Thomson Airlines Boeing 757 Explorer One (G-OOBF)
Tanzania and Luxor, Egypt
Monday, February 22, 2010

    As I mentioned yesterday, we had to be up early this morning so that we could have a couple of hours for a mini-safari on the trip back to the gravel airstrip. On our way, we stopped and viewed herds of wildebeest, zebra, and cape buffalo. The new species viewed were an older bull elephant and a few flamingos.

    It was a challenge to find an elephant. They don’t really like this area when it has been raining a lot since it make it hard for them to get around. Most of the elephants have moved on towards the mountains, but this solitary bull was leisurely eating in the high grass. It is amazing how easily a huge elephant can disappear in the tall grassy areas. This fellow was a little curious about us as we parked to observe him. He slowly approached to within 20 meters, eating along the way as he approached. He then decided we were too close, even though he was the one approaching. He gave a few grunts, turned, and sauntered away.

    The flight back to the international airport took about an hour and we had to fly over the mountains in some significant clouds, but the ride was not really very rough. After going through exit immigration, we boarded Explorer One and were off on our way to Luxor, Egypt.

    Flying over the desert is amazing. I grew up on the high desert of California, but it was nothing like this totally barren desert. Looking in all directions, there is no plant life. And then you come across the Nile River and all of a sudden there is green plants, farms, and cities along the west and east banks.

    Clearing immigration and customs was very simple in Luxor and we boarded buses to first take us for a short one hour visit to the Luxor Museum (very interesting), and then on to our luxurious hotel – Sonesta St. George Hotel. I had been stuffing myself so much the last couple of days that I decided to just skip dinner and opted for a welcome shower and an early bedtime.

    Tomorrow morning, we will visit the Valley of the Kings, Karnack Temple, and several other historic sites in Luxor. Tomorrow evening is also scheduled to be busy.