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Published: November 28th 2007
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Arriving in Cairo late at night would be a traumatic experience, except that we had organized a hotel transfer. On exiting customs there was a smiling Egyptian with a “The Bensons” sign . Transfer was fantastic and we were in bed within about 45 mins of landing.
The Windsor hotel is one of the very old establishment hotels of Cairo, past it’s grandeur, sadly. But it was an atmospheric place to stay with a great bar and a quaint old fashioned lift, with a lift attendant. However, it was the Sphinx and the Pyramids that we had come to see. Early next morning Dad and I went for a walk and met a guide called Ali.
We negotiated a 130 Egyptian pounds tour for 6 hours and he drove us, weaving and braking, through the chaotic Cairo traffic to Saqquara to see the oldest Pyramids, built by Djoser. This is the step Pyramid and is dated about 2500 BC, supposedly the most ancient building in Egypt, if not the world. You are not able to enter the Pyramid but there were a few interesting tombs here to view.
Then back to Giza, through the gritty, grinding chaotic Cairo
traffic. Ali was very insistent that we should do a horse ride around the Pyramids, but we resisted and found ourselves a great restaurant overlooking the Pyramids and watched the sound and light show, which was very spectacular.
We returned the following day for a walking tour and the sunset over the Pyramids… it was something you could just sit and stare at for hours.... , we then raced back to Cairo to get our transfer for the overnight sleeping trains to Aswan.
The best sleeping Train I have been on yet. On arrival in Aswan we picked up our floating hotel to travel back up the Nile to the ancient city of Thebes (now known as Luxor). We were joined by our personal Egyptologist guide called Mena, who took us to all the sights and gave us some insights into them.
The unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its quarry was fascinating…so big but damaged. We cruised to Kom Ombo and visited on a full moon evening; then off to Edfu temple which was excavated from many meters of sand. Our trip there from our cruise ship was by Caleche, a small horse trap, decorated with much
silver and leather, driven by a Nubian man.
However, the highlight of the cruise had to be ancient Thebes (Luxor) and the Valley of the Kings. We spent 3 days trying to absorb the magnificence of this place, the pre-eminence being a balloon flight in the early morn in front of Hatshesput’s Temple and over the valleys of the Kings and Queens.
This balloon flight is a MUST for anyone traveling to Luxor, I know it's a touristy thing as I counted around 20 balloons on the way, but once you are up and floating 1000's of feet above the valley of the Kings and Nile.. it was something that left us all quite speechless.
After leaving the cruise, we stayed an extra night at the Iberotel (well recommended), right on the banks of the Nile with great views to the Valley of the Kings…spent time lying around the pool just gazing at Hatshesput’s temple, with many felucca sailing the Nile.
The Nile cruise ships were very luxurious, but unfortunately, when trying upto port each night, you bank up against 4 or 5 other boats and your bedroom balcony/window of the Nile becomes someone else room.
I would recommend anyone thinking of the Nile cruise, get 3-4 nights in a nice hotel in Luxor and a 1-2 night trip on a felucca.
Returning to Cairo by another sleeper train we were ready to hit the museum, especially to see the treasures of Tut’s tomb, which we had visited in the Valley of the King’s and we were not disappointed.
Poor old 18 year old Tut was a very minor Pharaoh, but the Treasures of his tomb were amazing. It's quite impossible to image what kind of treasures one of the more illustrious pharaohs would have been buried with.
In front of the Hilton, we negotiated another driver to take us on an Islamic and Souk tour and managed a wonderful lunch in a beautiful park, which was a breath of fresh air in polluted Cairo. 10 days in Egypt was enough and we were ready to fly to London and then NY…here we come!
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The Nomad
Camo
Egypt
Well took ya long enough to get that blog up lol but good one, looks like you had a good trip.. By the way, where u get the idea for the reflection photo from??? Just wonderin lol ;) Looking foreward to NY... again!