Night of October 10
We sleep at the Malpensa airport, because the departure is scheduled at 7.50 on the next day.
October 11 – Cairo
The Alitalia flight is on time, and the aircraft is almost new. We land at 11.40.
Not being able to predict this punctuality, though, we spend here one night, and leave for Aswan the next day.
The hotel chosen is the ‘”Oasis Hotel”, which gets positive reviews on Tripadvisor. Once collected our luggage, and crossed the customs threshold, we are assailed by a horde of taxi drivers who demand exorbitant prices. Terminal 2 is pretty decrepit, Soviet-style built in grey stone and lit by sad neon lights. Once through the exit door, a crazy crowd dressed in a picturesque way whirls around us with very bulky parcels, making us feel dazed for a moment.
No taxi goes below 90 EGP, while a decent amount (I checked before leaving), should be around 60.
We decide to take the free shuttle to Terminal 1, where there is a bus station. The shuttle is crowded with Egyptians; two of them, very kind, give us their seat, curiously question us, and tell us exactly where to get off.
Having now a cheap alternative, we have more bargaining power with the taxi drivers, who then lead us to our hotel for the fair amount I had in mind.
The hotel is beautiful, quiet, in the countryside, with a large pool. Many plants, like in the botanical parks, have a label tied to the trunk with their Latin name. Our room, 3012, is situated in the farthest wing; it also looks more recently built than the rest of the complex. In our room we do not hear a pin drop
We have dinner in one of the hotel’s restaurants. There is not much to see outside, infact, on the busy Alexandria Desert Road, except a couple of small shops