Well folks, I am back home again after a relatively quick flight (i just everything as quick when compared to the 13 hour flight I had from Malaysia) from Cairo yesterday. I left in beaming sunshine, and it was somewhat reassuring that, as we burst out of the clouds on our approach to Heathrow, that cloudy grey skies greeted me.
I was picked up by Sam and it was really good to see her again after all this time away. We went back to my house where she had set up a surprise (belated) birthday party for me, so that was lovely, as i was starving.
As promised, I thought I would sum up my trip with a few succinct points about each of the countries I visited.
I was picked up by Sam and it was really good to see her again after all this time away. We went back to my house where she had set up a surprise (belated) birthday party for me, so that was lovely, as i was starving.
As promised, I thought I would sum up my trip with a few succinct points about each of the countries I visited.
Egypt
A shot that didn't make it...too much sun!1. When doing a Nile cruise, you really only need to do a 3/4 day cruise rather than a 7 day one, The 7 day cruise is just two 3/4 day cruises back-to-back.
2. There are not enough E£1 notes in circulation, making baksheesh payments a real dilemma.
3. The Valley of the Kings is hotter than Kylie Minogue in hotpants
4. Haggling with locals is a must - unless you want to pay over twice the price for your plastic camel souvenir (which ironically is made in China!)
5. When in a taxi, make sure you a) Assure them you have a reservation at a hotel already (or else they will take you to a hotel where they get commission) and b) agree the price with the driver before starting the journey. DO not pay until you arrive at the destination.
6. You have to walk out into the middle of traffic in order to cross the Cairo roads. You can't wait for a gap, as there is none.
2. There are not enough E£1 notes in circulation, making baksheesh payments a real dilemma.
3. The Valley of the Kings is hotter than Kylie Minogue in hotpants
4. Haggling with locals is a must - unless you want to pay over twice the price for your plastic camel souvenir (which ironically is made in China!)
5. When in a taxi, make sure you a) Assure them you have a reservation at a hotel already (or else they will take you to a hotel where they get commission) and b) agree the price with the driver before starting the journey. DO not pay until you arrive at the destination.
6. You have to walk out into the middle of traffic in order to cross the Cairo roads. You can't wait for a gap, as there is none.
Crossing the road - Cairo style7. Following on from 6. Don't be ashamed to ask for help from old ladies to get you across the roads in Cairo, they are more skilled than you at doing it (don't forget to give them baksheesh for helping)
8. A tour of Old Cairo is not really worth the money.
9. Bring some crackers along with you to the pyramid shound and light show, it is so cheesey!
8. A tour of Old Cairo is not really worth the money.
9. Bring some crackers along with you to the pyramid shound and light show, it is so cheesey!
Jordan
Downtown Amman, from the Citadel1. You need more that 6 hours to do justice to a visit to Petra.
2. While a donkey ride seems like a novelty, the poor animals are treated quite harshly, being made to run in the blistering heat, so try and walk where you can.
3. The view of the Treasury from the siq is one of the most amazing views your eyes will ever see.
4. Driving in Amman is erratic, most cars have visible evidence of a minor collision, don't be afraid to get in a taxi with a crushed side panel, it is normal.
5. You can't get meaningful panorama shots from Mount Nebo on a Canon Ixus 75.
So that is it until next year. It has been fun, lots of fun - but realty has to bite at some point, and I need to pay off my credit card and sort through the thousands of pictures i have taken!!
2. While a donkey ride seems like a novelty, the poor animals are treated quite harshly, being made to run in the blistering heat, so try and walk where you can.
3. The view of the Treasury from the siq is one of the most amazing views your eyes will ever see.
4. Driving in Amman is erratic, most cars have visible evidence of a minor collision, don't be afraid to get in a taxi with a crushed side panel, it is normal.
5. You can't get meaningful panorama shots from Mount Nebo on a Canon Ixus 75.
So that is it until next year. It has been fun, lots of fun - but realty has to bite at some point, and I need to pay off my credit card and sort through the thousands of pictures i have taken!!
1 comment:
me and the girls are glad to have you back home - we missed you loads xxxx
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