Started the day bright and early with a hot air balloon ride above the never ending sands of the Sahara and the bright greeness of the water rich Nile River valley. Temps were already in the upper 20's at 530am. It was going to be yet another hot day. Arriving to the "balloon field" we spotted about 25 balloons in various stages of setup and groups of people milling about. With 32 people in our basket we were supported by the largest commercial … [Read more...]
Adventures in Luxor
There are hundreds of tombs cut into the hillsides west of Luxor but the best restored tombs are in the Valley of the Kings. Chamber after chamber are decorated with colorful hieroglypics and drawings. Some are situated at the back of canyons and go down several levels. After visiting and then ascending one such tomb the 40C temps outside felt like an arctic breeze in comparison to the stuffy, humid, sweltering temps found in the chambers! … [Read more...]
Entering Luxor
Luxor lies along the banks of the great Nile (the longest river in the world). If it wasn't for the Nile there would be no population here (a ribbon across the great Sahara Desert. The green of the agricultural fields extends both sides of the river maybe 8-10km where it abruptly ends at the sands of the Sahara Desert. The town is spread out along the east and west banks with most of the population centered on the east side. There is no bridge … [Read more...]
Hanging out in Cairo
At the moment I'm sitting in sleeper train on our long transiberian journey - not much to do here so we are chugging the vodka. Actually this is the overnighter from Cairo to Luxor. This is doing it in real style - a private suite for 2 people, AC controls per suite and the calming rocking motion that you can only get on a train will quickly put us to sleep - oh and the 32 hours it took to get here from Cali will certainly help. With not much … [Read more...]
5 Important Tips for Enjoying Egypt
Egypt is one of the most fascinating destinations on the world tourist map. This extra ordinary country is today the favorite vacation spot for many, just like it was in the days of the early Greeks and Romans. The thoroughly cultured Greeks, in particular, were fascinated by this civilization that predated theirs by at least 2000 years. When you decide to visit Egypt, you always worry about climate, save places to visit and stay, where and … [Read more...]
Egypt Uncovered
A vast expanse of sand stretched out before me, the fine soft grains covered in abstract monoliths of all shapes and sizes. For a moment, I felt as though I had been transported onto the film set of a "Star Wars" movie. All I needed now was my son's light saber and you could call me Luke Skywalker. The rock-strewn landscape glittered like gold in the midday sun, the harsh rays bouncing off the twisted structures. Eager to get a birds eye view … [Read more...]
Five Days in Vegas
Our plane touches down at eleven o'clock pm after a five hour flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. My wife and I start our five day vacation in-famous Las Vegas. For fifty-nine years I have been meaning to pay a visit to the city where anything goes and finally I have made it thanks to a little incentive from Hurricane Ivan. We jump into a taxi and right away the happy-go-lucky driver wants to know if we want to take the freeway or the strip … [Read more...]