World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Sunday 21 June 2009
Highlights: The weird Cairo International Airport
A late check out at 2 pm, waiting for a taxi booked for 7 pm and then a flight (hopefully at 11.45 pm) to Madrid and onwards to Brussels to catch up with Inge who I first met during my 2006 travels.
Saturday 20 June 2009
Highlights: Mohammed Ali Mosque, Turkish Bazaar
Today we started with a visit to the Citadel which houses the Mohammed Ali Mosque. Surprisingly this was my first and only visit to a mosque in Egypt but it was a sight to behold. When entering the mosque you must take off your shoes and the ladies needed to wear head gear. I also got a photo of the city showing just how smoggy it really is, and I had my eyes playing up before of this.
Friday 19 June 2009
Highlights: Trekking up Mt Sinai, Mountain Ranges at Sunrise
With views so spectacular it’s difficult to do them justice in words. We got a wakeup call at 1.00 am and were off to trek up Mt Sinai at 1.30 am arriving about 15 minutes later. As expected Mark decided to sleep in, who can blame him with a 1 am start and a 7 km hike up a mountain in the dark to wait for a sunrise. However in my case I just had to do it and it turned out to be a life highlight.
Thursday 18 June 2009
Highlights: Visiting St Catherine’s Monastery
Today we travelled to the town St Catherine our base to visit St Catherine’s Monastery today, and climb Mt Sinai tomorrow.
Wednesday 17 June 2009
Highlights: Snorkelling in the Red Sea
Today we went swimming in the Red Sea or should I say snorkelling. It was great fun and I got to see lots of different colourful fish. There were a couple of ladies who swam dressed head to toe, likely due to religious and cultural norms, so that was an experience in itself. I assisted several of my follow travellers, Amy had problems with her gear and Gloria needed a little help swimming.
Tuesday 16 June 2009
Highlights: Cancelled ferry and long travelling day
A disappointing day. We got up had breakfast and were ready to go at 7.45 am however the fates had other ideas. The authorities decided the winds were too strong for the ferry so our 5 hour travelling time was changed dramatically upwards with a bus trip now needed. We ended up leaving around 11 am and got into Dahab at midnight. The long trip was necessary as we had to go back up to Cairo and cross over the Suez Canal to get to over destination by then backtracking.
A long travel day but these things happen. As far as I’m concerned I’ve seen the temples, the pyramids, slept and swam in the Nile, ridden donkeys, camels and ATVs the rest of the trip is mostly the relaxing on the beach part so no big deal for me with we have longer travel days. ‘
Monday 15 June 2009
Highlights: All-terrain vehicle desert safari
Our last night in Luxor saw the power go off and on 3 times, once when I was in the shower! Having successfully found my away around in the dark we headed off early to Hurghada. Hurghada is basically a resort town which seems to attract heaps of Russians with money. The best thing about Hurghada is we got to go on a desert safari. This meant two 50 minute ATV (All-terrain vehicle) rides.
Sunday 14 June 2009
Highlights: Karnak Temple, Luxor Museum
Our last full day in Luxor saw as heading to our last temple of the trip the Karnak Temple. In reality this is a series of temples inside each other including one built by Ramesses II. The Temple was built during the middle kingdom and includes the great Temple of Amon-Ra. The Romans made modifications once they got here but it’s still an impressive display.
Saturday 13 June 2009
Highlights: Valley of the Kings, Mummification Museum
Today we got up early to visit the Valley of the Kings. This is the location of 62 Pharaohs including Tutankhamen (King Tut). After a boat ride over the Nile and a short truck journey we all got to ride a donkey to the valley. Luckily I didn’t fall off (or anyone else) but I’m sure it made quite a sight.
Friday 12 June 2009
Highlights: Beautiful sunrise over the Nile, Temple of Kom Ombo, Temple of Edfu, Luxor Temple
During the night at around 4 am I woke up cold sleeping under the stars and ended up needing to use the blanket I took from the QANTAS flight to Los Angeles at the start of the trip. When you think Egypt you don’t think cold but at night it can be very cold.
Nathan's Insights 