Camel market to temple of the crocodile god

We cruised this morning to the village of Daraw for the huge Saturday morning camel market. Transport to the market was by pickup truck over dusty roads. Groups of Nubian and Sudanese men were checking out and bartering over small groups of camels. Camels in each section had one leg tied so they couldn’t run and were hit with sticks to force them to move to show their fitness. About 40% of camels are sold for food, the others for work. Bartering was done

loudly but quickly.

On the way back to the boat we stopped and walked through a busy market. My group was asked to buy one kilo of camel meat (from the neck) and ten loaves of bread. We were pointed toward a good butcher who was careful to show us how his meat was superior - 150 pounds ($10 US)for the meat. We found good bread for 10 pounds total. Our job was done. The camel meat was cooked with spices and vegetables and was a side dish at lunch I tried it, it was ok

Back to the boat for a short trip to Kom Ombo, a riverside town surrounding by sugar cane fields. The Greco-Roman temple was dedicated to two gods: the local crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris. We walked through the temple and the Crocodile Museum below.

A three hour cruise brought us to the village of Ferris where we were met by tuk-tuks who drove us along plantations and through the village. We visited a local craftsman who has made mango crates and chicken houses for 60 years. He showed us how he cuts palm fronds into thin slices and fashions the crates.

After another short cruise we docked for the night along side an ancient stone quarry. My dinner was chicken stuffed with cheese and mushrooms. Food on this boat is top plentiful and excellent.