In Luxor the Egyptian sun drove us to getting up early to visit the sites. We were all more impressed than we thought we would be. Having already been amazed by previous ancient Egyptian sites, we were still startled by the colour and magnitude of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. There was an amazing hike between the two sites that we didnt take. As you may have heard a theme in this blog, the heat got the better of me. I said I couldnt do it and Yode and Dairn complied, I felt like a wuss until an hour later, when the three of us were nearly passing out from the heat. Well Dairn andI were, Yode could hike to the top of Mt. Sinai in the middle of the night with 2 beers in her and not break a sweat... oh wait a minute she did. (Story later)
However Yode did have the best way to describe the heat to everyone at home. Ok you will need a friend for this experiment. Here it goes: Turn on the oven, open it and stand in front of it. Just when the sweat has started coming out of places you didn't know had sweat glands, get one of your friends to cool you off with a blowdryer... known here as "wind." For the true Luxor experience you should probably have said friend yelling at you asking where you are from and if you need a taxi.
The most amazing site was the temple of Karnak. Considered to be the largest religious building ever built, we felt small amidst the pillars and statues.
Spending the whole day in the pool to drop our core temperature back to "sane," we then took an 18 hour bus ride to Dahab. This must just have been the name of the bus, as the actual ride took 21 hours. We all got a little sleep and were very comfortable, no creepy men. The only slight set back for me was one of my contacts popped out while I was sleeping. This lead to a very confusing 10minutes at the bus stop, with fuzzy taxi drivers grabbing my bag, and me mistaking a back pack forDairn. I was wondering why he was just sitting there. Finally with my glasses on, we drove into Dahab and fell in love!
The Lonely Planet warns, careful you might never leave. The breeze from the Red Sea kept the town cool, the locals were friendly and fun. The town had plently of cheap beer and food to keep us happy.
Although Yode and I didn't know we had it in us we became expert divers. Well we dove twice... and our instructer said he thought we were very comfortable in the water... and I am sure he doesn't say that to everyone.
We stayed here longer then we thought as we lacked the will to leave.
Another huge highlight was hiking Mount Sinai. At first we thought we couldnt go as we mixed up the days of the week (travellers disease) However, after we had two beers our hotel suddenly said we could go that night. Ill timed beer. We would leave at 11pm, get there at 1pm, hike until 3am, watch the sunrise, and then hike an hour back. A little concerning but we didn't want to miss it, even though it was Dairn's last night and he desperately wanted to spend it with us going for a nice expensive seafood dinner. Yode ignored this request and after saying good bye to Dairn we left on our adventure.
The hike was a little trying for me, and Yode considered it quite a work out as well. Our Bedouin guide basically pulled me up the mountain. I was so exhausted I thought I saw a snake and didn't care. With thoughts of "maybe the snake will bite me and Iwill get to rest" we carried on. Although difficult, this was an experience, the sunrise and mountain beauty were breathtaking. Hopefully Ken will do the hike in a few days and will post some photos and additional adjectives on his blog. The way down was over the 3725 steps of repentance. This was much easier. The steps of repentence were built by a monk as an act of penance. The word "steps" should be used liberally... and really, what did that guy do?
On our last night in Dahab we met up with our new friend Ken and his friend Lawerence and finally had that sea food dinner Dairn had been craving.
Leaving Egypt was bitter sweet, but hopefully new adventures in Jordan await us!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Aswan
Before we got to Aswan, my concern about the heat was steadily growing. In Cairo when we told Egyptians that we were heading to Aswan .. they would say "oh, its hot there." And its not here? 50degrees in the summer? Um .. when is summer?
Getting into Aswan, we stayed in a decent hotel that was made great by the small pool on the roof. It wasn't 50 degress, only around 40.
As Aswan was the place to organize Felucca trips down the Nile, we began to look for a sailboat to take us down the Nile to Edfu. We found a great captain named Captain Murad. We discovered later that he had chose us, as we seemed to fit into his laid back sailing style. Beers were not an issue for him, nor was anything really. I would descibe the trip, but why should I when someone else already has. Follow the link on the last blog entry "Yodi gets lazy" for more info.
Before we headed out on our Felucca trip we made it to Abu Simble, 3 hours outside of Aswan, an ancient egyptian place of worship. The only way to travel there was to leave at 3am and travel via convoy. The 3am was to beat the crazy heat, and the convoy was for our safety. No worries Mom, the last bombing in Eygpt was in Dahab in 2006. We get there later :) Still buses were stopped and police used mirrors to look under buses for bombs . I guess. They didn't actually seem to be looking. It also seemed for a little tip (baksheesh) your van was not checked. And although I appreciated the efforts of the Tourist Police in keeping us safe, Yode correctly pointed out that a convoy of 140 buses that is probably visable from space, might not be as safe as they think.
Arriving in Abu Simble, we were amazed by the statues and tombs. We were all less impressed when we found out the whole site had been moved when the Aswan Dam had flooded the original site in the1960's. Still cool though. They did a really good job moving it.
It was also interesting that the dam had flooded an entire country between Egypt and Sudan called Nubia. In fact, in what the Lonely planet describes as ironic, the Sudanese named their portion of the lake, lake Nubia. I wonder if the Nubians find it as funny as the Sudanese.
Getting into Aswan, we stayed in a decent hotel that was made great by the small pool on the roof. It wasn't 50 degress, only around 40.
As Aswan was the place to organize Felucca trips down the Nile, we began to look for a sailboat to take us down the Nile to Edfu. We found a great captain named Captain Murad. We discovered later that he had chose us, as we seemed to fit into his laid back sailing style. Beers were not an issue for him, nor was anything really. I would descibe the trip, but why should I when someone else already has. Follow the link on the last blog entry "Yodi gets lazy" for more info.
Before we headed out on our Felucca trip we made it to Abu Simble, 3 hours outside of Aswan, an ancient egyptian place of worship. The only way to travel there was to leave at 3am and travel via convoy. The 3am was to beat the crazy heat, and the convoy was for our safety. No worries Mom, the last bombing in Eygpt was in Dahab in 2006. We get there later :) Still buses were stopped and police used mirrors to look under buses for bombs . I guess. They didn't actually seem to be looking. It also seemed for a little tip (baksheesh) your van was not checked. And although I appreciated the efforts of the Tourist Police in keeping us safe, Yode correctly pointed out that a convoy of 140 buses that is probably visable from space, might not be as safe as they think.
Arriving in Abu Simble, we were amazed by the statues and tombs. We were all less impressed when we found out the whole site had been moved when the Aswan Dam had flooded the original site in the1960's. Still cool though. They did a really good job moving it.
It was also interesting that the dam had flooded an entire country between Egypt and Sudan called Nubia. In fact, in what the Lonely planet describes as ironic, the Sudanese named their portion of the lake, lake Nubia. I wonder if the Nubians find it as funny as the Sudanese.
Krista in Cairo
A little worried about my first blogging experience. The same rules of spelling and grammer apply to my blog that Yode has previously outline. Also, this key board seems to only have a "c" 50% of the time, so bear with me.
On the plane from London to Cairo, I realized that I had a number of preconcieved notions about Egypt. My fellow pasengers were mostly British, there were no scary men or woman in burquas as I was lead to believe. Breezing through custums, Yode and I met up with enough exitement to be noted by many around us. We talked non stop as she filled me in on Egypt.. not really that scary, very safe and very cheap. Arriving at the hotel Dairn and Yode seemed ok with me joining thier holiday. Dumping my stuff, I took my first walk down the Cairo Streets. Things flew at me quickly.. the heat, the busy streets, strangely dressed women (well they didn't fly at me. .. you know what I mean .. first blog entry, give me a break). 5 Mintues into this walk a man walked up to Yode and I and tryed to grabour breasts. I guess my t-shirt and capris did suggest I was a bit east. I saw it coming and ducked behind Yode. He only got her ..poor guy. Only one day into my vacation and I already learbed something about myself .. I would not be good in a war situation. "Hey are those bullets, don't mind if I duck behind you do you?".
Besidesthe intial culture shock the sites and sounds of Cairo won me over. We spent the time wandering, getting a flavour of the streets.. and I mean flavour .. man can Yode and Dairn eat! Ancient sites and modern Islam, loud calls to prayer, quite mosques, bustling market squares, sheeshas and coffee shops, no alocohol and heat .. everything came at me fast, including the cars. I could have been the jet lag too.
Most of the time I blindly followed the pattern and rythym of Yode and Dairn, who thought nothing of the hear and the sand blowing in thier faces. Apparently they had just been in some sort of desert?
The first day included a trip to the Pyramids. Although the Pyramids were pretty much what you would think, the architecture was mind blowing. They were constructed over 4000 years ago and they are still completly straight. I can't even get my pragoda staight (I use "I" liberally .. thanks again Jeff and Steve)
Then on to the Egyptians Musuem.. mummies! First thought "wow that Ramses was short" second thought "air conditioning!". Crocodile mumies and Pharoahs, you could touh something made 4000 years ago. Well you could , but the "no touch" sign seemed to suggest otherwise. However someone has also arved thier name into the statues so ..I thought I quick feel would be ok.
This is where I began to notice the iron clad security that we were to find all over Egypt. Every loation has sensors, but Egyptians are a trusting lot. The one time Yode was "busted" with her jack knife, they told her "no carving." She promised. I guess there was no reason to mistrust her, she does have blonde hair. Dairn suggested that we hire ourselves out as mercenaries, we would have a 100% success rate.
Canadians seem well recieved. Apparently Egyptians were a huge fan a a drink that has bee off the market here for a while called "Canada Dry". We are often greeted with "Canada Dry, Never Die". We have picked it up now, just saying that we are from Canada Dry. Apparently very funny.
Cairo was my first expereince in a completely Muslim country. The hissing and the marraige offers were at first off putting. Hats off to Dairn to taking this "problem" and turning it into an oppurtunity. Chants of "lucky man, two wifes" were responded to by Dairn with, "how many camels ". I guess someone had to pay for his vacation. We think he was joking ... right ? Dairn?
On the plane from London to Cairo, I realized that I had a number of preconcieved notions about Egypt. My fellow pasengers were mostly British, there were no scary men or woman in burquas as I was lead to believe. Breezing through custums, Yode and I met up with enough exitement to be noted by many around us. We talked non stop as she filled me in on Egypt.. not really that scary, very safe and very cheap. Arriving at the hotel Dairn and Yode seemed ok with me joining thier holiday. Dumping my stuff, I took my first walk down the Cairo Streets. Things flew at me quickly.. the heat, the busy streets, strangely dressed women (well they didn't fly at me. .. you know what I mean .. first blog entry, give me a break). 5 Mintues into this walk a man walked up to Yode and I and tryed to grabour breasts. I guess my t-shirt and capris did suggest I was a bit east. I saw it coming and ducked behind Yode. He only got her ..poor guy. Only one day into my vacation and I already learbed something about myself .. I would not be good in a war situation. "Hey are those bullets, don't mind if I duck behind you do you?".
Besidesthe intial culture shock the sites and sounds of Cairo won me over. We spent the time wandering, getting a flavour of the streets.. and I mean flavour .. man can Yode and Dairn eat! Ancient sites and modern Islam, loud calls to prayer, quite mosques, bustling market squares, sheeshas and coffee shops, no alocohol and heat .. everything came at me fast, including the cars. I could have been the jet lag too.
Most of the time I blindly followed the pattern and rythym of Yode and Dairn, who thought nothing of the hear and the sand blowing in thier faces. Apparently they had just been in some sort of desert?
The first day included a trip to the Pyramids. Although the Pyramids were pretty much what you would think, the architecture was mind blowing. They were constructed over 4000 years ago and they are still completly straight. I can't even get my pragoda staight (I use "I" liberally .. thanks again Jeff and Steve)
Then on to the Egyptians Musuem.. mummies! First thought "wow that Ramses was short" second thought "air conditioning!". Crocodile mumies and Pharoahs, you could touh something made 4000 years ago. Well you could , but the "no touch" sign seemed to suggest otherwise. However someone has also arved thier name into the statues so ..I thought I quick feel would be ok.
This is where I began to notice the iron clad security that we were to find all over Egypt. Every loation has sensors, but Egyptians are a trusting lot. The one time Yode was "busted" with her jack knife, they told her "no carving." She promised. I guess there was no reason to mistrust her, she does have blonde hair. Dairn suggested that we hire ourselves out as mercenaries, we would have a 100% success rate.
Canadians seem well recieved. Apparently Egyptians were a huge fan a a drink that has bee off the market here for a while called "Canada Dry". We are often greeted with "Canada Dry, Never Die". We have picked it up now, just saying that we are from Canada Dry. Apparently very funny.
Cairo was my first expereince in a completely Muslim country. The hissing and the marraige offers were at first off putting. Hats off to Dairn to taking this "problem" and turning it into an oppurtunity. Chants of "lucky man, two wifes" were responded to by Dairn with, "how many camels ". I guess someone had to pay for his vacation. We think he was joking ... right ? Dairn?
Yodi gets lazy
Although tcchnically I have nothing but free time, it has been difficult to find any. I am very far behind on writing up my adventures and it feels like a lot of work to catch-up, (which I am obviously trying to avoid) so in lieu of this I am posting a link to my new friend Ken's blog. Not only has he done an amazing write-up of our cruise up the Nile, he included pictures on his blog.
The Lost Backpacker
As well, I have asked Krista to be a guest writer on my blog, and she has graciously accepted. Now I just need to find someone to manage my facebook and write my postcards for me.
Stay tuned for Krista!
The Lost Backpacker
As well, I have asked Krista to be a guest writer on my blog, and she has graciously accepted. Now I just need to find someone to manage my facebook and write my postcards for me.
Stay tuned for Krista!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Cairo/ KRISTA IS HERE!!!
Yep we are now a trio now!
Briefly, Cairo is great! Yes it is dirty and noisy, but not as bad as I thought it might be. Highlights: The Pyramids, and the mummies. Really gross to see their hair and eyelashes, etc. Went for an amazing dinner on the Nile with our new friends Omar and Frea. And then spent the days wandering the very impressive city and seeing lots of bazaars and markets and mosques.
Then, just in case Krista thought she was going to get any rest on this vacation, we bought over night train tickets to Aswan 2 days after she arrived. Which is where we are now. Krista and Dairn are sleeping and I am once again trying to upload the pictures off my camera. My camera has been amazing and it is totally water, shock, dust, proof but not theft proof and I am soo scared of losing my photos!
Hoping to be out of contact and cruising the Nile for a few days soon!
Briefly, Cairo is great! Yes it is dirty and noisy, but not as bad as I thought it might be. Highlights: The Pyramids, and the mummies. Really gross to see their hair and eyelashes, etc. Went for an amazing dinner on the Nile with our new friends Omar and Frea. And then spent the days wandering the very impressive city and seeing lots of bazaars and markets and mosques.
Then, just in case Krista thought she was going to get any rest on this vacation, we bought over night train tickets to Aswan 2 days after she arrived. Which is where we are now. Krista and Dairn are sleeping and I am once again trying to upload the pictures off my camera. My camera has been amazing and it is totally water, shock, dust, proof but not theft proof and I am soo scared of losing my photos!
Hoping to be out of contact and cruising the Nile for a few days soon!
Desert Detour Delight!
We were a little underwhelmed by Alexandria and headed West to Marsa Matrouh on the coast that was much smaller and quieter. Then we took the bus straight south to Siwa Oasis.
We had brief thoughts that we might be tried of the desert, but we were wrong. The Egyptian desert is totally different then the Tunisian one. The town of Siwa was so small and peaceful and everyone still rode donkey carts around town. We actually wanted to rent a donkey cart but we had to settle for bikes and spent the day biking to different hot springs in the desert and the oasis area. Actually most of the day was me braving taking my camera underwater for the first time and taking all sorts of under underwater videos and pictures. I have at least 5 videos of Dairn diving into the water. I know you will all be lining up for that video screening at my place when I return.
The next day we headed on a mini safari with our new friends, Omar, Frea and Ken. They had picked us up the night before to cut down on the cost of the trip. We had this amazing driver Tashtash who spent most of he time showing off to the other drivers how fast he could drive on the dunes and how big of dunes he could take his truck down. We really had the feeling that tourists were superfluos to their playing and taking videos of themselves. We swam/floated in a salt lake and then went to a hot spring to rinse off and then watch the sunset over the dunes and Libya.
Then after a very quick shower hopped on the over night bus to Cairo. This was not fun, it was cold and there was a creepy guy sitting next to me and annoying me the whole trip. Well another one besides Dairn.
We had brief thoughts that we might be tried of the desert, but we were wrong. The Egyptian desert is totally different then the Tunisian one. The town of Siwa was so small and peaceful and everyone still rode donkey carts around town. We actually wanted to rent a donkey cart but we had to settle for bikes and spent the day biking to different hot springs in the desert and the oasis area. Actually most of the day was me braving taking my camera underwater for the first time and taking all sorts of under underwater videos and pictures. I have at least 5 videos of Dairn diving into the water. I know you will all be lining up for that video screening at my place when I return.
The next day we headed on a mini safari with our new friends, Omar, Frea and Ken. They had picked us up the night before to cut down on the cost of the trip. We had this amazing driver Tashtash who spent most of he time showing off to the other drivers how fast he could drive on the dunes and how big of dunes he could take his truck down. We really had the feeling that tourists were superfluos to their playing and taking videos of themselves. We swam/floated in a salt lake and then went to a hot spring to rinse off and then watch the sunset over the dunes and Libya.
Then after a very quick shower hopped on the over night bus to Cairo. This was not fun, it was cold and there was a creepy guy sitting next to me and annoying me the whole trip. Well another one besides Dairn.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Egypt So Far- Resting in Alexandria
We have not been here long but we have some initial obsevations.
For starters, do not let anyone do anything for you. At the airport, even past security, people in uniform were constantly trying to grab our bags to "help" us out and then ask for Baksheesh (a tip)
And secondly, it is a lot more conservative then Tunisia. most women here have head coverings and quite a few are in full burqas. We went to the beach yesterday to relax by the Mediterranean. Only to be the only foreigners there and all the women were swimming fully clothed. Very weird seeing a women using he beach shower to rinse out her burqa.
There are American food chains every where but we are still managing to eat at side of the road stands and restaurants. We found this amazing seafood restaurant in a back alley. For $6 Canadian they loaded our plate with fresh prawns, calamari, fish and clams. We spend the whole meal debating whether that was the best meal we had this vacation or not.
We think we are going to head to the Suez Canal next and then on to Cairo. We are a little at a loss of what to do next as some one forgot the full Lonely Planet Egypt at home (I'll give you a hint it wasn't me.) Any suggestions?
One more week until Krista gets here and I am soo excited to see her!
I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend!!!
For starters, do not let anyone do anything for you. At the airport, even past security, people in uniform were constantly trying to grab our bags to "help" us out and then ask for Baksheesh (a tip)
And secondly, it is a lot more conservative then Tunisia. most women here have head coverings and quite a few are in full burqas. We went to the beach yesterday to relax by the Mediterranean. Only to be the only foreigners there and all the women were swimming fully clothed. Very weird seeing a women using he beach shower to rinse out her burqa.
There are American food chains every where but we are still managing to eat at side of the road stands and restaurants. We found this amazing seafood restaurant in a back alley. For $6 Canadian they loaded our plate with fresh prawns, calamari, fish and clams. We spend the whole meal debating whether that was the best meal we had this vacation or not.
We think we are going to head to the Suez Canal next and then on to Cairo. We are a little at a loss of what to do next as some one forgot the full Lonely Planet Egypt at home (I'll give you a hint it wasn't me.) Any suggestions?
One more week until Krista gets here and I am soo excited to see her!
I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend!!!
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