After a lovely quiet night and a good sleep, we are up early for a 7:30 departure for our excursion to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple, Habu temple and the Colossi of Memnon. It starts to sprinkle lightly and much excitement is evident all around. Tarek explains that this is the first time it has rained in 7 years! Wouldn't you know it - just when we visit. We call it drizzle really but the clouds are quite threatening. At least it doesn't look like ...

The tea did keep me awake and after finally falling asleep in the wee small hours, my phone alarm awoke us at 4am with its gentle cello concerto alarm. Bags outside the room and breakfast box consumed, we reluctantly leave this beautiful hotel bound for Cairo airport. With little or no traffic at this hour, we rather enjoy the peaceful drive but our peace is shattered once inside the terminal. One could only describe the check-in and security procedures as abso...

Sunday is a working day in Egypt (Fri/Sat is the weekend) and with that the traffic is even heavier than before. At least the sky is blue this morning with a light breeze helping to blow the smoke haze away. If the breeze blows too hard, it brings in the sand from the desert whch covers the city in a sandy layer. The forecast temp today is 32 degrees and this is almost the beginning of winter! Our bus driver Hassam picks us up after a hearty breakfast along with ...

Friday: After the mad rush to get to NY, then to the airport, we finally can relax as we fly across the Atlantic to Frankfurt and then onto Cairo - 7 hours & 4 hours hops. It is a balmy evening when we emerge from the airport, such a contrast to New York. The rep from Viking Cruises waits for us while we buy our Egyptian visas for $15, then together with another couple of our group, we make our way by mini van to the Sofitel al Gezirah, our home for the next ...