Guest Book

Mogg Morgan of Mandrake in Egypt

"There will be a longer account on my blog "Mandrake In Luxor" - so this is interim note - Mara Guest house suited me in everyway and I certainly will be returning, probably with a posse. I stayed in Luxor the entire week, visiting the sites but also some prospective authors on the West Bank (I'm a publisher). Despite all the "troubles" one hears of in the press - this must be one of the savest cities to walk around in at night. I crossed over to the west bank to visit my clients and came back late - no problem.

The guide books say this is hassle capital of Egypt - but that certainly isn't true. People in Salakhana are interested and friendly but that doesn't really translate into hassle. There are probably some dodgy types around near the rail station but nothing you wouldn't find in UK - beside the local traders have a vested interest in protecting tourists from hassle.

I'm not fond of big corporate hotels and prefer a more low key guest house - actually less hassle and in many ways more luxurious. One of the stars of Mara must be Amr, the manager but also secret cook. Apparently they stopped having a professional chef, as on a good day Amr is a real foodie. It was very quiet in Luxor and Mara's, so not too much going on, mainly just the breakfasts. On my last day Mara suggested I go chill out on the roof garden - they'd wakeme when it was time for my taxi. Next thing I know its 3 oclock and Amr says "I made you some nice soup" - what an underestimate that was!

I took my bags downstairs and chatted for my last 30mins. Another bowl of, this time marrow soup materialised - slight bitter aftertaste but delicious - especially good with the fresh pocket bread. I gotta go back on the promise of more culinary adventures. Mara's says Yarrow soup is therapeutic so I maybe needed the vitamins in that soup.

"Amr!" I said, "You can cook!"

There's more - all things permitting, you just got to go to Mara's."