Day 2 Egypt – early morning movement

Ah, the 2:30 a.m. wake up call – didn’t happen, glad I set my iPhone.  Nor did they repair the bedside light yesterday….but they did arrive at 3:00 a.m to check the minibar…. suspiciously many people were told they had used things, which they had not, and had to sign disclaimers saying they had not…. We blearily collected in the lobby at 3:15 a.m., were handed cakeboxes with breakfast (yoghurt, awful bread and pound cake) and yes, there were latecomers…. we stumbled onto the bus and went for another awesome Cairo airport experience for our flight to Luxor.
Just as you pass security at the door (after passport control and police checkpoint at the entrance) you notice you are in another line immediately.  Yes, this is Egyptair checkin which to their credit moved very swiftly with all booths manned.  Massive crowds.  We were directed to F52, another security checkpoint with shoes off before going down two floors to the waiting room.  Announcement over the PA about 20” later, our flight had been moved to F51 so we all scramble up the two flights of stairs and over a gate to another waiting room that was JAMMED.  Eventually after another announcement about 1/3 of the people there realized they had been moved to our gate and there was a mad scramble as it was now suddenly “last boarding call” for them???  And after waiting another 1/2 hour standing around (no seats) it turns out that both gates just collect people by bus anyway????  I reckon there is someone behind the sciences giggling at the game of “confuse the tourists”.  In the end we only left 1/2 hr late, completely full flight, thanks to the taxiing starting before the last people had stowed their luggage and sat down…. (did I mention yesterday that in the Egyptian Museum I watched with interest a scaffolding being moved on wheels while a person was standing on it?).
Crowds galore at the other end trying to go to the WC (which so far have been way better than I expected apart from on board Egyptair), collecting luggage and getting to their tour buses.  We went immediately to Karnak Temple where we spent a couple of hours marveling at the size, scope and artistry in the heat (definitely warmer down south), then 1/2 hr to wander around on our own and meet back at the bus – yup, people were late again.  Over to Luxor temple where there was more interesting history but we were all beginning to wilt, having not eaten since 3 a.m. and standing around in the heat…. so were all glad to check in to the boat and grab some food.  Boat is third off the dock so need to cross two to get on which is a bit weird.  Not a bad buffet at all, and joy to be able to unpack.   Did some laundry, gratefully had a shower after first going around the room with wet wipes – it was pretty filthy.  Unfortunately, I am starting a cold and getting fairly congested – so no extra energy to walk into town (very close to Luxor Centre).    And no kettle in the room, alas.  I passed on the visit to the Animal Care Egypt Centre and have no interest in the Light and Sound Show at Karnak tonight so will hopefully be able to rest up a little.
Aside – most of the Brits as per their usual have turned bright red today as did the Icelanders.  Sunscreen seems to be a hidden gem?