Monday 15th January
Aswan - Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam (not that impressive) and the Friendship Tower (very impressive)
Dinner at the restaurant on the river wasn't very good, but the icecream and fireworks were great.
It was an early start on the 16th to get to Abu Simbel
Interesting story of how they moved the temples, small but well preserved no photos inside though (Pete found a kangaroo! Mick found a jandal)
Brent Pete Justin and myself went on the camel ride that afternoon on the west bank, loads of fun, camels much better behaved and gentler ride than I was led to believe, still a lot of rocking back and forth but big cushy seat to sit on.
Then we met the rest of the group interested in Kitchener's Island with the 'botanical gardens' and no less than 55 cats. While we were there some trees on the other side of the river caught fire threatening boats moored there, the police with a water cannon came to the rescue.
We had dinner on the west bank in a Nubian village (they don't name their villages) on a rooftop, the fried chicken very good.
The next day we had a free 1/2 day so had a look at the markets checked our emails and stocked up on supplies for the Felucca trip.
Not well enough supplied obviously cos we drank all the beer on the first night! And absolutely no luck nicking beer of the other tour groups moored near us!
The next day was slow to start not helped by the crap breakfast then we stopped for three hours for lunch??? A few more hours sailing then camp again, drum beats and dancing and sleeping on the boat (forgot to mention that!) Finally got BJ and CJ to talk a little, but as they had distanced themselves from the group somewhat this didn't redeem them in the eyes of all the group (I can't hold a grudge of course!).
The next morning we reached our final land ho and visited the Komombo Temple with it's mummified crocodiles then the convoy to Edfu Temple which is the best preserved (I didn't think the best though) there is some damage from smoke and all the gods above the old sand line were scratched out.
When Auguste Mariette first began the clearance of Edfu Temple in 1860 CE, the temple had become a village filled with stables and storehouses, the roof of the Sanctuary area covered in mud-brick houses, and the inner chambers filled with rubbish almost to the ceiling.
Courtesy of Marie Parsons http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/edfu.htm
After the convoy to Luxor we had a few Isis rooms for the afternoon to shower and rest in, we visited the markets and had Italian for dinner at one of the Hotels resaurants before boarding the night train to Cairo.
Arrived 6:30am on the 20th in Cairo and checked back in to the Pharoahs Hotel for breakfast and a shower before we headed off to the Cairo Museum from 9am - 12pm There was a lot of great stuff there, but very jumbled and all over the place and not very well labelled.
Had a couple of burgers for dinner at the hotel and called Ma&Pa.
21st Jan
Called Kathryn this morning then said our farewells
60EGP to get to the Airport with a dodgy taxi driver. My flight to Bahrain at 2:45pm (1 hour ahead in Bahrain).
Arrived in Bahrain and booked a hotel for the night, the photos of Bahrain looked gorgeous, went to check out the options for flights to Bangkok as had originally planned to stay a while in Bahrain but wanted to get to Bangkok sooner but only flight available was that night so I went back to cancel the hotel and booked the flight and caught a 10:45pm flight to Bangkok (9hr flight).
Friday, August 31, 2007
8th January
Drove most of the morning stopping at about 2pm to set up camp near Limestone rocks, had a walk around climbed a nearby hill to watch the sunset. Played a drinking game around the fire but it didn't work very well. I think we are the kind of group that needs to get to know people better first, so Justin the guide very disappointed as he's a big drinker. Had a warmer blanket tonight so not as cold still 0 degrees but no wind tonight, lots of snoring coming from the group!!
9th Jan
Stopped off at a small village to see a local artists house and to buy H2O. Then it was a long drive to El Kasr a little town in the desert, we were pegged to stay on a rooftop there, but as there were no other guests we could sleep inside on the crazy rock hard wonky beds, Julie's was missing some important slats and Grant and Nicole's threatened to break at any moment. They supplied dinner for us which was very good. Also got to have a shower - it was even lukewarm! After my shower while everyone else was playing cards or showering I went for a walk down the main street (Pete was already off wandering around). All the locals were very friendly, saying hello and welcome, only a few unsavoury advances, I was invited to talk to a young woman with children who I had passed earlier (her sister was very bold). While sitting there with them trying to exchange information Peter and Scott walked past, then Amanda, Dwayne and Brent. None of us spoke any Arabic but they brought over a 15year old girl who spoke very good english her name was Marawa (she also spoke french). They all wanted to know who was married to who, Amanda and I must be sisters, how to spell all of our names etc. Marawa was quite taken with Scotty (not married = available but twice her age) The longer we talked the larger the crowd grew around us, especially children. One of the Elders was a bit upset with us taking photos so we thought it a good time to leave.
10th Jan
up at 5am and straight on the truck to get some miles covered then stopped for breakfast at 9am on a helicopter pad in the middle of the desert, our police escort parked a suitable distance away. Made it to Luxor, stayed in some rooms at a campground, better beds, separate rooms with private bathrooms, same price for room or tent space go figure!
All piled into a few taxis to go to the markets, we were required to find galabahas and head scarves to wear out tomorrow night, so a few of us stuck together to strike a better bargain, mine was bright blue and a white headscarf. A lot of great stuff at the market, lots of jewellery and fabrics. It's a nicely paved area with all the little shops crammed with stuff and the owners sitting outside hassling the tourists to come into their shop. "Australian? Australian!" "Very lucky man" "Very beautiful wife" "What you looking for?" "You buy jewelery?" over and over at every shop all down the street!
11 Jan
Visited Karnak Temple and Luxor temple
Won't write much here because the photos tell the best story. All the temples based on the same structure of Open Court (where everybody welcome) an inner court filled with pillars most often carved (for the priest and nobles) and the Sanctuary (holy of holies) where the statue of the Temple's god was placed.
9th Jan
Stopped off at a small village to see a local artists house and to buy H2O. Then it was a long drive to El Kasr a little town in the desert, we were pegged to stay on a rooftop there, but as there were no other guests we could sleep inside on the crazy rock hard wonky beds, Julie's was missing some important slats and Grant and Nicole's threatened to break at any moment. They supplied dinner for us which was very good. Also got to have a shower - it was even lukewarm! After my shower while everyone else was playing cards or showering I went for a walk down the main street (Pete was already off wandering around). All the locals were very friendly, saying hello and welcome, only a few unsavoury advances, I was invited to talk to a young woman with children who I had passed earlier (her sister was very bold). While sitting there with them trying to exchange information Peter and Scott walked past, then Amanda, Dwayne and Brent. None of us spoke any Arabic but they brought over a 15year old girl who spoke very good english her name was Marawa (she also spoke french). They all wanted to know who was married to who, Amanda and I must be sisters, how to spell all of our names etc. Marawa was quite taken with Scotty (not married = available but twice her age) The longer we talked the larger the crowd grew around us, especially children. One of the Elders was a bit upset with us taking photos so we thought it a good time to leave.
10th Jan
up at 5am and straight on the truck to get some miles covered then stopped for breakfast at 9am on a helicopter pad in the middle of the desert, our police escort parked a suitable distance away. Made it to Luxor, stayed in some rooms at a campground, better beds, separate rooms with private bathrooms, same price for room or tent space go figure!
All piled into a few taxis to go to the markets, we were required to find galabahas and head scarves to wear out tomorrow night, so a few of us stuck together to strike a better bargain, mine was bright blue and a white headscarf. A lot of great stuff at the market, lots of jewellery and fabrics. It's a nicely paved area with all the little shops crammed with stuff and the owners sitting outside hassling the tourists to come into their shop. "Australian? Australian!" "Very lucky man" "Very beautiful wife" "What you looking for?" "You buy jewelery?" over and over at every shop all down the street!
11 Jan
Visited Karnak Temple and Luxor temple
Won't write much here because the photos tell the best story. All the temples based on the same structure of Open Court (where everybody welcome) an inner court filled with pillars most often carved (for the priest and nobles) and the Sanctuary (holy of holies) where the statue of the Temple's god was placed.
Carved deep into a pillar
Then we had to meet the Convoy to Hurghada at 2pm and we were off to the Red Sea! To get from one city to another tourists must join a police escorted convoy. I am unsure how this protects the tourists as anyone wanting to harm them would know exactly what time and where they would all be conveniently together!!
Once in Hurghada we got dressed up and went to Pappa's Restaurant for dinner (the other tourists thought we were hilarious!) At Pappa's you can buy a metre of beer, i have photos to prove it, a metre is 11 glasses of beer in a wooden holder only NZ$20. THen we went to Ministry of Sound Club.
12th Jan
We had the option to Quad Bike this morning which I decided against and headed down to the beach to see what the water was like. It was really really really windy, there were a few people sunbathing but the white horses didn't urge me to get my gear off!!
13th Jan (Saturday)
Yay for us no wind and calm seas so we headed out snorkelling, it was loads of fun heaps to see, the water was warm and clear, some of the others thougth it a bit cold but if you were moving it was ok, spent 1.5 hours in the water, got cut a bit on some coral, wish I had bought a waterproof camera, am even more keen to learn to dive now, the phots Justin got of the dolphins were great. The lunch on the boat was great (may be due to extreme hunger?) Julie has become Rashgirl (like an anti-superhero) she wasn't long in the water before she said her skin felt funny so she headed back to the boat where she came out in big welts all over her skin the boats captain was very kind to rub oil all over her skin for her!
That evening we caught the 5pm convoy back to Luxor arriving at 10pm to the Pyramisa Isis Hotel, pretty flash really! And we were so exhausted we needed it!
I have nothing written in my diary for the 14th Jan?? Still in Luxor, think we went to the markets again?
Aswan tomorrow.
Cairo, Egypt
January 7th 2007
Up at 6am to pack and meet up with Tour guide to sort money etc (everyone else did this last night at pre-tour meeting), I was also introduced to the truck and her driver.
After packing up the truck with luggage and supplies we headed off to see the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Amazing how they are in the city only 10min from our hotel. Loads of tourists but very interesting, our first taste of heckling by the Egyptians. Brilliant Buffet lunch overlooking the Sphinx and Pyramids although some of the group opted for KFC!?!?!
Then we headed into the dessert, never to be seen again . . .
Kidding. Slept under the stars (<0deg)
Everyone else on the truck is an Aussie except for the tour guide although he's lived in Oz a long time. Mostly couples, newly engaged (while on trip in Africa) and newly married (eloped to Las Vegas at beginning of holiday) guy and girl (Brent and Julie) travelling together as friends, 1 guy (Scott) by himself. 17 of us in total. All split into teams to deal to cooking cleaning and packing while in the desert. Food pretty good although Egyptian flat bread very dry. Milo with breakfast!
Up at 6am to pack and meet up with Tour guide to sort money etc (everyone else did this last night at pre-tour meeting), I was also introduced to the truck and her driver.
After packing up the truck with luggage and supplies we headed off to see the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Amazing how they are in the city only 10min from our hotel. Loads of tourists but very interesting, our first taste of heckling by the Egyptians. Brilliant Buffet lunch overlooking the Sphinx and Pyramids although some of the group opted for KFC!?!?!
Then we headed into the dessert, never to be seen again . . .
Kidding. Slept under the stars (<0deg)
Everyone else on the truck is an Aussie except for the tour guide although he's lived in Oz a long time. Mostly couples, newly engaged (while on trip in Africa) and newly married (eloped to Las Vegas at beginning of holiday) guy and girl (Brent and Julie) travelling together as friends, 1 guy (Scott) by himself. 17 of us in total. All split into teams to deal to cooking cleaning and packing while in the desert. Food pretty good although Egyptian flat bread very dry. Milo with breakfast!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Amalfi Coast is Gorgeous!
On the 3rd Jan we caught a train and a bus to the Amalfi coast south of Naples on the West coast, staying the night in a little place called Atrani. We walked up to some villages nestled in the cliffs and watched the moon rise, then walked down to Amalfi for dinner. The wind was blowing a bit and the windy road a bit scary at times but came down via dark staircases so more danger of tripping than being run over.
The next morning arrived bright and sunny so we caught a bus along the coast to Sorrento, the road is skinny and follows the coast so a few times we were stuck in a traffic jam because the bus couldn't fit past another bus or truck and one would have to back up (not always obligingly!) There's the option of hiring a scooter but I wouldn't advise it after seeing a few close calls with scooters vs cars!
From Sorrento we caught a train back to Naples and 6 small rooms.
The next morning 5th Jan we were up very early to catch a city bus to the train station for a 6:30am train to Roma. Once there we went to the bank, did internet stuff, ate and got on our respective trains to our respective airports. Peter's heading direct to Cairo while I go via London. Stopped in at Shona and Lloyds (Shona very sick poor thing) to pick up some of my things, do washing, buy a sleeping bag and repack, I sent a box of things home (long wool coat from Ireland not likely to be needed in Egypt and Thailand!). Then flight to Cairo and the Pharoahs hotel.
The next morning arrived bright and sunny so we caught a bus along the coast to Sorrento, the road is skinny and follows the coast so a few times we were stuck in a traffic jam because the bus couldn't fit past another bus or truck and one would have to back up (not always obligingly!) There's the option of hiring a scooter but I wouldn't advise it after seeing a few close calls with scooters vs cars!
From Sorrento we caught a train back to Naples and 6 small rooms.
The next morning 5th Jan we were up very early to catch a city bus to the train station for a 6:30am train to Roma. Once there we went to the bank, did internet stuff, ate and got on our respective trains to our respective airports. Peter's heading direct to Cairo while I go via London. Stopped in at Shona and Lloyds (Shona very sick poor thing) to pick up some of my things, do washing, buy a sleeping bag and repack, I sent a box of things home (long wool coat from Ireland not likely to be needed in Egypt and Thailand!). Then flight to Cairo and the Pharoahs hotel.
Tivoli Saturday 30th December
The town not the Fountain, not sure of the relationship, anyone have any ideas?
We caught a blue cotral bus out to Tivoli for the day, quaint little place with stand your spoon up in it hot chocolate and low cost too, we got a bit lost out the back blocks and too early for the market but nice to have views of the countryside and be away from the city.
Pete on a train to Naples this afternoon.
Sunday 31st
I spent all day in bed except for a 20min excursion to the supermarket for food/drink where I nearly fainted (managed to get served before sitting in a corner until the world came back into focus). Managed 40min out of bed from 11:50pm until 12:30am to see some fireworks, very noisy and not very pretty.
Monday 1st January 2007
Rome
Sleeping
2nd Jan
Train to Naples met Pete at the station found the kiwi chick from xmas eve by chance at the station. Stayed at Hostel "6 small rooms" run by Aussie Jenny. The girl on reception: "the cat's name is Simon you can kick him if you like" not a big cat fan! Small place, large kitchen with stove! single beds, linen included, breakfast included. Markets for lunch: cheesy buns, hot chicken and chips. Walked around old city of Naples.
We caught a blue cotral bus out to Tivoli for the day, quaint little place with stand your spoon up in it hot chocolate and low cost too, we got a bit lost out the back blocks and too early for the market but nice to have views of the countryside and be away from the city.
Pete on a train to Naples this afternoon.
Sunday 31st
I spent all day in bed except for a 20min excursion to the supermarket for food/drink where I nearly fainted (managed to get served before sitting in a corner until the world came back into focus). Managed 40min out of bed from 11:50pm until 12:30am to see some fireworks, very noisy and not very pretty.
Monday 1st January 2007
Rome
Sleeping
2nd Jan
Train to Naples met Pete at the station found the kiwi chick from xmas eve by chance at the station. Stayed at Hostel "6 small rooms" run by Aussie Jenny. The girl on reception: "the cat's name is Simon you can kick him if you like" not a big cat fan! Small place, large kitchen with stove! single beds, linen included, breakfast included. Markets for lunch: cheesy buns, hot chicken and chips. Walked around old city of Naples.
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