Aswan Egypt – Mini Me Boats!
Once you venture south of Cairo after checking out the Pyramids (even inside them) and down towards Luxor and Aswan Egypt, you will most likely see sights like the unusual Unfinished Obelisk which are worth checking out – because you won’t see anything like this anywhere else in the world.
After all of this sightseeing, it’s almost mandatory to take a Felucca Cruise on the River Nile near Aswan to check out what’s doing on the rather large Lake Nasser. Lake Nasser was formed after the Aswan High Dam was built in the 1970s by the Soviets to help out with electricity generation, flood protection and irrigation water.
Anyway, a Felucca is a traditional style, leaky wooden boat that’s actually a nice depature from the normal chaos of Egypt, including some of the Worst Drivers In The World, for which, Egypt takes first place thanks to the number of times I have been subjected to the reckless and insane driving inside a number of barely roadworthy vehicles!
However, this Nile Cruising isn’t that unusual – but what is are the numerous ‘mini-me’ boats you will see on the Nile.
Like these:
It’s actually a group of kids who paddle (using their hands) out to the Tourist Boats, literally ‘Singing for their supper’.
They come up to whatever boat that you are in, ask your nationality, and then will sing a song from your country, and in your language.
For example, if you’re French, you’ll hear ‘Alouetta’. These entrepreneurial kids seem to know a song for every nationality that visits the Aswan High Dam. And they do it all day.
Unfortunately, this is what some people have to resort to just to make a living to put some money on the table.
So if you’re in Aswan, Egypt, check out the Singing Kids of the Nile.
Check out more at Building World Landmarks – Aswan High Dam.
For more stuff about Egypt, see:
- Aswan Egypt – River Nile Felucca Cruise Sights on Lake Nasser
- Egyptian Pyramids at Giza – Aren’t In The Middle Of Nowhere
- Egyptian Pyramid Construction – What Do They Look Like Inside?
- Abu Simbel Temples, Egypt – An Impressive Piece of Legoland
- Camel Rides at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. Try Avoiding Them!
- Unfinished Obelisk – D’oh, I stuffed it up!
Hello there,
My wife and I are Americans traveling to Turkey next month and are considering a side trip to Egypt. Our itinerary would take us to Cairo, the pyramids, the White Desert, and on a dahabiya cruise down the Nile. Can you give us any insight on your experiences while there post-revolution? We are of course concerned about safety and overall atmosphere. We are enticed by the thought that there are currently few tourists in Egypt, and also excited to experience a newly revolutionized country. Did you feel safe throughout your trip? Did you experience any concerns? Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Kiley and Yasemin
I can’t speak for myself – I went to Egypt in 2002. Like most of those things, the riots aren’t directed at travellers. Things have probably settled down since, but I don’t know what the word on the street is. Try something like Lonely Planet Thorn Tree or another forum like that.