Leisurely breakfast by Mohammed. At 8AM, the appointed time, I found him in the reception alcove asleep in front of the TV, must have been watching American movies all night long. I didn't wake him, we ended up having breakfast a bit after 9AM.
Abubuc and a buddy picked us up around 10AM for our morning tour of the tombs and mummies. A bit backwoodsy with the excavations. Not the same amount of government money is available here as in Luxor or Cairo. A Bedouin hangs out in front of a sight, gives you a tour, all in Egyptian with lots of pointing, then hold out his hand for a tip. Since we had already paid our fee to see the sights, the expected tip is routine but is getting a bit monotonous. We give each one 2 Egyptian pounds, about 40 cents. They seem satisfied.
No pictures are allowed and none really needed to be taken. These were Phaoronic tombs, reused by the Romans. Indeed, when the Romans did the mummification, they were a bit sloppy, not much work has been done beneath the wrappings, apparently the mummification process wasn't real good, and not much left.
In the afternoon, we hit the "Roman Baths". Again, not quite what they are labeled. The government has sunk numerous wells to around 900 meters to extract the naturally hot water. They go deeper, it is hotter, more shallow and it is cooler. Pumps send it into irrigation pipes for the farmers. The Romans did used the hot springs, but not as we do today.
That's me in the back, (the white guy) and Abubuk smiling on the right. Soon after this picture was taken, he rinsed his hands and head, and did his 3PM prayers to Allah.
Our afternoon tour included the British Outpost on the highest bit of land in the oasis. They used this as a lookout during WWII. Rommel and his gang were out and about here. (See the movie "Patton" for details!)
Abubuk was a bit stressed tonight. Turns out he had checked a French gal in today, but she wasn't to be found this evening. She had told some people she was changing hotels, but they hadn't tracked her down yet. No foul play, but we did find out that the "tourist police" (their real name), do keep track of all of us every night.
One cultural note. These oasis people love their Chinese motorcycles. They really decorate them too. Here is one with a fair amount of "bling". Haven't got a good picture of one that is really decorated up.
This, however, is a more typical mode of transportation.
Off to the White Desert tomorrow and a night of camping.
