Mon - June 16, 2003

Monday, June 16, 2003 (Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt)


With Sandy resting, I'm still enjoying the diving. A hometown buddy. More time in less places might be a better idea from here on. Reflecting on our time in Egypt.

Posted at 12:55 PM     Read More  

Sun - June 15, 2003

Sunday, June 15, 2003 (Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt)


Don't they understand what air-conditioning is for? Beware of Nitrogen Narcosis. And the diving gets even better. Time for some underwater navigation skills. We've seen all things under the sun, now it's all things under the moon.

Posted at 08:34 AM     Read More  

Sat - June 14, 2003

Saturday, June 14, 2003 (Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt)


Not used to having a nice breakfast. Settling into a diving routine. The best diving location in the best diving location is definitely all it's cracked up to be. What? Does this mean we have to dive with our clothes on? Technology gets very old very quickly. Internet banking is a wonderful thing.

Posted at 08:33 AM     Read More  

Fri - June 13, 2003

Friday, June 13, 2003 (Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt)


You don't have to go far to be amazed. You've got to have the right compressed air. Our very first Shark sighting. An overall price.

Posted at 08:33 AM     Read More  

Thu - June 12, 2003

Thursday, June 12, 2003 (Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt)


Has it been three months already? Time to concentrate on how to dive properly. Our very own dive master to pamper us. Our attention to detail has paid off. How about some advanced diving? Egyptian public transportation. Time to change hotels? Time to put on my negotiation cap again.

Posted at 08:32 AM     Read More  

Wed - June 11, 2003

Wednesday, June 11, 2003 (Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt)


Two and a half squares a day. Will we capture the underwater life? How can water possibly be this clean? The view is better below than above. Perhaps we'd better leave the cameras alone for a while? Just two dives so far but so much marine life encountered. American fare in Na'ama Bay.

Posted at 08:32 AM     Read More  

Tue - June 10, 2003

Tuesday, June 10, 2003 (Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt)


Travelling with a travel bug. Travelling around the local area. making friends with the hotel manager is always a good idea. When does Oriental mean Egyptian? Time to crack open the emergency antibiotics. Looking for a dive outfit. My horrible mood surfaced again. A countryman comes to our rescue.

Posted at 08:31 AM     Read More  

Mon - June 9, 2003

Monday, June 9, 2003 (Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt)


The luxury of laying in till four in the morning. Looking after us till the last. Friendly foreigners and strength in numbers.

Posted at 08:31 AM     Read More  

Sun - June 8, 2003

Sunday, June 8, 2003 (Hurghada - Egypt)


High drama on the Red Sea of the very worse kind. The boat leaves but one of our number is missing! Does this hotel even deserve two stars?

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Sat - June 7, 2003

Saturday, June 7, 2003 (Bus from Luxor to Hurghada - Egypt)


Good-bye to Pharonic Egypt but this country has something for all tastes. Next up, sun sand and sea. Tagging along for the ride. Egyptian time is no different to African time. Three stars?! I don't think so! Snorkelling on a full stomach. Taking in Hurghada. Thank you Ehab (Bob).

Posted at 08:30 AM     Read More  

Fri - June 6, 2003

Friday, June 6, 2003 (Luxor - Egypt)


Can't leave yet, some gems still to be seen. Our very own temple. Memories of a massacre. Where are all the tourists now? His full attention. Sunset over the Valley of the Kings. Yet more changes to the plan.

Posted at 08:29 AM     Read More  

Thu - June 5, 2003

Thursday, June 5, 2003 (Luxor - Egypt)


Still slumbering silently. Taking the environment into our own hands. There he is again. The jewel in the jewel in the crown. This guide goes several extra miles. Christmas is solved. If you're not ready, don't leave.

Posted at 08:29 AM     Read More  

Wed - June 4, 2003

Wednesday, June 4, 2003 (Luxor - Egypt)


Letting the Germans get a head start on the day. Driving along the Nile Valley. Still bumping into people we've met before. Knocking off the temples slowly but surely. Our progress is being followed. Another new friend goes the extra mile. Temple treasures by night.

Posted at 08:28 AM     Read More  

Tue - June 3, 2003

Tuesday, June 3, 2003 (Esna - Egypt)


A new day, a new location, a new temple. Tourism isn't what it once was. Plenty of attention for us. The crew are warming up to us. More traditional Egyptian entertainment. Something strange left in our cabin.

Posted at 08:28 AM     Read More  

Mon - June 2, 2003

Monday, June 2, 2003 (River Nile - Egypt)


Two nights in the same bed is just divine. You can't go to Egypt and not travel on a Felucca. Who are these Nubians anyway? Wandering around the bazaars of Aswan. A lazy few days cruising down the Nile. Temples along the Nile. Perhaps it's time to consider this year's Christmas gifts already? An oasis in a sea of Germans.

Posted at 08:27 AM     Read More  

Sun - June 1, 2003

Sunday, June 1, 2003 (Aswan - Egypt)


An early morning ride to the temple in the desert. Still no improvement in breakfast. Arriving in a very bad mood. And just exactly where is this temple anyway? We couldn't believe our eyes. Moving mountains. Travel taking it's toll on the technology.

Posted at 08:27 AM     Read More  

Sat - May 31, 2003

Saturday, May 31, 2003 (Aswan - Egypt)


Why does this man have his hands all over my wife? Asleep, but not really. Our rep. received the full attention of my morning mood. Laying it all out in front of us. OK, let's be tourists for the day. A new friend in our new guide. Be careful where you point that thing. Our first temple experience. Pigeon and chips for lunch.

Posted at 08:26 AM     Read More  

Fri - May 30, 2003

Friday, May 30, 2003 (Train from Cairo to Aswan - Egypt)


All hands to the backpacks again. One last trip to the museum. Just a load of dead people really. A brief window opens through which I talk to the outside world. the overnight train South.

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Thu - May 29, 2003

Thursday, May 29, 2003 (Cairo - Egypt)


A fan of the new fan. An Egyptologist no less! The very first pyramid. Isn't it just paper anyway? The building made from the pyramids themselves. Our route through the Nile Valley is all laid out and paid for. A belly dancer and a man with a skirt?

Posted at 08:25 AM     Read More  

Wed - May 28, 2003

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 (Cairo - Egypt)


Hot air of mosquitoes is not a good choice to choose from. Midnight shower. The psychologically damaging effects of Cairo traffic. All the things Mustafa can offer. What else to see in Egypt. The necessary arrangements for our next country. How to negotiate with Cairo taxi drivers. What are the odds of meeting you here?

Posted at 08:25 AM     Read More  

Tue - May 27, 2003

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 (Cairo - Egypt)


The culture shock continues. Time to become students again. The pyramids await. Negotiations, Egyptian style. World war III narrowly averted. Who said riding a camel was a good idea? Best view of nine pyramids on the plateau. A quick tour around the Islamic Quarter. Time for bed now - so the streets are filling. Different strokes for different folks.

Posted at 08:24 AM     Read More  

Mon - May 26, 2003

Monday, May 26, 2003 (Cairo - Egypt)


Breakfast is NOT their best meal here. Out of the Malaria zone but not yet out of danger. Using our newly acquired skills. And they call this driving? They don't waste time with new arrivals. I think we must look like walking money or something. Finding the backpackers' trail again. Our man Mustafa. A car and driver for just a few dollars. Why did I leave them behind in Botswana? At least we ca communicate. Memories of home life cropping up from time to time.

Posted at 08:24 AM     Read More  


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