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Quiet time in Dahab

February 21, 2009 in Africa 2009 by Moi | 3 comments

So, yesterday was a waste day in Dahab, a resort town on the gulf of Aqaba.

Just walked around, drank beer (except for the place that wasn’t open because he wasn’t awake yet).
Our group is hanging out together quite well, we ususally do meals together. The food is not extraordinary but good, here there is a lot of sea food. You order by weight before it is cleaned.
Dahab must be a divers/snorkel center as there is a lot of it here. The coast goes out about 30m shallow, 0.6m, then drops right off and those that have snorkeled say there are lots of fish and coral to be seen.
Today on to Cairo and split off this group to head for Alexandria tomorrow. Take care all.

Cairo and beyond

February 19, 2009 in Africa 2009 by Moi | 3 comments

So, we saw some more older pyramids near Cairo and then on we go. At 9:00 yesterday morning we went through the tunnel at Suez City under the Suez canal and entered Asia. We then drove down the east side of the gulf of Suez about half way heading inland about 15 minutes south of Abu Rudies to Mt. Sinai, staying in a neatish hostel and doing the ascent. 1250m up to 2285m to the top. The old man made it and am pleased with myself, didn’t even slow the others down.

It wasn’t as severe as how someone punishes me but it was a climb for sure. This morning we looked over the monastary there and then drove to Dahab, about half way down the west coast of the gulf of Aqaba and are checked into a neat resort for the next two nights with no tours planned, just wander around, look at things. This is a resort town for wealthy Egyptians. Oh, I’m drying off from a dip in an arm of the Indian Ocean.
An incident that happened, do NOT try to take pictures of the police here!!! We have been quite safe, I have not felt at risk and have been well off the beaten track a few times. There is a large police presence, mostly with an armed police about every block in touristy areas but around banks and we went through about six check points across the Sinai peninsula, bedouin country. This country does try to make it safe for tourists and locals.
Oh, I can see Sudia Arabia across the gulf from our pool. It is sunny and about 30 something although yesterday was cool.
For all off you, this trip set up for me is working very well and is well worth the assistance of Trekescapes/Gecko. It is more packaged than some trips I’ve taken but lots has been included, quite an experience so far.

Leaving Luxor

February 16, 2009 in Africa 2009 by Moi | 4 comments

We are done the deep history part of the tour, having gone to the valley of the kings this morning. I would really stress that to do this tour in summer would be insane both for crowds and temperatures. Had a great donkey ride to the valley, my donkey kept trying to lead the way even if I was hauling back on the reins. There really is some outstanding preserved stuff to be seen here but if one is interested it would be best to take more time and maybe small private tours.
The locals are friendly, just watch out because they want baksheesh for anything or nothing.
We take an overnight train back to Cairo tonight, hopefully this ones bathroom was cleaned in the last year or so.
Extremely lush country and farm land immediate to the nile with absolute desert outside of irrigation.
Just to let you know, so far I have not found a computer that will allow photo downloads, I may already have quite a bunch.

Next step

February 15, 2009 in Africa 2009 by Moi | 3 comments

OK, I am down some back street in Luxor and found an internet. We got on the boat, a quite upper class boat trip but really relaxing. Heat, we have had some quite hot days, nights are cool.
Aswan was a beautiful city, morris think of the Valencia and sister city thrown together. Wow you should experience the aggresive street sellers here, I mean aggressive but you can get through them. Market street in Aswan was a zoo, I must be Hogan by now in fact. By the way, peas soaked in a pepper brine go well with beer. Try Arabic web sites with arabic writing someimte.
Abdul, our leader is fantastic. Other guides have also been good.
OK, temples, some are fantastic but I’m getting a little templed out. The Amon Ra here at Luxor is wow awesome though, best so far with the previous being Ramses II as mentioned.
Nubian village at Aswan was an experience as was wandering back streets here in Luxor. I did do a camel ride, try it sometime, different. Most of these will require better explanations when I get home. By the way, do not ever plan this trip in summer as it is busy now, can you imagine the crowds at busy time. Also, walking a temple at 45???

Feet on the ground, mostly

February 13, 2009 in Africa 2009 by Moi | 2 comments

Quick post as this site is painful slow.
Since I last posted we did an overnight train to Aswan, not recomended for the weak and tired, me but it got us here.
Beer is 15-20 EP and hard to find, they do not drink publicly here. Yesterday went to the temple of Isis at Aswan, neat. Then did a Faluta boat sail around the island in the nile. Beautiful, laying on the deck on matresses having tea and talking with our group, very peaceful and recommended. Today saw the temple of Ramses II, best thing so far. It is out in the Sahara about 3 hours bus from Aswan. We just moved onto our cruise ship for the next 3/4 days of nile cruising so will post later.
Our group is actually 3 of 14. Ours is coming together and visiting is fun. I’m rooming with 59 year old Micky from Australis as is most of our group. Tonight we play football against another group.
Post later, moi

Arrival

February 11, 2009 in Africa 2009 by Moi | 2 comments

OK, that was a flights. From departure to bed at 4:00 in Cairo in 32 hours, we are 9 hours ahead of GP. All connections went smooth including no long treks at any airport. I even had 4 seats to sleep across the Atlantic. Arrival went smooth, my pick up just took me through easy. Actually all security was smooth. By the way, I have seen palm trees, lots actually. Got into many short meet the stranger chats along the way, especially in Amsterdam meeting people from everywhere.
Cairo itself looked quite cosmopolitan and clean at that time of the night oin zero sleep. Today our trip to the local pyramids showed more what I expected. Traffic actually rivaled south america this afternoon. Room is clean and definetely OK. Met my group, 14 in all, one of special interest, ha ha. Went inside a tomb, looked at the Egyptian museum based only on ancient Egypt and it would take a long time to actually explore. Tut’s gold mask and all that stuff. Only 1 local meal so far and no beer but that is about to change, 57 hours on 2 sleep is a bit of a stretch so pardon any spelling errors. My transfer pick up gut, Macmoud was real nice.
People are friendly, lots of english. The sellers at the Giza pyramids were on the extreme side though.
luv, moi

OK, I’m off

February 7, 2009 in Africa 2009 by Moi | 1 comment

I leave on Monday and can actually say I’m very excited. Take care everybody, next post will be from continent 5.

30 hours, 5 countries

March 9, 2007 in General, South America 2007 by Moi | 1 comment

This is from Simon’s office, we are back north of 49. A fairly uneventful trip other than the fact that it went so smoothly. We’re tired but have to go pick up the pictures before supper and bed.
Mendoza, read, Isabell and Walter and family were again a real nice treat to cap off the trip. Our supper at El Buque reminded us that Argentinian steak is just as good and that restaurant definetely can do what I call blue rare.
WE ARE BACK, moi

And, farewell to sur america

March 7, 2007 in General, South America 2007 by Moi | 1 comment

Well folks, this is our last full day south of that imaginary line of equinox. I must say that this trip just increased my pleasure at visiting down here and I strongly recommend this as a destination.
We often finish a post and then remember much more that we could have said but like Morris says. that’s why people actually hang around with us, we don’t give it all away too early. So, you’ll have to visit with us, in person, to hear the rest of the story.
Other than that, Isabell and Walter warmly greated us to Mendoza as did their hijos. This was special for us and capped off this trip. Last night, at El Buque, we had another fantastic steak meal, perfectly cooked, it is probably our favorite restaurant down here. Tommorrow we do the pass, one of the nicest pieces of highway to drive over. Then plane, then join you all for your gloriously warm spring.
Luv, moi

Buenos Aires

February 27, 2007 in General, South America 2007 by Moi | No comments

Got here about 1 in the morning, very warm and humid, what a difference for this trip. Finally got to the hotel and encountered a glitch with the computer booking but Morris, in fine style, got us a bed. Right now I’m waiting for her to wake up and this part will start.

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