Destination Egypt
Contributed by Jens Hoffmann.
The Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is a Mediterranean country bordered by the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, the Red Sea to the east and south, Sudan to the south, and Libya to the west. Across from the Sinai Peninsula lies Saudi Arabia.
After a day in Luxor we travelled by train to Asswan. Aswan is a tourist centre located just north of the Aswan Dams on the east bank of the Nile at the first cataract.
The modern city has expanded and includes the formerly separate community on the island of Elephantine.
My “Death on the Nile” experience started, I was feeling like Agatha Christie having the 5 o’clock tea overlooking the Nile. Wow. Agatha Christie is best known for her short story collections, plays and famous detective stories like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She enjoyed Asswan and Old Cataract as much as I did.
WE checked in at the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel, also known as the Old Cataract Hotel, a historic British colonial-era 5-star luxury resort hotel located on the banks of the River Nile in Aswan, Egypt.
The movie “Death on Nile” was filmed in the hotel.
The legend relates to its name, which refers to the ancient belief that the collision of the river Nile with the northernmost granite barrier of land is actually the point where the civilized world reaches its end. Further, the hotel overlooks Elephantine Island, witness to the once flourishing cult of Khnum, god of the cataract and inundation.
The Old Cataract marks the end of the fertile Nile valley and the beginning of the vast Nubian Desert. A magnifique location, scene of legends. The second half of the 19th century is synonymous with prosperity and refinement. Steamships and railroads carried curious travelers deep into Egypt, and the most privileged among them were welcomed at the brand new Old Cataract, an elegant Victorian palace offering state-of-the art amenities and luxurious décor. A place to pause, contemplate, and immerse oneself in the magic of the Nile.
After having hosted exclusive events for over eleven decades, the hotel underwent three years of renovation orchestrated by French designer Sybille de Margerie.
The hotel’s Victorian beauty and Egyptian atmosphere have been restored, and interior architecture has been eloquently enhanced with an inimitable French touch.
We admired the mythical Palace wing and discover the newly compelling Nile wing, rich with Oriental flavor and poetic echoes of motifs from the original building. The magnifique new pool naturally links the two wings and invites complete relaxation.
For over a century, prominent figures from from all over the world have been drawn to the inherent graciousness and quiet energy of the Old Cataract. Its captivating atmosphere inspired Agatha Christies’ famous work, Death on the Nile. And it is in this very place that Jean Claude Ellena, moved by the magnifique setting, created the very delicate fragrance Jardin sur le Nil just few years ago. The legend continues…, the hotel was built in 1899 by Thomas Cook to house European travelers. Its guests have included Agha Khan, Tsar Nicholas of Russia, Winston Churchill, the Duke of Connaught, King Farouk, Howard Carter, Margaret Thatcher, Jimmy Carter, Princess Diana, Queen Noor and Agatha Christie.
The portier opend the door for us to the room where Agatha Christie wrote on her novel Death on the Nile.
Its still on my movie bucket list. In 1977 the film of the novel was shot at the hotel.
It was perfect to relax at the pool and to enjoy the butler service which served the lovely 5 o’clock tea overlooking the Nile.
Later on we travelled to Luxor.
Ma salam.
