We really enjoy watching a pretty sunset regardless of where we are traveling. We have seen many beautiful sunsets with the sun slowly descending below the horizon. Although we enjoy the sunsets that turn the mountains into gorgeous silhouettes, there is just something special about a sunset over a body of water. Whether it is an ocean, lake, or river, these sunsets have an almost therapeutic effect.
Sunset in the Costa Del Sol in SpainSunset over the Pacific OceanSunset Over the Nile River
Perhaps it has something to do with the humidity in the air that transforms these sunsets. It also helps when there are clouds in the sky as they also reflect the rays from the sun. The only problem with looking back at photos from previous sunsets is that it makes us wish that we were on the beach right now.
Sunset in Puerto VallartaSunset in FloridaSunset in Cabo San Lucas
Cruising down the Nile River from Luxor to Aswan when we were in Egypt was a wonderful experience. Obviously there were the temples that we visited along the way, but just cruising on the Nile was relaxing and wonderful. It was a great way to beat the heat and most of the cruise ships have a pool on the upper deck to help you cool off. The shoreline is covered with tropical trees and plants, but the desert is clearly visible not far in the distance. It is amazing how narrow the actual vegetation actually is and how hard life must be for those people who live along the banks.
Children Swimming by the ShoreHut on the River BankBoat on the RiverValley of the Kings from the RiverLooking Down the River
As the ship cruised down the Nile, children would run to the shore and wave at the passengers excitedly. Other times, we saw children swimming and splashing near the shore, doing their best to get out of the heat as well. Occasionally we would see some boats with fisherman, but the ship usually sailed in the afternoon and was docked in the morning, so we weren’t on the water when most fisherman would be out. Although we saw plenty of feluccas in Cairo, most of the boats, other than other cruise ships, were much simpler.
Sailboat Crossing the NileFamilies Playing in the WaterWater Buffalo with a Bird on His BackBoats on the ShoreDesert Behind the Tropical Vegetation
Seeing the Temple of Kom Ombo in the afternoon after we left Edfu, was truly incredible. We could see the temple columns off in the distance as we rounded one of the river bends and it loomed larger the closer that we came to the dock. Other than the many sunsets that we saw, the temple was probably the most fascinating sight that we saw. We spent four days and three nights on the cruise and every day brought different and yet similar views of the shoreline.
First View of the TempleOne of Many SunsetsTemple of Kom OmboLocal Tour BoatPool on the Deck
For anyone visiting Egypt, we would recommend taking a cruise down the Nile River. The cruises go both directions, either from Luxor to Aswan or from Aswan to Luxor. It is possible to do the tour by land, but we feel that if you have the time, going by ship is far better. We were fortunate that our tour company booked us on one of the nicer cruise ships and we enjoyed our time onboard very much.
Another Hut on the Shore
Desert LoomingGrove of Palm TreesSplashing and SwimmingLivestock Grazing in the Marsh
Looking for a unique experience when visiting the Colorado Springs area, consider taking a ride on the Royal Gorge Railroad. Located about an hour outside of Colorado Springs in Canon City, there are a variety of train rides available. We did the Murder Mystery Train several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. In addition to the food and entertainment, the scenery during the train ride is absolutely stunning. The mysteries change on a regular basis, so even if you’ve done it before, you can enjoy a different experience if you happen to do it again.
View from the TrainOne of the Actors at a TableThe Mystery Begins as Dinner Options are Considered
We have done a variety of murder mystery dinners over the years, including one in a mansion in Manchester, England, with varying degrees of enjoyment. The train ride definitely makes this one very different and the food and views would have been good enough on their own. The actors walk amongst the tables providing clues and answering questions as each table tries to solve the mystery. We didn’t find the mystery particularly difficult to solve, but that didn’t detract from our enjoyment.
Could She be the Murderer?Getting Ready to BoardInteractive Entertainment
