We arrived at 05:05. The airport was so easy and the visa took seconds to buy. All I had to do was pay US$15 at one of the many bank stalls. Our plane was early but all the same, the hotel pickup guy was waiting. It was still dark outside (about 10 degrees or colder with the wind chill) and by 05:30 we were racing into the city. The streets were deserted and it was soon clear that speed limits and the use of designated lanes are optional. From the outside Hotel Isis looks like a derelect building ... and it really is about 300 metres from the Egyptian Museum. The foyer is spacious, very dusty and furnished with no more than a rusty bike and a stack of bald tyres. The ancient lift looks like it won't work, but it does .. to the 14th floor anyway.

After 26 hours in transit I was too tired to sleep, but after 'pottering' about and enjoying a very filling complimentary breakfast (omlette, beans, falafelle and bread), I decided to have a cat nap which turned into a lion nap as I woke after 15:00 and in time to witness Cairo in sand storm!

Aase and I decided to go out to dinner (she didn't have that breakfast) and after browsing the shoe shops, she found the best Egyptian restaurant - Felfela's and we enjoyed a delicious meal for just LE200 or US40.