Day 10
The felucca ride was amazing. I sailed, I made friends, we chatted, we swam in the Nile. We only sailed about 7 KM and then we took the bus to Kom Ombo (temple of Sorbek) and Edfu (temple of Horus) before driving to Luxor.
Terry and I joined another guy, Derek, and checked into a triple room. It took a few hours of searching before we found a place we liked.
At night we checked out Luxor Museum. It was excellent!
Day 11
I took a tour that covered the highlights of Luxor. A little rushed but well worth it. Visiting the sights in Luxor independently is a nightmare. I paid the tour company to arrange my transport back to Cairo. I haven't had any confirmations yet, but hopefully I should be on a train (or possibly bus) back to Cairo tomorrow evening.
Saturday 2 October 2010
Thursday 30 September 2010
Day 7-9
Day 7
I spent the day relaxing with Padi. I underestimated Cairo traffic and almost missed my train to Aswan. Took the 14 hour train to Aswan.
Day 8
I made a friend on the train - Terry is a pretty cheerful Australian baby boomer. We decided to share accommodation and transport to save money.
Terry and I took the ferry to Elephantine Island and we checked out the Aswan Museum and the Ruins of Abu. The ruins covered thousands of years, starting from the Ancient Egyptians, through the Roman, Coptic and Modern Day. We then went to the Fatimid Cemetery and checked out the Nubian Museum. The Nubian Museum was amazing; the best I've seen in Egypt. It's no surprise as it was only opened in 1997.
In the evening we went looking for a felucca captain to sail us down the Nile towards Luxor. We met one we liked and paid our deposit.
Day 9
Terry and I went to check out the Aswan and High Dams. Wow - they're huge. So huge that I couldn't get the width of Lake Nasser even if I took three pictures. On the way back to the hostel we stopped by the unfinished obelisk.
We're just waiting till mid-day when we are mean to meet our felucca captain. The trip to Luxor should last 24 hours - partly sailing and partly by bus. We should make a stop or two along the way to visit a temple or two.
I spent the day relaxing with Padi. I underestimated Cairo traffic and almost missed my train to Aswan. Took the 14 hour train to Aswan.
Day 8
I made a friend on the train - Terry is a pretty cheerful Australian baby boomer. We decided to share accommodation and transport to save money.
Terry and I took the ferry to Elephantine Island and we checked out the Aswan Museum and the Ruins of Abu. The ruins covered thousands of years, starting from the Ancient Egyptians, through the Roman, Coptic and Modern Day. We then went to the Fatimid Cemetery and checked out the Nubian Museum. The Nubian Museum was amazing; the best I've seen in Egypt. It's no surprise as it was only opened in 1997.
In the evening we went looking for a felucca captain to sail us down the Nile towards Luxor. We met one we liked and paid our deposit.
Day 9
Terry and I went to check out the Aswan and High Dams. Wow - they're huge. So huge that I couldn't get the width of Lake Nasser even if I took three pictures. On the way back to the hostel we stopped by the unfinished obelisk.
We're just waiting till mid-day when we are mean to meet our felucca captain. The trip to Luxor should last 24 hours - partly sailing and partly by bus. We should make a stop or two along the way to visit a temple or two.
Monday 27 September 2010
Day 6
Went to Ramses station to buy my ticket for Aswan tomorrow night. The lady wouldn't sell me a second-class ticket so I had to stump up for a first class. I leave at 10PM for a twelve-hour train ride. And no, it's not the sleeper. I'm supposed to have a seat (hopefully).
Checked out the Citadel complex, Ibn Tulun Mosque and the Gayer-Anderson Museum. Interesting.
I hope to relax for the rest of today. I need a break from sightseeing.
Checked out the Citadel complex, Ibn Tulun Mosque and the Gayer-Anderson Museum. Interesting.
I hope to relax for the rest of today. I need a break from sightseeing.
Sunday 26 September 2010
Egypt Days 3 - 5
Day 3
I spent half a day with Tim. It was great catching up. Then I walked around Zamalek for a while. I stopped by Dewan bookshop, which is one of the premier bookshops in Cairo. After living in Saudi for a year, it was rather refreshing to see the much broader selection of books. Politics. Philosophy. Joy :)
Day 4
I tackled the monster that is the Egytpian Museum over a few hours. I get taken for Egyptian a lot so I decided to see if I could obtain a vastly cheaper entry ticket reserved for Egyptians. I managed to convince the guy at the ticket office. Next came the card checks, which presented the problem. I tried to brag my way out of it but the guy at the gate was adament that I show proof that I was Egyptian. I had to go back and buy another ticket for foreigners. Damn, so close.
I had Koshari for lunch. Pretty good.
Next I headed to Maadi to meet a travel agent to arrange a tour of the Pyramids in Giza, Memphis and Saqqara. On the way there, the guy sitting next to me on the Metro had the most bewildered look on his face when I took out my guidebook. He was surprised that I wasn't Egyptian. Trying to be helpful, he actually took me to where he thought I was headed (and paid for me on the microbus). It turned out that I ended up at Maadi Public Library. Since I was there, I thought I'd have a look around. Again, a refreshing array of books. Then I went to the travel agent and sorted out my tour for Day 5.
Next I went to Al-Azhar Mosque and University. It was awesome. I was moved. Walked around, prayed and then headed back towards the hostel. I stumbled upon a cinema on the way back to my hostel at night and decided to watch the only English-language film they had on offer: Splice. Awful. But it was nice to be inside a cinema again (they're banned in Saudi).
Day 5
Tour of Memphis, Saqqara and Giza. There were a couple of detours to a carpet school and a shop selling painted papyrus art.
My sister Sana got me in touch with one of her friends. He invited me over so I've checked out of my hostel for now. I should be meeting him within the hour. I might head to Aswan tomorrow evening. Let's see.
I spent half a day with Tim. It was great catching up. Then I walked around Zamalek for a while. I stopped by Dewan bookshop, which is one of the premier bookshops in Cairo. After living in Saudi for a year, it was rather refreshing to see the much broader selection of books. Politics. Philosophy. Joy :)
Day 4
I tackled the monster that is the Egytpian Museum over a few hours. I get taken for Egyptian a lot so I decided to see if I could obtain a vastly cheaper entry ticket reserved for Egyptians. I managed to convince the guy at the ticket office. Next came the card checks, which presented the problem. I tried to brag my way out of it but the guy at the gate was adament that I show proof that I was Egyptian. I had to go back and buy another ticket for foreigners. Damn, so close.
I had Koshari for lunch. Pretty good.
Next I headed to Maadi to meet a travel agent to arrange a tour of the Pyramids in Giza, Memphis and Saqqara. On the way there, the guy sitting next to me on the Metro had the most bewildered look on his face when I took out my guidebook. He was surprised that I wasn't Egyptian. Trying to be helpful, he actually took me to where he thought I was headed (and paid for me on the microbus). It turned out that I ended up at Maadi Public Library. Since I was there, I thought I'd have a look around. Again, a refreshing array of books. Then I went to the travel agent and sorted out my tour for Day 5.
Next I went to Al-Azhar Mosque and University. It was awesome. I was moved. Walked around, prayed and then headed back towards the hostel. I stumbled upon a cinema on the way back to my hostel at night and decided to watch the only English-language film they had on offer: Splice. Awful. But it was nice to be inside a cinema again (they're banned in Saudi).
Day 5
Tour of Memphis, Saqqara and Giza. There were a couple of detours to a carpet school and a shop selling painted papyrus art.
My sister Sana got me in touch with one of her friends. He invited me over so I've checked out of my hostel for now. I should be meeting him within the hour. I might head to Aswan tomorrow evening. Let's see.
Friday 24 September 2010
Egypt days 1 & 2
I'm in Egypt for two weeks, so time to revive the old blog. Here's what I've been up to for the first two days:
Day 1 - Wednesday
I arrived at the new Terminal 3 of Cairo International Airport. As I waited for the transit bus to the main bus station, I started chatting to a man who worked for Egypt Air. It was two o'clock and shifts were changing. He was very helpful, gave me tons of good advice and pointed out which bus to take to downtown.
I waited for the bus for about an hour. The guy sitting next to me, Tamer, was also very helpful. The bus ride was about an hour long and we chatted the entire time. The guy is 27 and works two jobs - one at the airport and one in downtown. He takes the daily hour-long trip from the airport to downtown to start his second job. He was very cheerful despite working so hard. Once we got off in downtown, he bought me some Tamarind juice and asked me where I would be staying. He actually went looking for it with me (we didn't find it). After that, he gave me his number and asked me to give him a call if there was anything I wanted during my stay. Wow. As it would turn out later, Tamer was a fair representation of Egyptian hospitality.
Hustler watch 1: I was wearing my old backpack that I took to Malaysia so I attracted some people rather 'eager' to help me. The first one was a guy who said that the hostel I was looking for was full and that he conveniently knew a place that wasn't. I knew that the first part was a lie but I was quite amused at his suggestion so I went along. He took me to a grubby crash pad with no hot water and an over-eager receptionist. I walked out without committing. He continued following me and suggested that he take me to a 'Duty Free shopping mall that only foreigners are allowed to shop in' that was nearby. I said goodbye to him.
Hustler watch 2: Someone else offered to act as my guide by showing me Islamic Cairo. No thanks.
I finally checked into a hostel called Wake UP! Cairo Hostel, a short walk from the Egyptian Museum. Friendly staff. After that, I went wandering around downtown, sampled the street food and crashed. I hadn't had much sleep.
Day 2 - Thursday
The morning was spent trying to acquire an International Student Identity Card (ISIC card). The major tourist attractions provide serious discounts to people who have one. I attempted to negotiate the wonderful Egyptian bureaucracy for a few hours. Went to a few hostels and even found myself asking some immigration officials to no avail.
It was time to meet up with a friend from university, Tim, for lunch. Tim is a wedding photographer and works crazy hours photographing elite wedding in Egypt. He showed me some of his work and allowed me to sit in through a meeting with his assistant. Wow, photography is hard work. I hope to meet him again on Friday.
Tim's assistant gave me a lift. I didn't know where I wanted to go so she offered me a few suggestions. I decided to walk down the Nile. It was amazing. The weekend had started. I first went to the West Bank of the Nile and walked along a serene enclave. There were lots of couple sitting along benches.
Next, I crossed a bridge and went to the more lively East Bank. There were music blasting everywhere and street vendors selling everything imaginable. Amazing. After soaking in the atmosphere, I decided to go back and crash. I asked a kid for directions and he walked along with me for about ten minutes until our paths diverged.
Went back and crashed. Plan for Friday: get ISIC card (I finally found out where to get it) and meet Tim.
Day 1 - Wednesday
I arrived at the new Terminal 3 of Cairo International Airport. As I waited for the transit bus to the main bus station, I started chatting to a man who worked for Egypt Air. It was two o'clock and shifts were changing. He was very helpful, gave me tons of good advice and pointed out which bus to take to downtown.
I waited for the bus for about an hour. The guy sitting next to me, Tamer, was also very helpful. The bus ride was about an hour long and we chatted the entire time. The guy is 27 and works two jobs - one at the airport and one in downtown. He takes the daily hour-long trip from the airport to downtown to start his second job. He was very cheerful despite working so hard. Once we got off in downtown, he bought me some Tamarind juice and asked me where I would be staying. He actually went looking for it with me (we didn't find it). After that, he gave me his number and asked me to give him a call if there was anything I wanted during my stay. Wow. As it would turn out later, Tamer was a fair representation of Egyptian hospitality.
Hustler watch 1: I was wearing my old backpack that I took to Malaysia so I attracted some people rather 'eager' to help me. The first one was a guy who said that the hostel I was looking for was full and that he conveniently knew a place that wasn't. I knew that the first part was a lie but I was quite amused at his suggestion so I went along. He took me to a grubby crash pad with no hot water and an over-eager receptionist. I walked out without committing. He continued following me and suggested that he take me to a 'Duty Free shopping mall that only foreigners are allowed to shop in' that was nearby. I said goodbye to him.
Hustler watch 2: Someone else offered to act as my guide by showing me Islamic Cairo. No thanks.
I finally checked into a hostel called Wake UP! Cairo Hostel, a short walk from the Egyptian Museum. Friendly staff. After that, I went wandering around downtown, sampled the street food and crashed. I hadn't had much sleep.
Day 2 - Thursday
The morning was spent trying to acquire an International Student Identity Card (ISIC card). The major tourist attractions provide serious discounts to people who have one. I attempted to negotiate the wonderful Egyptian bureaucracy for a few hours. Went to a few hostels and even found myself asking some immigration officials to no avail.
It was time to meet up with a friend from university, Tim, for lunch. Tim is a wedding photographer and works crazy hours photographing elite wedding in Egypt. He showed me some of his work and allowed me to sit in through a meeting with his assistant. Wow, photography is hard work. I hope to meet him again on Friday.
Tim's assistant gave me a lift. I didn't know where I wanted to go so she offered me a few suggestions. I decided to walk down the Nile. It was amazing. The weekend had started. I first went to the West Bank of the Nile and walked along a serene enclave. There were lots of couple sitting along benches.
Next, I crossed a bridge and went to the more lively East Bank. There were music blasting everywhere and street vendors selling everything imaginable. Amazing. After soaking in the atmosphere, I decided to go back and crash. I asked a kid for directions and he walked along with me for about ten minutes until our paths diverged.
Went back and crashed. Plan for Friday: get ISIC card (I finally found out where to get it) and meet Tim.
Tuesday 29 July 2008
New blog
Okay, I've decided to try something new. My new blog (if you can call it that) can be found at http://unusualorthodoxy.wordpress.com. I've had 53 views since I started it a couple of days ago, which is not all that bad.
This blog will also migrate to wordpress, if I can still be bothered to write it.
This blog will also migrate to wordpress, if I can still be bothered to write it.
Wednesday 16 July 2008
Back in the UK
I took the coach back up to KL and then took a flight back to London. Then the coach up to Nottingham to visit my sister. Back in London tomorrow for graduation. My holiday's been fantastic. Thank You to all my friends that made it great: Farah, Jonathan, Amna, Ginger, Chung Lee, Brian, Wee Shen. I really owe you guys!
I had my graduation ceremony yesterday. Feels weird to be a graduate.
I had my graduation ceremony yesterday. Feels weird to be a graduate.
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