No doubt many of you would have heard of 'Death on the Nile' by Agatha Christie, maybe even read it, or seen the movie, or watched it on TV. The story of Hercule Poirot solving a mystery aboard a steam cruiser on the Nile. Written in 1937, legend, or perhaps just rumour has it that it was written whilst Christie was staying at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan.
Today, Lady Patricia, and our new friends Vanna, Penny and Jenny took a horse and carriage ride to this very hotel, and 'took tea' on the terrace overlooking the Nile. Arriving at the hotel we were told access was available to guests only, but with a smile and a little baksheesh, we were soon being whisked via golf buggy to the main entrance where we were warmly invited in and escorted to the beautiful terrace, overlooking the River, opposite the tomb of the Aga Khan.
We whiled away an hour sipping our various beverages, before meandering through the hotel and then sauntering through the gardens on our way back to the main entrance. The hotel is quaint, and old yet quietly sophisticated, but definitely a haunt for the rich, and/or famous. I might just save my salary for a year so I can spend a night there one day :)
My favourite part of the hotel was actually the gardens, with its splendid fountains. The garden offers a quiet tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of Aswan and certainly a place where guests of this fine establishment can relax. If you should find yourself in Aswan, it is definitely worth visiting and spending an hour there, unless of course, you can afford to spend the night :)
Jenny, Penny, Pat and Vanna enjoying the gardens
Desert oasis :)
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