More changes - We are getting used to plans being changed. Originally we were to be picked up at 9am for our flight back to Cairo, but last night it was changed to 10am. So time for a final leisurely breakfast at Moevenpick Hurghada. This is a very luxurious hotel, such like I never expected on a VENUS Adventure, but very much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyable. It was pleasing to see a number of tourists still, but nowhere near capacity - a few from the UK, and other parts of Europe and lots of Egyptian and Saudi Arabians. But apparently the Russians who usually make up the biggest number of guests are no longer here, and flights from Russia have been cancelled at both Sharm el Sheik and Hurghada.

Our driver and guide arrived and we headed out to the airport. Everyone is on high alert and it took ages and every vehicle was checked by mirrors and dogs as we approached the airport. Once we got to the airport it was a relatively simple process. Not a lot of people around and we went straight through the security check without having to queue. LL and I both had to go through the screen door three times - something kept making it go beep, but then on the fourth time no beep but we got frisked by a lady who just nodded at us and that was it.

We presented at the counter to check in and LL said I don't have tickets for the changed flight. The guy said " Oh then we have a BIG PROBLEM." Oops, one of those tiny Anxious Moments!! But then he laughed and said "Just joking. All good, I just need your passports" And then made more jokes about us coming from all over the world - Canada, NZ and LL is travelling on a British passport. Our luggage was weighed - I'm still at 23 kg, so not bad, Didn't weigh my hand luggage, I have my little travel bag that Rodney bought me for our 9th wedding anniversay, plus a fabric souvenir shopping bag from Egypt carrying all my purchases. (Will need a bigger bag for purchases once I hit the Spanish shops)

And so through another security check. Our bags went through another xray screening machine and we got frisked again. We were the first people to the gate, and then the frisking lady disappeared and from then on only the men got frisked.

Ha, security - it is so inconsistent. In NZ and Australia you have to empty your hand luggage and separate out your mobile phones, cameras, lap tops and fluids in your see through bag, but here in Egypt they can all stay in your bag. Maybe they have better xray machines.

And so began the waiting. Our flight was supposed to depart at 11.30 but that time came and went and we were still sitting there. Finally a bus pulled up, we were loaded into it and taken out to our plane. As we drove out to the plane we saw piles and piles of luggage sitting outside the terminal - all plastic wrapped and in great big piles.

Anxious moment No 3 - Will our luggage arrive in Cairo?

It was a very quick flight, just over an hour and we landed in a very murky looking Cairo - dull and dusty. Our luggage arrived safely - phew !! and we were met by Amr and the driver and transported to our new hotel - this time Le Meridien Heliopolis.

What a beautiful old hotel, so full of the charm of old Egypt. We were seated in the foyer while Amr had us checked in. This is a rather long process at all the hotels, but we were served the traditional 'hospitality drink' of iced Hibiscus Tea. This is so delicious - very like a Ribena drink, and very refreshing. And today's was probably the best we've had.

Dalia arrived to spend the day with us, and she hurried up the process and we were quickly taken to our rooms, a quick refresh and back downstairs to be taken out for the afternoon. By now it was around 3pm and we were needing to have a snack, it had been a long time since our 7am breakfast so we headed to a café in Khan el Khallili. What a beautiful place. We all ordered something different - Linda needed to have a green salad, LL ordered a bean and noodle dish (can't remember the name and I forgot to write it down) whilst I had taboulleh and labna cheese with some delicious bread.

We polished off a big bottle of water between us, the first water we had today - only got a little drink fruit juice on the plane - so thankfully it had not been too hot today.

And then it was time for shopping in the market Khan el Khallili. What an amazing place - you want it - here is where you will get it. LL told us that this place used to be teeming with tourists, but today we were the only white tourists around.

Everyone wanted us to buy, but we weren't harassed at all, and the shop keepers joked and laughed and asked us 'how can we take your money from you?" when we replied that we had spent it all, they laughed and told us they would print us some more so we could spend it with them.

They so desperately need the tourist trade, and were prepared to haggle and bargain, but we knew how desperately they needed our money so we didn't haggle to ridiculous prices. I bought a couple of souvenirs, some Lotus Flower oil and a wee ceramic dish - but I am always mindful of how much I have to carry home. There were thousands more beautiful scarves and shawls, and the ceramics were just gorgeous - I fell in love with a tiny wee one person tagine, but it was quite heavy so I didn't get one, but now wish I did. And I didn't get any of the beautiful silver jewellery, but really there is only so much you need. And that was the thing - I had to think of whether I really needed it, or did I just want it for the sake of wanting it.

Again everyone was so very friendly - welcoming us to their country and asking us to please come back and bring our friends.

After we had finished shopping Dalia took us to Al Ahzar Park. We wandered around here for an hour or so, and here we became the attraction again. People wanted to have their photos taken with us - young boys, the teenage girls and even family groups. We posed for dozens of photos and the people all wanting to talk with us and find out where we came from and welcoming us to Egypt and asking us to come back.

Everyone was so respectful and it was so much fun having our photos taken with them. We managed to get a few pics with them as well, but they were all giggling and laughing so happy. This is the place that romantic couples come to walk and sit and talk in the evenings and everywhere people were politely sitting chatting with each other, the boys looking earnestly at the girls, who sat demurely with there hijabs or nikabs on, and their hands gently clasped in their laps. But everyone was happy and they smiled and nodded to us as we walked past. Even the heavily veiled ladies smiled at us. I felt very priveledged to have experienced this.

And then of course it was time to eat again - our final traditional dinner with Dallia. Lamb kofta, and grilled chicken, rice and vegetables after the traditional salads - babagnouch, tahina and hummas with bread. I was very wise and only had a nibble of the bread and dips, so had room for the delicious dinner (after sneakily swapping my huge plateful for Dalia's much tinier plate while she was up at the desk chatting) She never noticed, We then filled the left over breads with meat and salads for Dalia to give away to some hungry people , and LL and I made some for our driver, and the scraps were put into a plastic bag for Dalia to take to feed the dogs and cats around her place. This is a habit I have found strange, but admired as there is so much food wasted while so many people are going hungry.

And then, all too soon it was time to say goodbye to Dalia as we were dropped off at our hotel. Our final tips to the driver and a tip for Dalia and we toddled off inside, tired and content. time for a shower and to repack our bags ready for our departure in the morning.

Linda is being picked up at 6am and I am being picked up at 9am. After packing I went downstairs to get some money from the money machine and when I got back upstairs both Linda's were asleep and it was only 8.45pm. I had hoped they would come down to the foyer as there was a singer in the lobby but nup - they were sound asleep already, so I snuggled into bed with my kindle and read for an hour or so before turning out the light and enjoying my one last sleep in Egypt.