My four day three night cruise ended a couple of days ago. I was picked up by the travel agent representative, and we were taken sightseeing immediately. When I initially signed up for this cruise I didn't realy know what to expect, and I didn't realize that the entire time we would be on a fully guided tour. I usually avoid fully guided tours, and it's my first that lasts several days. My guide was very knowledgeable, but he did speak a little too much, too quickly. I don't think he knows how much information he tells me and how little I can absorb at one time. In fact, I had to review what he said each evening by reading my guidebook. We started our trip by staying yet another day in Aswan. Once I saw ... read more

My last full day in Cairo took me to the Egyptian Museum. A five fold procedure to get in. 1) A metal detector 2) buy tickets 3) check you bags and cameras 4) check your tickets and go through the turnstile 5) go through a second metal detector. There were lots of people hanging around. I was asked by several guides if I wanted a tour, I declined. The map in LP was sufficient for me. Despite the building looking a little like a warehouse, there are some spectacular exhibits on display. The first floor central hall has some very large statues. I found the nearly lifesize statues of the royal couple: Rahotep and Nofret. Amazing that this beautiful statue so well preserved is about 4600 years old. Lot's to see on the first floor, but ... read more

Today, I saw the pyramids. And yes, the Great Pyramid is very large. I opted for a tour organized by the hotel. Just me, the tour guide and the driver. First, they took me to Islamic Cairo to visit a mosque. It's a beautiful mosque, and very different in design from the Turkish mosques. We also climbed a minaret to get a view of the city. Down below was the city of the dead, a cemetary. And looking out I could see perhaps a couple of kilometers in every direction. There is a lot of pollution and heat here to really obsure the view. Cairo is a huge sprawling city, but it's impossible to see from one end to the other. It's very monochromatic, you really see only one colour as you look: a sandy brown, ... read more

This afternoon I went to Asia. It's only a 20 minute trip on the ferry across the Bosphorus. There is not much to do as a tourist on the other side, I found myself always looking toward the European side. I am staying in a hotel on the European side, all the major sights are on the European side and most of the commerce is on the European side. I waited until the sun set looking toward Europe, as the minarets silhouhetted against the red sky. I had dinner in Asia tonight. I crossed back into Europe and watched as Istanbul was turning on its lights. Quite a sight. Ferries cross the Bosphorus as large container ships work up and down from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. It's a very busy and entertaining stretch of ... read more

Only a few more hours before I am away from Ankara. This has been quite a different experience to the other Turkish cities I have visited. Almost no tourists. All the commerce here is for the Turks. I sat in a restaurant this morning that did not have an English menu. The waiter spoke very good English. However, English speakers here are the exception. Last night I took a taxi to the 100 m tall Akatule tower. There is a revolving restaurant. Sure I paid more for dinner, but it was a good view. Still, I paid less than I had at some Greek restaurants. I have never been to a revolving restaurant before; only the floor moves while the outer walls, ceiling and inner core remain fixed. I took a few photos before the sun ... read more