Transport in Luxor

On our holiday in Luxor, Egypt, one of the modes of transport I refused to sample was a calashe. While I am sure the experience would have been exhilarating, and possibly pleasanter than the inside of a taxicab with no air conditioning, I just didn’t think it fair to add more weight to the carriage and driver for one horse to pull. We saw some labouring along with three large passengers, plus driver, and it really didn’t seem right.

Some of the horses were clearly well cared for, while others looked tired and emaciated. One mare was working with a loose foal running alongside her along the main road beside the River Nile. This looked really sweet but it didn’t seem very safe.

I took this picture of calashe horses at rest in the centre of the town. Look carefully to see one lucky animal having lunch from a nosebag. The luckiest ones have been stopped in the shade of some trees.

Returning from Holidays

It always takes me quite a while to catch up with everything on return from a holiday. Apart from a couple of emails and message replies, these are the first words I’ve typed since we got back at 1.30 am yesterday. I’ve had to write a bit in longhand though, because all the postcards I bought didn’t get written while we were away but are now ready to be posted, together with presents for grandchildren and a friend’s birthday.

Egypt was the most fabulous destination. The experience was completely different from any I’ve had before. I have so much to write about, and so many photos that I could post one a day for well over a year. I promise not to bore you like that, though. For today, here are the modes of transport that get you around the Luxor area.

A Calashe – horse carriage

A felucca – sail boat

A decorated motor boat.

And there's one more for which I can't find a photo at the moment - the blue and white taxi. I may have a pic but I don't have the energy left to search any more. They are much like taxis the world over anyway, some brand new and some old and very decrepit.