Our original idea was to find a traditional Egyptian sailboat, a Felucca, that we could use as a base camp while paddling down the Nile. We first had to pick an itinerary: would it be better to go north with the current but against the wind ? Would the other way around allow for an easier expedition? The section between Luxor and Aswan was looking like a great option with its numerous temples and spectacular landscapes comprising sand dunes and lush crops. Lake Nasser, further down south, would be a must-see also but the many crocodiles living there are not compatible with inflatable SUPs. Are standard SUP boards crocodile-proof? I’ll leave that research to someone else. After talking with Assan, the captain of our boat we went for the Aswan-Luxor itinerary to have the current with us while our Felucca would tack her way up wind.
This traditional wooden sailboat has a simple but elegant lateen sail made of native cotton and natural fibers. No motor: it relies entirely on the breeze which builds during the day, and the river’s current. The Felucca is wide and her entire deck is covered by matresses which makes for a perfect resting area. It is all covered to provide shade from the harsh north African sun.
Our boat is assisted by a smaller Felucca where the other Hassan, (the chef), would prepare gourmet dishes on a small burner. The roof of the smaller boat provided a large area to store our boards and paddles.
