Cruising from Luxor to Aswan with Dahabiya Nile Cruise
When it comes to River Nile cruises, most people know about the huge cruise boats as well as feluccas, some individuals find out about private yachts, however few people understand anything regarding dahabiyas, which take their name from the Arabic word for gold: dahab (the earliest type of this boat was golden coloured). This is rather paradoxical as the dahabiya was the mode of transportation, on the Nile, long before the modern diesels, or the steamers made famous by Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile".
The dahabiya is a (usually) two-masted sailing boat that counts on wind power: it has no engines except for a generator that makes electrical power. This provides it something that is in really short supply nowadays: silence! Cruising on a dahabiya enables the sound of the river splashing versus the watercraft on of the only audios you will listen to, along with the vocal singing of the birds (and the diesels in the distance). You can relax and picture yourself as one of the aristocrats or elite travellers during the days of the monarchy, and even a participant of the monarchy, as this is exactly how they used to bargain the river. Style and style, that is what they were built for; four to ten cabins, totally equipped restrooms, fancy home furnishings, as well as servants to do everything. Nowadays it is very similar, though even more modern-day and also with the requirements of today, with power, Wi-Fi, showers, etc
. The history of the dahabiya returns to the Pharaonic times: there are engravings of extremely similar boats in the tombs of ancient Egyptian Kings and Nobles. Famous Egyptian leaders, such as King Farouk as well as President Sadat, had their own dahabiyas and the English writer, reporter, traveller as well as Egyptologist, Emilia Edwards, also had actually a piano mounted on hers. Aristocrats enjoyed them, especially as the journey could occupy to two or three months to finish, quiting in any way the views between Cairo and Abu Simbel (no Aswan High Dam in those days), with the whole trip being just one of pure decadence as well as design.
Unfortunately, the end of the monarchy also signalled the end of the dahabiya! Steam power was latest thing, quickly to be surpassed by gas and/or diesel engines. Nonetheless, the dahabiya was not failed to remember, and soon, amongst all the large cruise ship boats cruising up and down the River Nile, both masts of the dahabiya gradually started to reappear.
Site visitors were beginning to realise that the peace as well as serenity that they sought, can be located. In addition to that, the shallower draft suggested that these watercrafts can sail closer to the numerous islands dotted along the river, admitting to areas like Gebel El Silsila; out of bounds for the much heavier cruise ship boats. This likewise permits experiences like dinner in front of the "Speos of Horemheb": an illuminated dish that you will never forget, and also all many thanks to the dahabiya's shallower draft as well as smaller sized guest capability.
The other significant benefit with having the ability to snuggle up to these smaller islands is that the River Nile now becomes your swimming pool. You can dive and swim to your heart's content, or relax and watch the frolicking of others from the sands of the island.
During its journey the dahabiya will stop to collect materials of food, either from riverside markets, or directly from local farmers and garden enthusiasts: whatever is fresh as well as cooked as needed. Icy food? Neglect it! Throughout the day mineral water and tea are readily available, along with mugs of strong Turkish coffee, karkade (hibiscus), or fresh fruit juice. You can even indulge in some local beer and red wine.
Envision being lulled to sleep by the mild lapping of the waves, only disturbed by the phone call of a bird. This is evening time on a dahabiya! Calm evenings; serene days; silent sailing; total relaxation; and also all offered today, as it was virtually 100 years ago.
Although we make use of the spelling "dahabiya", it can additionally be spelled as: dahabeeya, zahabiya, dahabeyya, dahabiah, dahabiyah, dhahabiyya, dahabiyeh, dahabieh, dahabeah, as well as dahabeya.
