Danger on the high waters.

[Dusak]

My taxi driver was telling me last night that a couple of days ago he picked up one of his regular visitors that was staying at the Hilton. He had taken a carriage for the return journey to the hotel and happened to mention that he would like a sail down the Nile to end up at the Hilton. The carriage driver recommended his friend that owned a boat. So he arranged the trip for the following morning. The tourist got on at the Sheratan hotel. The boat was named the Amsterdam. As they arrived at the Hilton the ''captain'' held a knife to his throat and told him to give him all his money or he would kill him. He emptied his wallet of £60 and 450Le.

My driver asked him if he had reported it to the tourist police, the tourist said no as he didn't want his holiday spoiled for three days going back and to. My taxi driver offered to take him there and then at no cost as it could happen again to someone else and it would be a quick visit as the boat was named, the ''captains'' name was known and he had a good description of the man, but he remained adamant that he was not going to report the matter. My driver said that he suspected that he wanted to remain quiet about it as the tourist was gay, not that I can understand that being a good enough reason for keeping quite in regards to such a serious incident that could of turned nasty. So be warned, stay clear of the boat Amsterdam and all who sail it.

[carrie]

I really wish he had reported it to the police, these kind of things will continue if the fellucca/motor boat captains realise that they can get away with it. I will certainly be looking out for this boat.
Maybe Dusak it would be worthwhile you emailing the Gov and aprising him of the problem.

[Dusak]

I really wish he had reported it to the police, these kind of things will continue if the fellucca/motor boat captains realise that they can get away with it. I will certainly be looking out for this boat.
Maybe Dusak it would be worthwhile you emailing the Gov and aprising him of the problem.

I have to say carrie that I stay firmly on a retired expat living abroad position with no inkling in contacting the powers that be to point such happenings out. If the person concerned can not be arsed, then I'm not going to do it on their behalf past posting this warning for others. I much prefer to stay below the radar. You only have to think back when there were two others that thought they could change the world by just buying a t-shirt. Look what happened to them, publicly whipped, outed and denounced in their absentia. I'm far to fragile to go though all that... again.

[carrie]

Hold my hand up Dusak, you are right I am wrong. Not being sarcastic a genuine comment.

[Dusak]

Hold my hand up Dusak, you are right I am wrong. Not being sarcastic a genuine comment.

Not at all carrie, you raised a vallid point which I had no problem with. Many more may have thought the same.

[newcastle]

The moral of this sorry tale is : Don't get on a felucca with an unknown captain, recommended by an unknown (presumably) caleche driver. At least, not on your own.

What was the "regular visitor" thinking ?!

He should have known better and obviously knew better than to report the matter to the police which would undoubtedly have ended in more grief than losing a hundred quid. An accusation, without witnesses I assume, by a gay man travelling alone in a felucca.....mmmmmmmm. I can see the police being sympathetic...NOT.