Cairo-Pyramids, Pyramids-Cairo, the two words are inevitably linked although there are pyramids to be found elsewhere. For me it is particularly fitting that the Pyramids are our last stop on this trip. The Pyramids have been the top of my ‘must see’ list for many years. Together with a Nile trip, and we are about to achieve both during this flying visit. The flight from Cape Town crossed the African continent, for 9 hours glimpses of Africa were visible through the cloud cover. Little detail from 38000 feet but one can get a feel for the sheer scale of the landmass below. For the first time we neither gain nor lose time, Cape Town and Cairo are both GMT+2. We arrive at 7pm, it is dusk and since we were up at 5am, sleep sounds ... read more

Dubai…. One of severn emirates, together making up the United Arab Emirates, formed in 1971. Prosperous, growing quickly, building everywhere. Including on land ‘manufactured’, by dredging from the sea bed to make islands off the coast. An international financial and trading centre, a meeting point between east and west, as indeed it has been over the centuries. Very ‘oil rich’ and it shows! We have travelled 21500 miles so far and are continuing our way westward, and should complete our circumnavigation next week. Here in Dubai we have three days to catch up and relax. Not being on business it is our intent to see and to shop, the latter being one reason for visiting this city. After a good nights sleep and some superb omlettes for breakfast (best ever anywhere) we head for the ... read more

Beijing-China, the Great Wall, Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Chairman Mao…, all names to invoke thoughts of events both recent and historic. And here we are en route to what was called Peking in my old atlas. Arriving at the newish airport some distance from the capital there is much evidence of a massive building program in preparation for the Olympics (August 2008). A modern airport is taking shape plus high-speed rail links confirm the rate of growth and investment taking place. The atmosphere is heavy, the sun hidden in the haze, which looks familiar to those of us who recall London in the 50’s. A long transfer to our hotel, very modern and well appointed. Top of our list is the purchase of a genuine ‘coolie’ hat as used by workers in the paddy ... read more

From Honolulu to Sydney, across the date line so we ‘lose’ a day and cross the equator about ten minutes later! For us it is the first time in the Southern Hemisphere so we really are in new territory! The crew have provided everyone with a certificate, the flight deck have signed all 250 copies! We arrive early with the help of a favourable jet stream and pass over Sydney Harbour, which really does look special from up here. We have changed time zones from 10 hours behind to 10 hours in front, so little change to our bodyclocks! We are expecting to meet up with some ex-neighbours who have retired to Queensland and who are to join us for a few days. Also to collect some documents for a project so we look for ... read more

Las Vegas to Hawaii, our third stop on this RtheW trip of a lifetime and the first location not previously visited. From now on for us it is all ‘new ground’… Yet another early call for a flight takeoff at 9:30 am on a bright spring day with a distinct chill in the air. Again no hotel breakfast but muffins and black ‘cawfee’ in the departure lounge. Good ‘sideways’ view of the Strip from the tarmac but no opportunity to attempt a ‘panoramic’ shot. On board settle down for the eight hour flight to Honolulu. As a toddler, I have listened to ‘Hawaiian style’ music played on the steel guitar by my dad so we have many mental images of Waikiki and the Hawaiian scene… On arrival, a traditional greeting for everyone, a lei, beautiful ... read more