian history and culture.
So more than 30 Malaysians were on board the Orchestra cruise liner for a
four day cruise on the Nile, including the writer herself, from 17-20 Dec last
year.
The Orchestra has more than 60 rooms and its restaurant located on the
lowest level, serves different cuisines four times a day.
Settling into the twin sharing cabins on the ship was an interesting moment
for people who have never stepped on board a ship of five decks.
The cruise checked in its passengers on a Friday at noon in Aswan but only
set sail the next day around 1.30 in the afternoon. This enabled its passengers
to go around Aswan on Friday night and enjoy the town on their own or with the
pre-arranged tour guide.
The arranged tours would certainly include highlights of the Aswan High Dam,
either by night or by day, the lake Nasr, the temple on Philea island and the
unfinished Obelisk, just to name a few.
For those interested to buy a souvenir or two as well as some Egyptian
cotton, visiting the Egyptian bazaar, the Nubian market and other small shops in
and around Aswan by horse carriage is their choice.
However, since the weather was pleasant, cool and dry in the winter months
of December, walking around with a few stops to mingle with the locals is a good
option to consider as well.
The Orchestra was originally a 4 star cruise liner but due to its long
service on the Nile and probably over used, it was reduced to only 3 star in
2010.
"You are very lucky to be passengers of the Orchestra, especially if you
have made bookings just recently. We are fully booked every week. My company is
leasing this ship with its crew and maintenance staff. We just take care of the
F&B and the operation of the ship according to schedule", Ahmed, the manager
told passengers from Malaysia.
THE CRUISE
A Malaysian, Zakaria Omar, who has traveled on cruise liners to Phuket and
Singapore though not pleased with what Orchestra had to offer found the Nile
mesmerising.
"The Nile is a great experience, an eye opener especially when the water
level drops at the Watergates after Esna, 100 kilometres from Luxor. A great
experience there", said this smartly dressed gentleman.
The temples at Kom Ombo island and that of the God Horus in Edfu were
interesting and a sight to behold.
"There are so many temples to visit here in Egypt. We visit them and get to
understand about their history, interesting and a real eye opener. All this
while we used to see and hear about them from magazines and the television
documentaries aired occasionally. Now I have seen them in person. Intriguing and
a life-long experience", said Siti Halija, a teacher from Kluang, who was
accompanied by her husband on the visit to Egypt.
THE MAGNIFICIENT TEMPLES
The Kom Ombo temple by night was certainly a beautiful sight.
Packed with visitors from more than 10 ships stopping for the 2 hour visit,
nightfall by 6 pm enabled the historical sight enthusiasts to experience a
lighted visit.
The temples were mostly divided into various sections, namely the open court
where common people were allowed to enter in the ancient days, then came the
inner court I and II where the Pharaoh's and their Queens would present their
gifts to the Gods.
The walls of these temples have beautifully hand drawn hieroglyphic on them,
narrating the story of the Gods and Kings in the era they were built and
dedicated to.
THE NILE EXPERIENCE
The 200 kilometre stretch allocated for the Nile experience was a very
interesting one. Visitors not only got to see the historical remnants left
behind by the great Pharaohs along Nile but also the life of its people living
along its banks, not much different from the ancient days.
There were many people fishing for a living in small sampan-like boats along
the river near their villages which were all green. The water from the Nile is
used to irrigate the farmlands.
Sugar cane is planted in large patches alternated with grazing fields for
cows, goats and camels. Donkeys are seen in abundance on farms and on the
streets, burdened with goods on its back or pulling carriages behind them, led
to the market and trading areas by their owners.
"Hey look, there is a donkey stranded on that island-like stretch beside our
ship. Must have been naughty", Aziz Md. Aris, another Malaysian on the cruise,
pointed out from the top deck prompting the kids running on the deck to stop and
take a look.
With the cold wind blowing strongly on the upper deck as the ship moved
forward to its next destination, the Orchestra had her passengers sitting up in
the open to enjoy the half bright desert sun.
The view was breathtaking.
Enjoying the Nile in the dim sunlight, green banks along the river and the
refreshing cold air, while waiting for dusk to fall was surely a pleasant
experience to cherish.
And watching the sun set in the most beautiful setting, while basking and
sipping coffee on the top deck, it is surely a breathtaking and enchanting
moment to remember and share forever.
-- BERNAMA
