Kayaking on the Nile River and Red Sea in Egypt, June-July, 2005
The Nile is the longest river in the world, originating in Lake Victoria in Uganda and Lake Tana in Ethiopia, and draining into the Mediterranean in Egypt. The ancient Egyptians developed its civilization along the Nile, with tombs and temples dotting its banks below Aswan. After my earlier kayaking trips on the Danube and the Mekong, a kayaking trip on the Nile beckons irresistibly. In late June of 2005, I traveled to Egypt with a folding kayak to make my pilgrimmage. My plan was to start in Aswan, the southernmost town in Egypt, and paddle to Luxor, some 400 km down river. Although it's summer, the day time temperature on the water hovers around 35 deg C, which is still comfortable. As there is no crocodile (or any other large animal) on the Nile below the Aswan dam, my only concern is contracting schistosomiasis from water exposure (which fortunately is treatable if detected early). Unlike the Mekong, the Nile after Aswan is well populated (not surprising given its long human history and the arid land elsewhere), and I received regular greetings from people along the river bank. Still, there is an abundance of bird life (herons, egrets, kingfishers, swallows,...) and boat traffic was light (the occasional fishing boats, feluccas, and one cruise ship). It made for very peaceful paddling.

Unfortunately, when I reached Kom Ombo, I was stopped by the local marine police and informed that foreigners are forbidden to travel on the Nile unless in an organized tour or with special permission. Thus, my Nile trip was cut short. But it was nice while it lasted.

Nile, fishing boat encounter

This was taken some hours after I left Aswan, heading towards Kom Ombo. The water is calm, clear, and cool. Only the risk of contracting schistosomiasis prevented me from taking a dip.

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Nile, river bank

Lunch stop by the river bank, in the shade of a date palm.

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Nile, Kom Ombo

The small town of Kom Ombo is well know for its temple dedicated to Horus and the crocodile god Sobek. My Nile kayaking trip unexpectedly ended here.

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Dahab, Gulf of Aqaba

After visiting Luxor, I headed east to Sinai and the Red Sea coast. Here, I am paddling in the Gulf of Aqaba from the pleasant (though touristy) town of Dahab northward to a well-known diving site Blue Hole. Plenty of jellyfishes.

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Giza, Sphinx and a pyramid

Of course, the Sphinx and the pyramids at Giza. Still impressive.

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Nile, Cairo

A kayaking trip from Aswan to Cairo?

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Johnstone Strait, Vancouver Island, August, 2005
Johnstone Strait on the north east side of Vancouver Island (launching from Telegraph Cove), with its many islands and abundant marine and bird life (orcas, whales, dolpins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, otters, eagles), is best appreciated by kayak. A paradise not yet lost?

A pod of orcas cruises by a kelp bed at sunset, coming within a few paddles length of my kayak. Breathtaking..

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Nothing but mountains and islands, sky and sea. A good place for reflecting and dreaming.

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On one of the islands is a white shell beach on which this hut with salmon motif stands.

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Morning breaks over calm Johnstone Strait. The water beckons.

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