Minamar Hotel Giza

... move on to visit the Philae Temple which was dedicated to goddess Isis. It's now reassembled at a new site on Agilika Island about 500km from its former site on Philae Island. (If time allows, additional/alternative morning excursions can be added to Abu Simbel or a felucca ride to view Elephantine Island, the Plantation "Kitcheners" Island and Agha Khan Mausoleum). Overnight onboard Nile Cruise.<br><br><br> <br> <br> <br> DAY 03 - Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples ...

... of this restaurant but we had instructions to keep going until we were at the stables by the Sphinx and we just kept pushing until the security in Giza let us pass. We thought it was strange that traffic was so regulated into the area, but figured it was because of the nightly sound and light show. Finally we drove through this gate in the wall, into what is essentially the stables parking lot, and there we were in front of Barry's Oriental ...

... Riding a camel is best described as a bumpy experience, they sort of lumber along at a decent pace as led by their young guide who doubles as unofficial photographer for whoever is on the camel. Egypt has a huge tipping culture, everyone wants a tip. Our camel photographer was after us for a tip but I wasn't sure how much to give and we'd already been told that our guide would be tipping them so I decided to leave it at that. He wasn't too happy but by that ...

Cairo sightseeing from Ein-Sokhna Port 165$<br><br>Go Egypt Travel representative will pick you up from your Ship Cruise by air-condition modern van to visit Giza Plateau, the three Pyramids of Queops, Quephren &amp; Mykerinos. Visit the Great Sphinx and the valley temple. Have lunch at local ...

... boat for a short trip to the opposite shore, and then make our way to Luxor with two temples combined with about 4 hours of driving. I wasn't looking forward to that schedule.<br><br>But when I got back Victor and Jessica were heading out, as neither one could sleep, so I headed back. We sat around with 3 Columbians, the American guy, and an Aussie for quite a while, the conversation entirely in Spanish and the others sharing Sheesha. I did not partake ...

... have the ISIC card) you have access to the Royal Mummy Room, which I thought would be cooler. I was expecting a huge room with tons of mummies instead it was a small room with about 12 mummies, and tons of people pushing and shoving to see them. <br>I managed to freak myself out thinking that they at any time the mummies would open their eyes are start banging their hands against the enclosure trying to get out. Another thought that I kept ...

... get a feel for the vastness of the ancient city. <br><br>*Krak des Chevaliers was a fairyland castle in the skies that little girls dream about. A definite must-see IMO. <br><br>*The Blue Cruise in Turkey was too much fun. It really felt like a vacation - the other travellers on the boat were a hoot and the scenery was outstanding. The blue of the Med is a color permanently burned into my brain. <br><br>*Abu Simbel was the most impressive thing ...

... curse of Babel makes humans act more like apes than the supposedly intelligent creatures we are?<br><br>Now, after four days of four-hour classes, I know some Egyptian Arabic. Not a lot, mind you, but enough to get around, order food, ask people to breakfast (neftar in Egyptian) and make a more-fluent fool out of myself.<br><br>Suddenly the pollution-packed streets of Cairo seem a bit brighter, friendlier.<br>Now I can laugh over my stumbling words ...

... on until the sun had set, the mosques blared the call to prayer and then everything was eerily silent. By this time we were in a section of largely cloth sellers, and quick glances inside each shop revealed a circle of people sitting on the floor silently ploughing into their dinner with much vigour. <br><br>After returning to the hotel it seemed like a good idea for us to get some dinner too. And just for once Paul, Hoges and I thought we&#8217;d give Gad a ...

... couple of girls who had had time to do a bit of sightseeing before now remarked that they noticed they were actually getting less attention since they&#8217;d joined up with us. Over the course of the tour the number of marriage proposals received was most impressive. <br><br>We had dinner in the street just around the corner from where Paul and I had eaten in the early hours of the morning, and the atmosphere was just as amazing. Then we kicked on to a nearby ...