The public ferry to this side of the river started from right next door. We were on it before 9:00 am.
I love our rooms in the Cleopatra Hotel. We're on the second floor that is equivalent to the third or fourth in height. We have a larger room with a sofa, TV, and refrigerator. It opens to a regular room with air conditioning and the beds and bathroom. Both have balconies and a great view of rural banana fields and a horse training area. The desert mountain is in the distance containing the Valley of the King. We will get free breakfast. Wifi is slow but that's how I'm posting this. It costs about $18 a night!
We went back over to the other side in the early afternoon for lunch and entrance to the Luxor Temple. That area practically blocks the middle of town from the river. It was pretty impressive.
Hundreds of private motor boats try to get passengers but we also grab the big old government owned double-decker ferries. Crossing costs one Egyptian pound. On this particular crossing, we were witness to a bit of what the revolution in this country may have produced. At least a hundred people were seated ready for the half-hour departure. Another ferry came to dock alongside and the passengers were requested to move to the next ship. This would have been inconvenient and a vocal group made that known. They shouted that no one should set foot on the empty boat but rather take us across. The other boat departed empty for the other side. Shouting continued. Police came by boat quickly. We quickly left for the other side too without having to get up. Kudos for demanding fair treatment. Although this whole incident sounds like a little thing; perhaps once people get a chance of having a say, it can change everything!
We have decided to stay three nights. Tomorrow we will tour the West. On Monday, we will try to see the Karnak Temples. After that we will try to make our way to the city of Dahab, somehow.