The Egypt Trip

Between Saturday, November 12th and Sunday November 27th, 2004 I traveled to Egypt. I spent Sunday-Tuesday in Cairo, Wednesday-Thursday in Aswan, Thursday-Saturday sailing on the Nile, and Saturday-Monday in Luxor. I then traveled to the Sinai Penisula spending Monday-Tuesday in Hurghada, Tuesday and Wednesday in Sharm el-Sheikh, and Thursday at Mount Sinai. I returned to the Nile valley, spending Friday and Saturday in Alexandria, and Saturday and Sunday in Cairo. This trip was interesting, in part because Egyptians are both the nicest people I have ever meet and the most clever and tricky rip-off artists I have ever meet and because the sites are incredible.

Day 1 Camel riding is quite popular in Egypt. I normally preferred to walk but had to try it out for a short distance. A 20 hour trip between take-off in Portland and landing in Cairo.
Day 2 A classic picture of the Pyramids. Exploring the Pyramids and attending a dance show at night.
Day 3 I learned much about Mosques and visited many, many of them. Exploring the Citadel and around, Coptic Cairo, and the Egyptian Museum.
Day 4 Islamic Cario is dense. Mosques are everywhere. Exploring Islamic Cairo and the Khan al-Khalili market. Overnight train to Aswan.
Day 5 Philae has excelent carvings. It is hard to beleave it was once under water. City tour of Aswan, Philae Temple, High Dam, and Unfinished Obelisk. Walk through the market area. Visit the Nubian Museum.
Day 6 Abu Simbel at the Southern border or Egypt is unreal. Trip to Abu Simbel Temples and start a Felucca (small sailboat) ride down the Nile.
Day 7 Into relaxing mode on a Felucca. Full day of sailing on the Nile.
Day 8 Inner sanctuary of Horus Finish sailing on the Nile, visiting the Temple of Kom Ombo, visiting the Temple of Horus, and getting oriented to Luxor.
Day 9 The Temple of Hatsheput Tour of Luxor, including Valley of Kings, Temple of Hatsheput, Valley of Queens, and Colossi of Memmon. Then after lunch, touring the Karnak Temples and the Luxor Temple.
Day 10 The wind surfing teaching bay for the hotel. Long bus ride to Hurghada and exploring Hurghada.
Day 11 Hotels are fancy at Sharm el-Sheikh Ferry to Sharm el-Sheikh. Exploring hotel area, going on a ATV ride into the desert to a Bedouin village. Exploring Na'ama Bay.
Day 12 Snorkeling in Ras Mohamed Snorkel trip to Ras Mohamed National Park. Exploring town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Day 13 Veiw from Mt Sinai Touring St Katherine’s Monastery. Climbing Mt Sinai. Exploring town of Al-Milga.
Day 14 Typical street scene in Alexandria Bus ride to Alexandria. Viewing waterfront including Library, aquarium, and Fort area. Wonderful dinner as Fish Market. Exploring market area.
Day 15 Pompey's Pillar Pompey's Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa and train ride to Cairo. Seeing the Pyramid light show in Cairo.
Day 16 No more Pyramids Twenty-five hour return from take-off in Cairo to landing in Portland Oregon.


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