Blogs from Mediterranean, Egypt, Africa - page 4

In the morning we woke up and set our target on Alexandria. The plan was to take the train to Alexandria. Conveniently the train station in Cairo is on the metro line that our hotel was on, which made our transport to the Cairo train station easy. Once we were at the train station, we bought some tickets for the train. A dude from the army took charge of our ticket buying... grr... 5 LE baksheesh again.... We got our tickets (second class air conditioned) and sat down for a short wait. We were able to find a small restaurant thingy where we were able to eat in peace and were able to scrounge some ridiculously overpriced chocolate croissants with one drop of chocolate each. Our train arrived on time and we got on. The train ... read more

Our Blog No.17 After we left Dubai Nicky met up with Alan and Marjorie who attend the same cardiac group on a Tuesday as Barry does and where Nicky is the Health Professional. A lovely surprise - they had already booked last year and never said a word to us that they were travelling from Dubai back to Southampton with us. They celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday 10th April. Before we arrived in Safaga on Friday 8th April we had four days at sea where stringent precautions were taken to ensure we were not invaded by pirates. It was taken very seriously by the Commodore. Fortunately there were no incidents as far as we are aware! Safaga was not a very attractive area and we had already made the decision that we didn’t want ... read more

Had my cruise itinerary not included Alexandria, I probably would not have returned to Egypt. Given the opportunity to visit, I went with an open mind. I was anxious to see the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina (the Library) built to replace the ancient one, previously burned by Julius Caesar in 48 BC during the Alexandrian War. The ancient Library was to have held the world's knowledge. The architecture of the new Library is magnificent to my eye, the competition for its design having been won by a Norwegian. This wonderful modern edifice of gray granite, glass and steel was opened in 2002. Inside the feeling is open with beautiful wood complementing the glass. On each of the 15 levels, there is contemporary sculpture with the nude female body well represented. A lower level houses a contemporary art ... read more

This was the epitome of my cruising! Since I was a child I dreamed of going to Cairo! The ship docked in Alexandria for one day and the next continued to Port Said for the second. I took a crew tour to Cairo to see the Pyramids and the Sphynx. For those who have never been here let me explain how things work. Never I repeat NEVER drink the water or eat fresh fruit. We had passengers who did even after being told not to and of course they became ill... and we all had to suffer. As soon as you enter the city you will be harassed by vendors trying to make a buck. They see you coming and they will always jack up the price. Barter down to a price that you feel is ... read more

August 8th I had decided that I would need to replace my phone and camera as soon as possible, if only to continue taking pictures for the blog. I did the most logical thing and bought a camera phone in the morning. Aanas had headed out early in the morning to meet another CouchSurfer and see as much of Alexandria as he could before heading back to Cairo to catch a plane. After getting a phone and camera I was able to get in contact with Maha, she had offered to show me more of the city. We went to all sorts of places, first we headed to the Qaitbay Citadel, built on the same site that once stood the Alexandrian Lighthouse, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was used ... read more