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Entertainments on felucca |
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Our Nubian felucca crew
entertains you with their music and dance;
have fun and join them in this; also you can
play cards, read a book, chat with the other
people on board, swim, or help the crew in
preparing the meals. By now you will have
become accustomed to the traditional felucca
sailing boats as we use them to visit the
West Bank at Aswan and the islands of the
First Cataract. Nevertheless the thought of
a two day sail can be a little daunting for
some, so we take time to give you an
introduction to this part of our itinerary.
During day trips we sit on padded benches at
the edges of the boat with our legs resting
inward towards the centre. On overnight
trips the felucca is transformed into a
'floating hotel'. Wooden boards are placed
across the felucca's centre (from bench to
bench) to make a deck on which mattresses
are placed to make a comfortable platform
from which to lay back and watch the
river-banks pass by (underneath the decking
makes a secure place for our luggage). An
awning can be erected above this platform to
protect you from the sun if needed.
Overnight the awning is put in place and
canvas sheets are erected around the outer
sides of the felucca to form a cozy,
tent-like place in which to eat and sleep.
We recommend you bring a sleeping bag with
you, but the crew will supply blankets too.
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- To keep the boat clean as
this is where you will be
sitting, eating lying and
sleeping. Take your shoes off
when boarding the boat and rinse
your feet in the water bucket.
You should not walk with shoes
on, whilst on the boat. As you
get off the boat on to go to the
toilet or walk on the island put
your shoes back on.
- Put all your valuable items,
passports, documents and money
in your big bag to be stored
beneath the boat. You will not
need any of these items for the
2 days.
- It is a good idea to pack a
small day pack with all of the
items you will need for the 2
days as you will not have access
to your big bags as they are
stored beneath the
mattress/floor of the boat.
- Keep all lose items in your
small daypack to avoid them
blowing away with the wind or as
the boat tilts falling over the
side into the water.
- At night put everything
beneath the boat. Fishermen come
past during the night and items
can be easily lost
- There is a garbage bin
located at the front of the
boat. All rubbish is to go in
the bin. No rubbish is to be
thrown into the Nile or left on
the islands.
- When you need to go to the
toilet collect a plastic bag
from the front of the boat, go
to the toilet on the island,
after use place your toilet
paper in the plastic bag and
return it to the rubbish bin on
the boat. Egypt has a huge waste
and rubbish problem and we do
not want to add to it.
- Each felucca has life
jackets stored beneath or at the
front of the boat.
- Never jump into the water
whilst the felucca is sailing.
You can be easily dragged by
undercurrents and dragged under
by debris in the Nile.
10. Dress modestly on the boat –
swimmers, shorts and t-shirts
are acceptable, though anything
less is an invitation. After
swimming wrap a towel around
you, do not walk around the
islands or the boat in just swim
wear
- At night if leaving the
felucca always take someone with
you. Never walk the islands
after dark alone.
- Public displays of affection
are frowned upon and can lead
females into unnecessary trouble
with crew and locals.
- Your crew will prepare and
cook breakfasts, lunches and
dinner. The food is simple, good
and there is plenty of it.
- You should assist your crew
by keeping the boat clean and
assisting with cleaning and
cooking duties.
- Remember your crewmembers
are working, and need to look
after your safety; you should
refrain from offering them
alcohol etc, lengthy
conversations or putting
yourself in unnecessary danger.
- If you have had an enjoyable
2-day cruise, upon departure
please feel free to tip your
felucca crew for their services.
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