Exactly two years ago we were slogging our way through Sudan’s Nubian  desert on our way to Egypt.  Looking back, my most vivid Egypt memories are of the wacky sculptures of the White Desert, the amazing temples at Luxor and the endless supply of hot water that poured out of the taps in our hotel in Aswan.

IMG_1736-cycling-amaya-whitedesert
Cycling the White Desert in Egypt. Those wacky sculptures are not snow,

IMG_1466-luxornile
Sunrise on the Nile.

IMG_1797-eric-desert
Even biking through Egypt's Western Desert, we were able to fill up our water bottles at regular police check points.

Actually, it’s the endless supply of water that I most remember.  Every time I turned the taps, water came gushing out of the spigot.  There were no pumps to push.  I didn’t have to trek down to a river with a bucket to fetch my bath water.  There was no question of filling up my bottles with stagnate water stored in a rusty oil drum.  And I definitely wouldn’t have to dig in a dry river bed to quench my thirst.

IMG_8773-mozambique-pump
In Africa, a crowd usually gathers when we stop by the local village pump to fill up our water bottles.

IMG_0182water riverbed
Before setting off to cycle Africa, we never imagined scooping water out of a dry riverbed.

Anyone who cycles Africa will never again take the availability of water for granted.

Reaching Egypt meant a return to the easy life.  Sure there was poverty, but nobody was visibly starving. Food was plentiful, the state supplied water and the locals tried to rip off the tourists.  It was a real change from the rest of Africa.

Random Rewind: Bicycle Touring in Egypt
Tagged on:

3 thoughts on “Random Rewind: Bicycle Touring in Egypt

  • December 16, 2010 at 1:57 PM
    Permalink

    Very nice photos! Best of luck for the rest of your trip.

    Reply
  • December 18, 2010 at 7:34 PM
    Permalink

    Hey Claire,
    Glad you like the photos! There are lots more on the way from South America.

    Reply
  • December 20, 2010 at 3:43 PM
    Permalink

    I like this.It is good to be adventurous.Your reports are fantastic and encouraging. They bring reality close to our minds of what the other world looks like.When will you pass through Kenya? I miss you dear ones.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *