Egypt - Day 6 - Thursday, August 6th

Today was our first full day in Aswan! I only got to see it in the dark last night. In the daytime, it was a dusty place. I'm going to like this place a lot! Well, I thought I was going to like it a lot. And then things got a little out of control!

First we went to the Philae Temple in the morning. We took a boat to get there. Remember all of those life preservers on the bus? Well, apparently, they're for the humans. Hrumph! See if I help YOU if the boat capsizes. You're on your own! We made it to the temple fine. Apparently they had to move it when they made the dam. They did a good job, from what I could tell. Ok, let's get out of here. It's getting hot and I'm hungry because SOMEONE didn't feed me breakfast!

Our lunch was on an island in the Nile River. We got off our boat and walked up a path that led to an area with a large canopy over tables, chairs and a buffet line. I got some good eats!



Ok, now I'm full. Are we ready for a nap? Wait, what? We're going swimming ... IN THE NILE? Aren't there, like, crocodiles and other nasty creatures in there? There's not? Ummm.... Are you sure? I was told not to swim until 30 minutes after eating. Really, John? You want to go swimming in the Nile? Fine. I'll go with you and guard your camera. But I'm getting very drowsy from all of the food, so let's hurry this up, OK?

We went to a local beach that our guide knew about. We approached the restaurant area near it and wouldn't you know it? One of the locals was holding a baby crocodile!



I thought you said there would be no crocodiles! Don't you dare get me near that thing!



Apparently, John and the rest of the group didn't hear me. Before I knew what was happening, I was getting chicken-handled by the guide who was putting me dangerously close to the croc. Don't ... go ... any ... closer!



OWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's got my beak! Get him off, get him off, get him .. BAWKKKKKK!!!!!!



Thankfully I was able to escape the clutches of the evil crocodile. Unfortunately, John was nowhere near me. HE IS SO TOAST!!! Where is he? He had meandered down to the river to take a dunk. He was taking all sorts of pictures with his camera. I didn't know he had a waterproof camera? He took a picture of me with Mr. S. and a picture of me chilling out on the beach, guarding his flip-flops.



We hung out at the river for a VERY long time. The water was nice and cold (from what I was told - I ain't swimming in there!) Thankfully the crocodile didn't get me too badly with his snout. However, I did want to get a piece of him before we left because that wasn't very nice. Our guide redeemed himself by letting me "ride" the crocodile. I rode that bad boy hard! If I had a whip, he would've been sore!



That made me feel invigorated. Let's go back to the hotel and raise the dead! Imhotep!!!! How about it, John? He stifled a yawn and said "Sure. We'll go to the pool and play chicken". Awesome! We got back to our hotel room and John promptly laid down and fell asleep. He didn't even take off his wet shorts! He must've been exhausted! The heat had taken a toll on me, too. So I rested beside him and closed my eyes.

BBBBBAAAWWWWWKKKK!!!!!!!!!!! I woke up from a horrible dream where an alligator was chomping off my beak. Thank goodness it was only a crocodile that did that to me today! I was about ready to peck off John's toenails when he woke up. Apparently it was time to go to the light show at the Philae Temple. I didn't go, which was fine, because I needed to ruffle my feathers some while they were out. What? They locked the door! And me without opposable thumbs to open the door! Fine! I'll go back to sleep. We have to leave early tomorrow anyway. The birds won't even be up yet, because we're leaving at 5 AM. But we're going to Abu Simbel tomorrow, which should be awesome. I didn't even hear John and Mr. S. come in because I was sound asleep.