After 10 hours and 5038 miles in the air, we have finally arrived into our beautiful hotel. It is a quaint hotel. Very elaborately decorated.

The info regarding purchasing a VISA at the airport were right on the money. I walked through and the VISA vendors were on my right. I also exchanged money there also. No fees!
It was quite nice reminescing with people I'd travelled with previous years.

While we waited on our rooms and passports to be copied, we were served hibiscus juice. It was a bit tastier than cranberry juice. Pretty good and refreshing after that long drive.

Mena House Oberoi

This palatial hotel in the shadow of the Great Pyramids in Cairo has enchanted guests since 1869. Located in forty acres of jasmine scented gardens, Mena House Oberoi has played host to kings and emperors, Heads of State and celebrities. Its royal history is reflected in luxurious interiors that are embellished with exquisite antiques, handcrafted furniture and rich textiles. A variety of international as well as Egyptian cuisine is on offer at the excellent restaurants and bars in the hotel. This is the perfect place to begin your explorations of Cairo.

Mena House was originally a hunting lodge used by Khedive Ismail, the king of Egypt, as a guest house for himself and his guests while on hunting trips in the desert or during visits to the Pyramids of Giza. With the opening of the Suez Canal, he enlarged the guest house to receive international royal guests. Empress Eugenie was of them as was Albert, Prince of Wales.

It was converted into a hotel by the owner, Fredrick Head who named it "Mena House" after the first of the 76 kings on the famous Tablet of Abydos. Although the fittings, architecture and decorations remained oriental in style, some English touches began to appear. At a time when balconies were unknown in hotels, the owner decided that every room should have an open balcony overlooking the Pyramids.

Unfortunately I am not in one of those rooms. We have a window that opens up to the top of the building with millions of pigeons.

The rooms were a bit cold for my taste and I turned the air off for a while.

I'm planning on taking a small siesta as I am truly tired. The turbulence was awful last night and I didn't get much sleep, though I was extremely sleepy. Just couldn't sleep, sitting upright.

Ellen left with the group to head over to the gold shop and the papyrus store. You all know I wasn't making that trip.

I called Sayed (yes another one) on his celli to see if he could pick me up tomorrow for a private tour after we got back from our group tour. His wife answered the phone and transferred it to him. Seemed like a pretty nice guy and highly recommended on Tripadvisor.

I'll add some more, but I've just been invited by Sayed (housekeeper) to view the "Jimmy Carter Suite." Who the heck am I?

The suite was pretty cool. It had 4 rooms all next to each other, well appointed too. Sayed opened the windows and doors for me. The views of Cairo were spectacular. There was even a view of the pyramids.

After my tour he let me back into my room. Ellen is usually the keeper of the key. We're only allowed one key, but it's cool. After a few minutes Sayed comes a knocking and brings me a yellow rose. I actually love yellow roses. He asks if I need anything.

I settle in a bit and then realize I need a converter to hook up my computer. I call for one and it's delivered straight away. After that I'd remembered I'd actually packed my converters. Oh well.

After I realized I couldn't hold my eyes open another minute, I decided to sleep, sleep, sleep.

Ellen came in and the group had already eaten, but I'd packed plenty of snacks, so I'd never go hungry.