Sunrise, Sunset - the end of the journey

Among all the specifically Egyptian experiences on our special holiday, I finally managed to see the sun rise and set on same day. Spectacularly it was over the Red Sea. We could see the sunrise from our hotel balcony and took photos in our pyjamas before breakfast.

Sunrise over the Red Sea

The birdlife in Egypt is diverse and fascinating. We saw a black and white kingfisher diving in the River Nile. There were also tall, white wading birds called stilts. Once we arrived at our coastal hotel for the second week of the holiday we sawa hawks living on the roofs of the hotel complex. In the hotel grounds in Makadi Bay I heard and saw a hoopoe, not a bird I had ever expected to spot, although I'd read about them. Camellia hedges lined the pathways and bougainvillea grew in a bright variety of colours. In January it did my heart good to be surrounded by flowering shrubs.

During a visit to a Nubian village I touched a crocodile. It was a baby and someone's pet!!! Although its jaws were tied together while we were in the house I feel I need credit for overcoming my fears in this area.

Not my hand in the picture because I was taking the picture, but I did touch the crocodile. I declined the offer to pick him up though.

Crocodiles are important in Egyptian mythology. One of the Egyptian gods, Sobek, has the head of a crocodile. So, of course, they are treated with respect.

Mummified crocs in Sobek museum.

At the end of the day we could climb up to the top floor of the hotel where there was a view westwards and watch the sun setting.

Sunset over Makadi Bay with mountains in the desert beyond.

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