Egypt 20 March

Re: Egypt 20 March

hi there. i'm booked up for the jewels of egypt 20th march. by the looks of things both tours will join together for the boat trip on ms melodie (possibly several groups on this boat??). can anyone confirm this?

anyway, probably see you on the boat!

Re: Egypt 20 March

I'm starting Nubian Sailtrek March 20. Would also love to hear from others who will be in Egypt at that time!

hslowe at gmail dot com

Re: Egypt 20 March

Hi everyone,
great to here that a few groups are to join the nile cruise, might see you before that in the hotel in Cairo.
see you then

Re: Egypt 20 March

Hello Langy,

I haven't done this trip but have done the Jewels of Egypt tour. You should have a wonderful time, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

I would suggest that you drink only bottled water, cheaper if purchased from street vendors (the same for soft drinks) ...just check that the seals are intact. When on the overnight train do not use the water on tap, not even to clean your teeth. Take heaps of bottled water & use that. Also take heaps of tissues as you will have to pay to use toilets...will cost extra for toilet paper. It is easier to carry tissues than toilet rolls. Also take hand wash & ensure you use it after handling money...you will soon learn why!

If you get a few people together you can organise a taxi to take you all to different sites not covered in your tour. Organise this through your Hotel or through your tour leader, ensuring the price is agreed on before leaving & that the driver knows exactly where you are going. Pay when you get back, you can split the cost between you all. The driver will wait whilst you wander around to your hearts content.

I haven't been on Melodi as yet but if it is anything like little Amy then you will all be comfortable & well looked after. Your meals on board will be very enjoyable. You used to be able to purchase drinks & ice cream on board Amy, so I guess the same applies to Melodi.

Things to do??? Well how long do you have??? In Cairo you could visit the Cairo tower or one of my favourites Khan El Khalili....when you can shop til you drop. Or perhaps visit the Citadel or if you are like myself & enjoy the pyramids you could get a taxi to take you out to Giza or even further out to the pyramids at Dashur or Meidum. Both of these are further out in the desert & therefore away from the never ending vendors....& much quieter!!

When in Aswan I visited the unfinished obilisk which wasn't everyones cup of tea but I enjoyed seeing it & trying to work out how they moved them from where they were chiseled out of the rock, down stream & then erected....amazing stuff!! I also suggest that you enjoy a meal at the Aswan Moon ...a restaurant floating on the banks of the Nile. Or perhaps you would prefer to enjoy a meal at the Nubian village. A visit to Philae Temple is well worth seeing. The extra cost to visit Abu Simbel is a must if you can afford it. Abu Simbel has some of the best artwork in Egypt. Or perhaps you would like to visit the Museum or enjoy high tea at the Old Cataract Hotel where Agathea Christie wrote Death on the Nile.

In Luxor, I would suggest a visit to Luxor Temple, the Ramesseum, Medinat Habu, Hatshepsuts Temple....if you are keen on archeology all are worth a visit. Keep an eye out for the bridge strut covered in hieroglyphs as you approach Luxor.

Just enjoy the sight of Egypt slowly passing you by whilst aboard Melodi, there is heaps to see. Such as the terraced farming on the banks of the Nile. The beautiful colours of the sands embracing the banks of the beautiful Nile River. By the way if you are into fishing try catching a Nile Perch at Aswan. The Nile is crystal clean at Aswan, one of my favourite places in Egypt, just so beautiful it touches your soul.

If you are planning to enjoy a snorkel in the Red Sea I would suggest taking your own snorkel. Just worries me as to whether they have been cleaned properly between each use.

Don't worry you are travelling in good hands....your tour leader will be well trained & the tour extremely well organised. So just concentrate on having a good holiday.

If I can help in any other way please don't hesitate to ask. By the way Langy what part of Oz are you from??

Wish I could be there too.......Debbie

Re: Egypt 20 March

Thanks for the info Debbie,
I see you are from Kangaroo Flat! i am from the Adelaide hills,My name is Samantha Langbein. i all so noticed you have a picture of an arab, Do you ride? i used to compeate in the arabian shows!
I must say i am glad you have told me not to clean my teeth with the water...Tanks for that one. Looking forward to the pyramids. Did you to the sound and light show at Karnak? if so what is it like?
Sam

Re: Egypt 20 March

Hello Samantha,

Yes I have done the sound & light show at Karnak, which was quite interesting. It is fairly long & remember to wear comy shoes as you are walked around through the temple for quite a while before you are actually seated.

The sound & light shows I have seen in Egypt are all very dramatic, with laser lights & lots of music etc. They generally follow the history of wherever it is being held. ie if at the Great Pyramids of Giza it tells the history of the great Pharoah. The first time I saw the one at Giza, I sat there wondering what Pharoah would think of it all if he suddenly woke up!! But I wouldn't miss going to one on offer just for the experience. There is also a sound & light show at Philae, which I haven't seen as yet. But I feel this would be quite special, as the trip to island at night would make it all the more magical. Remembering that the temples of Philae were rescued after the great dam was built & moved to another island. The Nile river is just so beautiful around Aswan, wish we had that crystal clear water here in OZ.

Yes I am from Kangaroo Flat......but Vic not SA!!....sorry. And yes I breed Straight Egyptians. The horse in the photo is not one of mine, but belonged to a friend of mine. Has since been sold. But he reminded me so much of my old stallion Arabian Park Afraz, that I begged for the photo! I used to show alot....about 30 shows a year & was more often on a horses back than off. But for the past 5 years I have had my head in text books as I was finishing a nursing cert & then started on Lab studies....I'm an idiot. Have deferred the last few months as I am so tired of study....just burnt out! I'm hoping to be able to do some more showing next season...but that's another story.

Have a wonderful time on your trip, let me know if I can help in any other way!! As always, I wish I could be there too ......Debbie.