We left home at 2.00am to catch the 2.55 Airport coach to Gatwick. We didn't bother having any sleep beforehand as we thought we could have a nap during the 3 1/2 hour coach journey. How mistaken we were!! We had a dear old lady sitting in the seat behind us who slept all the way and managed to snore for England!!
We checked in our luggage promptly, then headed for Passport control where you pass through the Security screening device. I went through with no problem - hubby followed and the alarms beeped. He explained it was probably the knee brace he was wearing as it had steel supports either side. Usually they feel the brace and wave him through but not this time! He was led away by 2 Security officers, had to go behind a blanket covered screen and ......... drop his trousers!!!
They then prodded and poked the brace until they were sure he was no threat! We had a good laugh about it after as at least it shows they are taking no risks and doing their job properly.
After a 5 hour flight we landed in Luxor with temperatures in the upper 80's. We were driven to our accommodation on a private island in the Nile where we had to go through further security checks. The hotel is set in 24 acres of lush tropical gardens where they grow their own fruit and salad produce. The accommodation was in bungalows situated around the grounds. The hotel building itself housed the Reception, Bank, Restaurant, Library, Bar and Gift Shop.
Our bungalow faced the West Bank and was just a few minutes walk away from the Nile. It was so peaceful with herons coming in to land in the trees along the Nile and lizards scurrying about our feet around the bushes.
Our Bungalow...
The gardens...
The view we had of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings...
Illuminated palms at night...
The Nile taken from our sunlounger...
The 'oven' where a lady bakes bread for the hotel every day...
The hotel's Infinity Pool next to the Nile...
Cleo, the resident camel...
The gardens...