Woke this morning with two thoughts … first, I actually slept through the night and my throat is still soar, swollen and I’m coughing … second, my cell phone started chirping text messages.
The texts were from my brother and several friends informing us of an outbreak of COVID-19 on a Nile River cruise boat, like ours, that was quarantined here in Luxor — the Egyptian Minister of Health announced the incident on 6 March 2020 that was picked up yesterday by the world press. Stunned, but angrily not surprised, that neither our local guide Vivian or Freddy had said anything before we boarded this boat late yesterday afternoon. Gypsy and I processed this information in nano seconds. |
Coupled with our very scary and equally unsatisfactory experience last night with the boat’s management, to decide on leaving the boat and tour immediately. After dressing and packing up the few toiletries, we headed out our stateroom door. Immediately we were hit with the smell of bleach and other disinfectants and noticed that the staff were wearing latex gloves. Not a good sign, but at least there seemed to be some recognition that precaution was warranted.
At the concierge desk we ran into Vivian and explained why we were leaving the boat and tour — recounting our experience after dinner with our stateroom and text messages pouring in to be sure we were safe and aware of the outbreak. Still croaking, I ended by saying because the tour company she works for did not inform us of the outbreak in Luxor and health danger due to how boats dock and passengers move between boats for ingress / egress, and this boat’s lax management to take our experience seriously last night convinced us that the health and safety of us tour participants was not a high priority. And, that was unacceptable. |
Vivian told us she had no idea about the outbreak and offered to arrange for us to return to the Pavilion Winter Hotel while we made arrangements to fly home the next morning. Despite my tirade, Gypsy and I did give her generous tip for her many contributions to making our trip — up to boarding the boat last evening — so memorable.
Next, we headed to the dining room in search of our tour leader Freddy to inform him of our decision. I quietly asked to speak with him privately for a few moments and was brushed aside saying he would do so after he finished his breakfast. Knowing that would be at least 30 minutes or more, Gypsy and I had omelets freshly made so as not to eat anything from the buffet. We sat with two others from our tour and said nothing about leaving the tour. After finishing our breakfast, we noticed Vivian going over to Freddy's table and the two of them going off to speak privately. Gypsy and I immediately joined them, knowing that she would be telling him about our decision. Croaking some more, I informed Freddy about our decision. He was very cavalier about it, saying he had no idea about the outbreak, and besides there was virtually no chance anyone in the group would contract it. Before parting, we mentioned our decision not to share with anyone in our group that we were leaving and the reason why — in that it was their responsibility as tour leaders to inform the others about the outbreak and possibility of exposure. With that we left to get our bags and wait for a ride from the tour company to the Pavillon Winter Hotel.
Next, we headed to the dining room in search of our tour leader Freddy to inform him of our decision. I quietly asked to speak with him privately for a few moments and was brushed aside saying he would do so after he finished his breakfast. Knowing that would be at least 30 minutes or more, Gypsy and I had omelets freshly made so as not to eat anything from the buffet. We sat with two others from our tour and said nothing about leaving the tour. After finishing our breakfast, we noticed Vivian going over to Freddy's table and the two of them going off to speak privately. Gypsy and I immediately joined them, knowing that she would be telling him about our decision. Croaking some more, I informed Freddy about our decision. He was very cavalier about it, saying he had no idea about the outbreak, and besides there was virtually no chance anyone in the group would contract it. Before parting, we mentioned our decision not to share with anyone in our group that we were leaving and the reason why — in that it was their responsibility as tour leaders to inform the others about the outbreak and possibility of exposure. With that we left to get our bags and wait for a ride from the tour company to the Pavillon Winter Hotel.
Interestingly, once in the tour company's car, I asked Kemet's Luxor representative about the COVID-19 outbreak and press announcement by Egypt's Minister of Health. He said they learned of it yesterday morning. Hm-m-m, so there was no reason for them not to have passed that information to us long before we boarded the M/S Blue Shadow 2. Back at the hotel, we divided our efforts. Gypsy began searching for alternative flights and I contacted the Marriott Mena House to cancel our reservation for our last two nights in Cairo. |
Next, I called the owner of the Egyptian tour company to arrange for a reimbursement of funds owed us due to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) no longer offering behind-the-scenes tours. Last, I emailed the owner of Sacred Earth Journeys so she knew we had left the tour and why. While driving to the hotel, I had a premonition that neither Vivian or Freddy would share with the group about the COVID-19 outbreak on another Nile cruise boat, so suggested she text everyone so they could make informed decisions about their health and well-being, and she could protect her company since Kemet put SEJ at great risk. While Gypsy was still collecting alternative flight information, I contacted United to see if they could expedite new flight arrangements for us. Thankfully, they could and they did. We booked flights from Luxor to Cairo, Cairo to London, and London to Los Angeles.
Relieved, it was now already 2PM. Not realizing how hungry we were from stress and barely eating our omelet for breakfast, we headed to the hotel's poolside café for lunch. Feeling like we dodged a bullet and had secure plans to leave Egypt, I began to relax — though still coughing continuously.
Back in our room, I reorganized my suitcase, carry-on and bags of other things picked up along the way, and jettisoned others. I showered, and read for awhile before heading to the Royal Bar aka Agatha Christie Bar for a final Champagne Kir Royale and light bite of dinner.
An early bedtime and sweet dreams ... as our taxi to the airport picks us up at 4AM!