Incredible Egypt - 2009 memories

   At the ruins in Luxor. The Roman and Greek influence in the architecture is plain for all to see

                                                                       

Egypt is one country I will never tire of visiting, the river Nile, the longest river in Africa runs through it and entire towns and villages are built along its banks which remains the main focus for commerce, industry and tourism. Our tour in Dec 2009 began at Luxor, in the south, and we stayed 4 wonderful nights on the cruise ship Movenpick (yes, catering to many European tourists, I believe the ship was owned by the company).  

We visited Luxor, the Temples of Horus, Temple Hatsetshup, and went all the way down to Aswan Dam, thereon we flew up to Cairo and spent a couple of nights there, followed by a couple of nights at the port city of Alexandria. The entire country is a historical site, with numerous places to visit. Let me list them down :

a)  Nile Cruise

b)  Galabilya boat trip

c)  Luxor 

d)  Abu Simbel to visit the Ramses II statues

e)  Aswan dam

f)   Cairo 

g)  Giza pyramids (must go!)

h)  Alexandria port (Hard Rock Cafe !

Andrew with new friends Wing Sun and his brother Wing Onn  

It is my fervent wish to revisit Egypt one day and explore the temples, ruins and palaces which made Egypt the jewel of world, some 2500 years ago. One almost cannot believe the feats of engineering the ancient Egyptians achieved with only the human brain and hundreds of thousands of slaves. That era is surely over but the human effort to put all the piles of stone one piece at a time, using humans and primitive equipment boggles my mind.  

Some totally unforgettable sights and memories

1. Running 5 K along the Nile while the cruise ship was docked at night and I was hounded literally by the vendors crying Baksheesh or One Dollar to me to get me to buy their wares ranging from T shirts, Nile Pyramids and who knows what all made in China

2. Watching the young girls in the silk factory using their self mechanised machines to weave the carpets

3. Going up the Pyramids of Giza and watching with unbridled fascination the temple of the dead.

4. Haggling with the vendor at Novotel Hotel in our Hotel Lobby for a prized Pewter Card Container. He uttered "I dont know whether to sell this to you or hit you on the head !" when I offered him a ridiculous price and stuck by it all the way.

                                  Noel at the side of the Pyramids in Giza, outskirts of Cairo 

5. Having a beer with the tour guide Anna at the deck of the cruise ship. The contradiction in this scene is most apparent.

6. Watching with fascination when the vendors in their small boats at Aswan throw up their clothes for selling and we on the deck of the cruise ships send money down also by throwing the notes wrapped around coins as counterweights.

7. Riding the 'ship of the desert' or camels.

La Belle Egypt 

8. Eating at a Restaurant in Cairo and all around while we walk, the people ogle at us Asian tourists like we came from Mars

9. Having a snack and a drink at Hard Rock Cafe Alexandria where it seems like a European port city.

10. Going to the National Museum in Cairo and learning the history of all of the ancient Pharoahs, when we went to the toilets, when the place was empty, it was like any other toilet. Once the tourists came, the local people suddenly appeared out of nowhere and demanded "One Dollar" to enter the toilets. 

Talk about opportunism !!!! 

11. Looking at the Carsophogus of Tutankhamen II the Child Pharoah who died in his Teens. 

There are so many memories all good of Egypt that my  distinct wish is to visit this fascinating place at least once more in my lifetime.

Best Time to Visit Egypt

The best time to visit Egypt is Dec - Feb during the winter months as the nights get cool (around 15 deg C) and the days are not too hot, around 28 deg C maximum. Plus point is that the air is dry. 

Carpe Diem