Visiting Cairo – Our last day continued

Visiting Cairo – Our last day

Well, we’d come to the end of our visit and, as always, we’d had a wonderful time. We’d visited Luxor, Aswan and we’d finished up in Cairo.

We’d met some great people, all of them so happy that we’d come to Egypt when many others were still staying away due to some mistaken impression that there were continuous demonstrations and problems. During our whole week’s visit, no matter where we were, we’d met only friendliness and warmth from everyone we met. We’d not seen any disruption or any demonstrations and it’s clear that almost all Egyptians are simply living their lives as normal and are looking forward to getting the country back on it’s feet. One way we can help with that is to continue visiting this wonderful country. Continue reading “Visiting Cairo – Our last day continued”

December 18, 2012

Our Visit To The Egyptian Museum

One of the main reasons that people are interested in visiting Cairo’s Egyptian Museum is due to the fact that all of the artifacts and treasure that was found in Tutankhamun’s burial chamber at the Valley of The Kings is located here at the museum.

So, as you can probably imagine, the curators of the museum leave the “best till last”. In other words you work your way around the museum until eventually you reach the section that is dedicated to the “Boy King”, Tutankhamun.

And…I have to be honest, it really is quite amazing. You will see the jewellery, precious stones and gold that was found in the tomb along with the outer casings of the mummy. By that I mean that the mummified body was placed into wooden “suits” decorated with gold and precious stones. The “suits” were essentially images of Tutankhamun’s body.

But there wasn’t’ just one, there seemed to be a number of them and they fitted into each other just like Russian dolls do.

There were also huge wooden boxes, (I just cant’ remember what they were called) that the mummy was placed into. Huge boxes, again covered in gold leaf and semi-precious stones, and again, the boxes fitted into the previous one, like Russian dolls.

They were pretty big and looked very heavy so goodness knows how they did it. Mind you that’s the same question you ask yourself throughout Egypt. In the enormous temples and sites, at the Pyramids and here at the Egyptian Museum. How on earth did they do it? Continue reading “Our Visit To The Egyptian Museum”

December 7, 2012

MS Misr Nile Cruise Ship

Continuing our visit to Aswan….

We were really excited that we had been invited to have lunch aboard the MS Misr Nile cruise ship.

The MS Misr is a truly unique vessel and is the only one of it’s kind that I know of that is currently cruising the Nile. The reason it’s unique is that it is a working steam ship.

It was originally constructed in Preston here in the UK for use by the Royal Navy and was quite unique because the very first Stephenson reversing system was fitted.

After an illustrious career with the Royal Navy it was bought by King Farouk and converted for his use and used for the venue of one of his birthdays in February of 1939.

Barbara and I were unsure as to what to expect but when we boarded the MS Misr and entered it’s elegant reception we were truly surprised. The ship has been fully restored and it’s decor takes you back to a more genteel and elegant age. It’s influences are a mix of Colonial and Art Deco.

Because the ship only has 16 cabins and 8 suites spread over 3 decks the ratio of staff to clients is such that you are offered a discreet service undertaken by friendly but professional staff.

Cabins are a spacious 21 square meters whilst suites are lager at 30 and 35 square meters. Continue reading “MS Misr Nile Cruise Ship”

December 3, 2012December 3, 2012

Driving from Luxor to Aswan

Day three of our trip involved us driving by road from Luxor to the beautiful city of Aswan (or Asswan as its’ correctly spelt). Barbara and I have visited Aswan on a number of occasions but each time we have arrived by Nile cruise ship. As we’ve sailed down the Nile to Aswan we’ve seen the road that seems to follow the river and often wondered what the drive would be like.

We’ve also seen the railway track that at certain points seems to hug the river too. As we’ve sailed we’ve watched the farmers tending their fields as well as the people who’s settlements and houses are perched right on the river bank. Driving down gave us the opportunity to see what was on the other side of the bank and drive through the various small towns on the way to Aswan.

In total the drive took us about two and a half to three hours but our driver wasn’t’ rushing and often we found ourselves caught up in reasonably busy traffic. So I imagine we could have arrived in Aswan more quickly but we weren’t’ in a rush.

What was really noticeable was the intense greenery of the fields and farms between the road and the Nile and the almost complete desert conditions of the land on the other side of the road. According to conversations we had on the drive the majority of Egypt’s citizens live either on the edges of the Nile or in Cairo. From the lush greenery of the land beside the Nile you can see why. For mile after mile we passed field after field of banana trees, corn, cabbages and other root vegetables being tended by farmers and workers who seemed oblivious to the almost 30 degree heat. Continue reading “Driving from Luxor to Aswan”

September 4, 2012September 4, 2012

7 Reasons to Take Nile Cruise

7 Reasons to take a Nile Cruise

1. It’s only a little over 4 hours flying time from the UK.

2. The transfer time from Luxor Airport to your Nile Cruise ship is only 20 minutes. From arrival in Egypt you will be aboard your Nile Cruise vessel in no time at all.

3. You can choose from a wide array of Nile Cruise ships, from floating palaces such as the superb Oberoi Philae, 5 Star luxury on the excellent Royal Viking and two-masted dahabiyas on which youÂ could well be back Â in an Agatha Christie mystery.

Continue reading “7 Reasons to Take Nile Cruise”