Sand Land

Off to the desert! We had a lovely time in Alex (that's Alexandria in local speak) but were ready for a slower pace of life--and we got it!

Starting with the bus. It was a long 8 hours out into the desert...

One day we took a trip out to Fatnas Island by bike (not really an island) and Jeremy decided to take a swim in the hot spring out there. But oops! We forgot our swimsuits! Yep, that's him, diving in his underwear! :) I didn't get in because I would have had to swim in my clothes (wasn't willing to strip) and there was a police officer there trying to coax me in but he gave me the creeps.

We also biked out to the Temple of the Oracle--the same oracle that Alexander the Great consulted with and used to confirm himself a deity and therefore pharaoh. A very important historical site.

And the next night we went out to the Mountain of the Dead. It sounds like a bad horror film title but it's really just a big hill covered with tombs--maybe 100+? Some had really nice reliefs and multiple rooms. It was hot but nice and we sat on top the mountain watching and waiting for the sunset. It never ceases to amaze me how much time can pass while we talk. We had to have waited about 3 hours for that sun to set... He's a cool guy. Really.

After the came ride, it was goodbye Siwa and hello Aswan! But not until we spent another two nights/days on trains and busses...