Wed 31st August: The trip to Luxor, Egypt

The 08:34 train from Waterbeach was delayed by eight minutes but sped us into Kings Cross in time to wander over to St Pancras, aiming to catch the 10:10 to Gatwick, which was also six minutes late. Contrary to our expectations, we did not arrive at the North Terminal. This did give us the opportunity to take an elevated driverless shuttlebus, slightly scary as very little seemed to be holding it on as it sped around the corners. Check in and going through security went easily and we boarded the plane, a 757-200, shortly before 1pm. Our flight was slightly delayed for take-off but we were assured of a fast flight due to a good tailwind of around 60 to 70 knots. Although a five hour flight, it was relieved by the sight of Lake Constance as we flew down through Germany and into Austria. The jagged peaks of the alps and roads snaking through passes were visible between the breaks in the clouds. As we progressed east towards the Adriatic, clouds began to tower into storms that we serenely flew over until hitting the coastline and the ground became visible again. The flight continued down the Albanian side of the Adriatic, with a gold mirrored ocean interrupted by dark crenelated islands. Beyond Greece, the Mediterranean was hidden from view by thin cloud until landfall on the continent of Africa. The sun set with a gorgeous horizon of reds and oranges bleeding into a dark blues sky, where a crescent moon hung, heralding our arrival over Egypt. It took a further hour to reach Luxor as we followed the Nile, a dark ribbon snaking through the fairytale lights of the cities along it. We found a friendly Egyptian welcome on arrival, interspersed with the usual bureaucracy of any immigration. Visas were quickly purchased (just under GBP10 each) and we found our way onto the number 10 bus to our boat and our Thomson tour rep Siobhan. Already, the drive through Luxor hinted at historic sights, such as the Luxor Temple and the Avenue of Sphinxes. Streets were bustling with Egyptians out for the evening now that the burning sun had set. Our boat on the Presidential Nile Cruise is "The Commodore". Louise introduced me into the strange mechanism of the safe-box in our cupboard. We had our first meal in the restaurant, meeting our future companions for the rest of the holiday, Tony, Angie, Liz and Jenny. Whilst the others bade us good night, we wandered up to the bar and then onto the sun-deck, with its rattan chairs and tables, enjoying the cool 28 degC breeze off the Nile. We had cleverly not only ordered drinks but also asked for and received four bottles of water in preparation for tomorrows first excursion.