Egypt – across the fertile plains around the Nile

We emerged from the midst of the desert mountains and began crossing the fertile plains served by the river Nile. Everything was green. There were irrigation channels and fields full of crops.

I took lots of photos through the window as we went. I wanted to capture a picture of rural life in Egypt.

There were the ubiquitous Check Points with their machine-guns and bored guards, speed bumps and chicanes. It felt a bit like we were in a war-zone. That was enhanced by the presence of an armed guard on the coach and a heavily armed police escort.

But the people we passed waved, beamed and were incredibly friendly.

There were churches and mosques.

There were no signs of tractors. It looked as if Egypt remained hundreds of years in the past. Everywhere there were donkeys, carts, horses and people harvesting by hand.

Life went at a different pace in Egypt.

Then we arrived at Karnak and the incredible temple.