COV R STOVER T RY COVE STORY
barge sparkled with precious metals while silver-plated oars kept time to the music of fl utes. Cleopatra reposed beneath a canopy of woven gold, fanned by plump young cupids, while lovely nymphs worked the rigging. Two centuries later, the concept of a royal
barge was little changed. There was less bling, and cupids and nymphs were replaced by Egyptian fl unkies and Nubian sailors, but the sense of style was omnipresent. Meaning ‘The Gilded One,’ the two- masted Dahabiyya was common in Egypt in the days of the Egyptian monarchy (1922- 1951) when aristocrats and sophisticated travellers loved to cruise the Nile in style. They rented the boats for weeks at a time
and navigated the river under sail, tak- ing advantage of the strong breezes while soaking up the landscapes and visiting the wealth of enigmatic temples that lie tantalis- ingly close to this waterway that’s synony-
mous with the history of the ancient world. Now, thanks to the prescience of Cairo- based Belle Époque Travel, these eclectic craft have been recreated for 21st century tourists. Each of the six vessels operated by this enterprising company has been hand-crafted using the same methods and specifi cations that have been employed by Nile shipbuilders for generations.
T
hey have preserved not only the art of shipbuilding, but traditional crafts and locally manufactured artefacts. Each Dahabiyya is furnished with Eng-
lish, French and Egyptian period furniture. Some pieces were found in the treasure troves of Cairo’s souks, others were locally crafted in neo-Pharaonic, European or Oriental styles to create an onboard atmo- sphere reminiscent of Egypt’s rich heritage. More importantly, there’s also an engine for use when winds are insuffi cient or
during portions of northbound journeys against the prevailing wind. For travellers familiar with the atmo- spheric boutique hotels known as riads in Morocco, the elegant interior design of these Dahabiyyas is easily conjured up. For those who appreciate the recherché lifestyle of a French barge, the sense of privilege and privacy will come to mind. Four years ago, Bales Worldwide signed
an exclusive contract with Belle Époque Travel and now offers four Dahabiyyas to the British market. Amber, Musk, Nesma, and Zahra all measure 124 ft (37 metres) by 19.7 ft (6 metres) and convey a maxi- mum of 12 passengers in six cabins – two doubles and four twins. Cabins can be booked individually,
while the whole Dahabiyya can be also reserved exclusively for a group of friends. A crew of 11 includes a captain and three sailors; a manager, chef and assistant
Summem er 2010 I WORLD OF RUISOF C UISING Summer 2010 WORLD OF CRUISING 77 7
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