Nile cruise Egypt - Part 6 botanical garden, obelisk and back to Luxor

On the last day, we had a program until noon.

First, we were supposed to visit the unfinished obelisk, which is still in the quarry in Aswan. Then, we were supposed to visit a perfume factory, a papyrus factory, and the botanical garden.

For some reason, probably so that we are still fresh enough to buy something, the first stop was 'Perfume Factory'. After a good hour of staying there, the whole bus had turned into a maze of scents, like '1001 scents'. Everything from sweet to spicy to undefinable was represented.

In the papyrus factory, they showed us how papyrus was made back then and how it is made today. It was really impressive and didn't look so complicated.

The botanical garden was beautifully designed and offered plenty of green for the eyes. After seeing mostly sand and rocks, it was a nice change.

The shade under the trees also provided some relaxation.

But the relaxation was suddenly over around noon when we were told to climb up the hill to get a view of the unfinished obelisk.

Well, it is really long, has a decent crack, and has been well worked on from many sides.

But in the midday heat, chasing tourists up there, no thanks. An older lady from our group became dehydrated and exhausted and collapsed. Why it is necessary to tackle the most difficult part in the midday sun remained a mystery to everyone (except for the commercial thinking).

We all looked for any shade we could find to escape the heat. These clever animals, however, were faster:

Back on the ship, we were happy about cold drinks and a shady spot on the sundeck.

However, you first had to get to your own ship (not suitable for people who are not good on foot). You stepped with one foot on one ship and with the other foot on the other ship. Up to 6 or 8 ships were moored side by side, and you had to make sure to stop at your own ship.

The landscape could still be enjoyed and had some surprises here and there.

On the last evening, the room boys really put in a lot of effort during dinner. There was loud shouting (passengers) on every deck and even louder laughter (first the room boys, then the passengers). Why? Here is the answer:

Mummy alert in the rooms! And typical desert animals were included as a bonus:

All in all, I have to say that the trip will probably remain unforgettable. Even though not everything always went smoothly, which sometimes had its funny sides, we were able to gain deep insights into ancient Egyptian culture, combined with impressions of monumental buildings.