16 January 2008 – Room 416!

The Winter Palace in Luxor is the quintessential colonial spot for gold-pocketed tourists visiting the famous archaeological sites of Luxor. Expensively clean blue swimming pools, crisp white linen, American, French and English accents, and Egyptian waiters talking of their favourite football teams.

Gareth and I wandered through the lobby into the restaurant and pool area and set our office up with the wireless connection at the pool. An orange juice turned into a much-missed Western steak roll, a few hours of idle chat and a great lounge by the pool soaking in some afternoon sun. Throughout the afternoon they would ask for our room number to which the standard response was, “No worries, we will pay cash.” It was only later when asked very directly by a more official-looking gentleman that Gareth threw out, “Room 416” without even flinching! - We had sat next to 415 at lunch.

It was about an hour later that we were very politely asked to leave as this was “for guests only”… !