Off to Paris, Arrived at around 11:00am.
Feels nice as there is a little overcast and cloudy. Kind of fresh!
Went for a walk from Eiffel Tower to the Louvre for something to do.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 8 - Heliopolis, Khan Al-Khalili, prep for flight to Paris
Caught a tram to Heliopolis, an Egyptian English teacher spoke to me and bought my ticket for me. It was a nice gesture but the 25 piastres ticket works out to about 5 cents ;-). He was helpful in where to get off too.
I saw the Uruba Palace, where Mubarak has offices. Heliopolis is supposed to be a trendy area of Cairo. Passed by the Amphitrion open air cafe and carried on to see the Basilica which is an impressive church. I actually missed seeing Baron's place which is supposed to be impressive. Probably just too much walking under the sun that I forgot.
The main thing I came to see was the October War Panorama. This was built with the help of North Korean artists. It is just a look at the 1973 'Victory' the Egyptians had over the Israelis. When I got there, which was a 2km walk out of the way, they said there would be no show unless there were 15 people at least. There was a family of 4 waiting and then I came, no show until more showed. So I hung out for a while, and a group of school kids eventually came by to justify a showing. I don't see the big deal about turning on a movie for less, but the attendants, who were doing there military service there, said the rules were the rules. So I was quite happy to see the kids arriving to justify a showing.
Sort of glosses of the fact that the Israelis severely pounded them back very shortly after. But it gave the Egyptians leverage to get the Israelis to negotiate with them. I listened to some English commentary and it layed it on pretty thick about rising up against severe injustice and all that. Typical propaganda style documentary a la World War II/Eastern Bloc style. But still pretty good.
Went back to Khan Al-Khalili for a few more souvenirs before leaving. I have arranged a taxi to pick me up at 4am to take me to the airport for my Paris flight. I will be staying at the Hotel du Printemps there. Will be a refreshing change of weather as I have had as much heat as I like and would like somewhere a little cooler. Egypt & Jordan have been great!
I saw the Uruba Palace, where Mubarak has offices. Heliopolis is supposed to be a trendy area of Cairo. Passed by the Amphitrion open air cafe and carried on to see the Basilica which is an impressive church. I actually missed seeing Baron's place which is supposed to be impressive. Probably just too much walking under the sun that I forgot.
The main thing I came to see was the October War Panorama. This was built with the help of North Korean artists. It is just a look at the 1973 'Victory' the Egyptians had over the Israelis. When I got there, which was a 2km walk out of the way, they said there would be no show unless there were 15 people at least. There was a family of 4 waiting and then I came, no show until more showed. So I hung out for a while, and a group of school kids eventually came by to justify a showing. I don't see the big deal about turning on a movie for less, but the attendants, who were doing there military service there, said the rules were the rules. So I was quite happy to see the kids arriving to justify a showing.
Sort of glosses of the fact that the Israelis severely pounded them back very shortly after. But it gave the Egyptians leverage to get the Israelis to negotiate with them. I listened to some English commentary and it layed it on pretty thick about rising up against severe injustice and all that. Typical propaganda style documentary a la World War II/Eastern Bloc style. But still pretty good.
Went back to Khan Al-Khalili for a few more souvenirs before leaving. I have arranged a taxi to pick me up at 4am to take me to the airport for my Paris flight. I will be staying at the Hotel du Printemps there. Will be a refreshing change of weather as I have had as much heat as I like and would like somewhere a little cooler. Egypt & Jordan have been great!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
June 7 - Citadel in Cairo and Khan Al-Khalili
Today, I tried to get up early and start the long walk to the Citadel. After asking many Cairenes who were not much help, I did finally get there. The streets were sometimes hard to navigate with my map. Pretty warm out too.
I got there and it the Citadel is a large walled complex with Mosques and Museums inside. The exhibit on the Malmuks was closed. 2 fairly nice mosques, a Police Museum, and a Military Museum. It was one of the last things I had to cross off my list in Cairo before I go to Paris.
I then proceeded to Khan Al-Khalili, which is the market place for the tourists to get the standard souvenirs, etc. Bargaining is something that I don't usually like because I know I am going to get ripped off a bit. But I find if you talk with them, then walk away not interested, they will come down and chase after you. That gives you some info for the next vendor. Then you can hopefully find the bottom price range. Pretty hot and I found a few things.
I headed back to the hotel for a nap, went out to eat. Bought some cigarettes for my Dad, I really shouldn't do it though.
Tomorrow, I will try and head out to the Heliopolis suburb, do a little shopping back at Khan Al-Khalili. Then get ready for the flight to Paris the next day.
I got there and it the Citadel is a large walled complex with Mosques and Museums inside. The exhibit on the Malmuks was closed. 2 fairly nice mosques, a Police Museum, and a Military Museum. It was one of the last things I had to cross off my list in Cairo before I go to Paris.
I then proceeded to Khan Al-Khalili, which is the market place for the tourists to get the standard souvenirs, etc. Bargaining is something that I don't usually like because I know I am going to get ripped off a bit. But I find if you talk with them, then walk away not interested, they will come down and chase after you. That gives you some info for the next vendor. Then you can hopefully find the bottom price range. Pretty hot and I found a few things.
I headed back to the hotel for a nap, went out to eat. Bought some cigarettes for my Dad, I really shouldn't do it though.
Tomorrow, I will try and head out to the Heliopolis suburb, do a little shopping back at Khan Al-Khalili. Then get ready for the flight to Paris the next day.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
June 6 - Day Trip to Alexandria
Today, I took a morning train to Alexandria to check out the sites there. As you visit Alexandria, it gets you thinking obviously of Alexander the Great's pursuits and accomplishments. They had a world renowned library around 400 BC or so. Egypt had 2 of the 7 wonders of the world in the Pyramids and also the great lighthouse they had at Alexandria. But unfortunately the lighthouse suffered due to an earthquake in the 1300s. It was about 115 to 135 metres tall which back in the day was pretty amazing! It was on the Pharos island at Alexandria, Alexander's town was pretty amazing.
I spent a good portion of the day walking for sure.
Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqafa where some interesting underground tombs. Pompey's Pillar & the Sepapeum were interesting Roman ruins with a large pillar. Apparently when the Library of Alexandria grew to big, they opened up a daughter library here to store the overflow.
Went to the relatively new and impressive Bibliotheca Alexandrina (new library) and saw the planetarium outside. Went to the Chatby Necropolis which is some more tombs. Visited the Alexandria National Museum as well, had a great collection of Egyptian items as well as items on Alexandria.
Visited the Roman Amphiteatre as well, it was a lot of walking that day. Caught the train back to Cairo.
So after Alexander was buried in Alexandria, his general Ptolemy took over Egypt and this blood line eventually led to Cleopatra. Travelling makes you think about the bigger timelines and I find it very interesting.
Tomorrow planning to visit the Citadel, before maybe hitting the Big Market for some deals and hope I don't get ripped off too much.
I spent a good portion of the day walking for sure.
Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqafa where some interesting underground tombs. Pompey's Pillar & the Sepapeum were interesting Roman ruins with a large pillar. Apparently when the Library of Alexandria grew to big, they opened up a daughter library here to store the overflow.
Went to the relatively new and impressive Bibliotheca Alexandrina (new library) and saw the planetarium outside. Went to the Chatby Necropolis which is some more tombs. Visited the Alexandria National Museum as well, had a great collection of Egyptian items as well as items on Alexandria.
Visited the Roman Amphiteatre as well, it was a lot of walking that day. Caught the train back to Cairo.
So after Alexander was buried in Alexandria, his general Ptolemy took over Egypt and this blood line eventually led to Cleopatra. Travelling makes you think about the bigger timelines and I find it very interesting.
Tomorrow planning to visit the Citadel, before maybe hitting the Big Market for some deals and hope I don't get ripped off too much.
Friday, June 5, 2009
June 5 - Cairo
Woke up, changed hotels for the next 4 nights at the African Hostel. Went to the Pyramids of Giza again because I love them so much.
Got a haircut at an Egyptian barber.
Thinking about going to Alexandria tomorrow too!
Got a haircut at an Egyptian barber.
Thinking about going to Alexandria tomorrow too!
June 4 - Aqaba to Cairo
Well mostly travel, woke up in Aqaba, caught the ferry to Nuweiba, took a long busride to Cairo, found a hotel that I split with a Swiss guy I was travelling with for the day.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
June 3 - Wadi Rum Desert Scape
Well, got up real early and got the mini bus to Wadi Rum. Usually you have to arrange the tour in advance. But I decided to wing it. I got on the bus and there were 2 Malaysian ladies and I joined them on their tour for some cost savings too.
You basically get a guide at Wadi Rum and then you go around in a 4x4 and tour the desert for the interesting sites there. Including some sites that Lawrence of Arabia visited. Again pictures will do it more justice than my descriptions.
The Malaysians returned to Petra but I got dropped off on the highway and waited for a service bus to pick me up and get to Aqaba.
In the Amira Hotel in Aqaba, tomorrow try and get to Dahab, then the next day return to Cairo.
You basically get a guide at Wadi Rum and then you go around in a 4x4 and tour the desert for the interesting sites there. Including some sites that Lawrence of Arabia visited. Again pictures will do it more justice than my descriptions.
The Malaysians returned to Petra but I got dropped off on the highway and waited for a service bus to pick me up and get to Aqaba.
In the Amira Hotel in Aqaba, tomorrow try and get to Dahab, then the next day return to Cairo.
June 2 - Petra (Wadi Musa)
Well, Bojan and I got up early to get a mini bus to Wadi Musa so we could catch the sites at Petra. The driver was on Arab time, so real slow. We got to Wadi Musa and stayed at the Cleopetra hotel for the night. Got ready then went to get ticket so to visit the Petra site.
I tried to get information on swimming in the Dead Sea, but is pretty much impossible to do on a tight timeline, so that is the first thing I could not do in this trip.
It is a huge hike in the Petra area. The Treasury is the most famous site at Petra, there are many others too. I spent about 5 hours hiking around taking photographs. The photos will speak alot more about the site than my mere words. Truly impressive!
Plans sort of changed, despite buying a 2 day pass to Petra, I have decided to go onto Wadi Rum for the next day and Aqaba to start heading back to Cairo.
I must say that things are a little more expensive in Jordan but the people are nicer. The Egyptians are all over you to buy stuff and it is really annoying after a while. Jordan is a nice change.
I tried to get information on swimming in the Dead Sea, but is pretty much impossible to do on a tight timeline, so that is the first thing I could not do in this trip.
It is a huge hike in the Petra area. The Treasury is the most famous site at Petra, there are many others too. I spent about 5 hours hiking around taking photographs. The photos will speak alot more about the site than my mere words. Truly impressive!
Plans sort of changed, despite buying a 2 day pass to Petra, I have decided to go onto Wadi Rum for the next day and Aqaba to start heading back to Cairo.
I must say that things are a little more expensive in Jordan but the people are nicer. The Egyptians are all over you to buy stuff and it is really annoying after a while. Jordan is a nice change.
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 1 - Mt. Sinai, Ferry to Aqaba
The hike up Mt. Sinai started around 2:00am and we reached the top before 5am. Basically a dusty camel trail up to the top. There are lots of people climbing of various nationalities. Some who find it too difficult can commandeer a camel to carry them up most of the way. There are little tea/drink huts along the way. You have to be careful because when the camels pass you on the path, you really want to make sure you are on the inside of the path.
Up near the top, you must climb up stone steps to a little church like building on the top. They rent out mattresses and blankets if you feel the need to keep warm up there. There were some nuns singing as the sun was rising. Everyone takes photos and watches the sun rise from the top. After we descend to St. Katherine's Monastery. They have a bush which they say is a descendent of the original burning bush. I took a photo with it.
Once done that, the hotel arranged a bus for a few of us to take our luggage directly to Nuweiba. This is to catch the ferry to Aqaba, Jordan. It was late, kind of frustrating, but oh well. Glad I got Mt. Sinai in when I had the chance. So I am splitting a room with Bojan, a phd engineering student at Laval University. He and I just had dinner. It was too late to go to Petra today, so we crashed here. The plan is to take a bus to Petra in the morning. We will see.
Up near the top, you must climb up stone steps to a little church like building on the top. They rent out mattresses and blankets if you feel the need to keep warm up there. There were some nuns singing as the sun was rising. Everyone takes photos and watches the sun rise from the top. After we descend to St. Katherine's Monastery. They have a bush which they say is a descendent of the original burning bush. I took a photo with it.
Once done that, the hotel arranged a bus for a few of us to take our luggage directly to Nuweiba. This is to catch the ferry to Aqaba, Jordan. It was late, kind of frustrating, but oh well. Glad I got Mt. Sinai in when I had the chance. So I am splitting a room with Bojan, a phd engineering student at Laval University. He and I just had dinner. It was too late to go to Petra today, so we crashed here. The plan is to take a bus to Petra in the morning. We will see.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
March 31 - Arrive in Dahab
Well, it was a long and quite tedious ride. It was late as well. We arrived at 1:00pm, well after the 10:30am last bus to Nuweiba. So Alex, a german veterinary student, and I shared a room at the Penguin Hotel here. Very nice resorty place, there is a front terrace with lots of pillows to relax, eat, drink, smoke etc. There are lots of scuba lessons here as well for diving.
Just spoke to a couple Americans who I met in Luxor. Apparently, there is a bus tour to St. Katherine's/Mount Sinai at 11:00pm. So it gets to Mount Sinai after a couple hours, then you hike up for sunrise to the top. That sounds so magnificent, and they will drop us off at Nuweiba for the ferry, so I get to work it in without missing any days, as I was getting concerned about time.
So I will probably just relax tonight and get in Mount Sinai and look at the St. Katherine's Sanctuary there. That will be magnificent to be on top of Mount Sinai!
Just spoke to a couple Americans who I met in Luxor. Apparently, there is a bus tour to St. Katherine's/Mount Sinai at 11:00pm. So it gets to Mount Sinai after a couple hours, then you hike up for sunrise to the top. That sounds so magnificent, and they will drop us off at Nuweiba for the ferry, so I get to work it in without missing any days, as I was getting concerned about time.
So I will probably just relax tonight and get in Mount Sinai and look at the St. Katherine's Sanctuary there. That will be magnificent to be on top of Mount Sinai!
March 30 - Luxor then Bus to Dahab
Well, have a 4:00pm ticket to Dahab, supposed to be 15 hours or so. Hopefully catch the last bus to Nuweiba to catch the ferry.
Spent the morning at the Luxor Museum, which was nice, there was a mummy that was donated from Canada.
Caught the 4:00pm bus, and pretty cramped and stopped often.
Spent the morning at the Luxor Museum, which was nice, there was a mummy that was donated from Canada.
Caught the 4:00pm bus, and pretty cramped and stopped often.
Friday, May 29, 2009
May 29 - Luxor sites
Valley of Kings/Luxor Temple/Temples of Karnak
I am so glad I did tours today. It was so hot and trying to do it on my own would have been torture. Interesting conversations with other travellers were great too.
In the morning, we saw Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Deir al-Bahri, and Collossi of Memnon. Great sites, basically the Valleys are where the Pharoahs were buried along with their treasure. It is quite secluded to avoid any robbery. Deir al-Bahri has a Temple of Hatshepsut which is a very impressive temple. I really should order a book on Egypt after the fact to review what was told to me and I have mostly forgotten already! ;-)
The afternoon was to see the Temples of Karnak, which is a huge temple complex. Afterwards we went to the Luxor Temple, impressive too. Alexander the Great was there too.
Well, I have pretty much seen what I want to see in Luxor, and mostly of Egypt in general. I have a bus ticket lined up to leave for Dahab tomorrow at 4pm. It is around 13-15 hour ride, so it will be taxing I imagine. Then the plan is to get to Nuweiba to catch a 3 pm ferry to Aqaba, then hopefully try to get to Petra after that. That is the general plan but that is the ideal scenario, I will probably miss a connection along the way and have to stay there.
From Petra I think I can get to the Dead Sea and also arrange a trip to Wadi Rum. After that, it is to Mount Sinai and then to Cairo. But if I make really good time to Petra I might be able to fit something else in. So I will try to enjoy myself and do some shopping here in Luxor until the bus tomorrow. Nice to chill for a bit, right now there is an Australian couple and a Belgian with some beers on the rooftop terrace here at the Bob Marley House. I plan to kick back up there for a bit, maybe have some sheesha too!
I am so glad I did tours today. It was so hot and trying to do it on my own would have been torture. Interesting conversations with other travellers were great too.
In the morning, we saw Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Deir al-Bahri, and Collossi of Memnon. Great sites, basically the Valleys are where the Pharoahs were buried along with their treasure. It is quite secluded to avoid any robbery. Deir al-Bahri has a Temple of Hatshepsut which is a very impressive temple. I really should order a book on Egypt after the fact to review what was told to me and I have mostly forgotten already! ;-)
The afternoon was to see the Temples of Karnak, which is a huge temple complex. Afterwards we went to the Luxor Temple, impressive too. Alexander the Great was there too.
Well, I have pretty much seen what I want to see in Luxor, and mostly of Egypt in general. I have a bus ticket lined up to leave for Dahab tomorrow at 4pm. It is around 13-15 hour ride, so it will be taxing I imagine. Then the plan is to get to Nuweiba to catch a 3 pm ferry to Aqaba, then hopefully try to get to Petra after that. That is the general plan but that is the ideal scenario, I will probably miss a connection along the way and have to stay there.
From Petra I think I can get to the Dead Sea and also arrange a trip to Wadi Rum. After that, it is to Mount Sinai and then to Cairo. But if I make really good time to Petra I might be able to fit something else in. So I will try to enjoy myself and do some shopping here in Luxor until the bus tomorrow. Nice to chill for a bit, right now there is an Australian couple and a Belgian with some beers on the rooftop terrace here at the Bob Marley House. I plan to kick back up there for a bit, maybe have some sheesha too!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
May 28th - Aswan then to Luxor
After the last posting, I went on a felucca ride around the islands in Aswan. It was some nice freshwater sailing which was pretty nice.
The next morning I got up around 2:45, for the bus ride to Abu Simbel to see the Great Temple of Ramses II and The Temple of Hathor. Very impressive statues and artwork inside. Met up with an Austrian girl Ooli who filled me in on all the marriage proposals and declarations of love she receives here in Egypt. She wears a wedding ring and carries a picture of herself with a friend to say that is her husband. Gets plenty of interest here in Egypt but she is getting tired of the interest.
Went back to the hotel and my previous agent hooked me up with a reservation in Luxor at the Bob Marley Hostel. Was pretty chaotic at the train station, I stood in line with the locals but they kept budding in line and the computers seemed to be down. I spoke to a French couple who were further in the line but they were told to go to the first class booth where I followed them. Got a 4 o'clock ticket to Luxor and arrived at 7:00pm.
My contact met me at the station and escorted me to the hostel. Also, he arranged a bus tour and a bus ticket to Dahab for the day after tomorrow. The bus tour is to see the Valley of the Kings/Queens in the morning to lunch. I also have a tour of the Luxor Temple and Temples of Karnac. My inner macho masochist said I was going to just take plenty of water and hike it but this is probably a smarter thing to do.
I walked around town this evening and saw Luxor Temple lit up at night. Impressive. I am going to try and find something to eat then probably hit the sack as the bus tour leaves at 8am tomorrow morning. With the bus tour I will probably have more time to look around town in a leisurely fashion.
The next morning I got up around 2:45, for the bus ride to Abu Simbel to see the Great Temple of Ramses II and The Temple of Hathor. Very impressive statues and artwork inside. Met up with an Austrian girl Ooli who filled me in on all the marriage proposals and declarations of love she receives here in Egypt. She wears a wedding ring and carries a picture of herself with a friend to say that is her husband. Gets plenty of interest here in Egypt but she is getting tired of the interest.
Went back to the hotel and my previous agent hooked me up with a reservation in Luxor at the Bob Marley Hostel. Was pretty chaotic at the train station, I stood in line with the locals but they kept budding in line and the computers seemed to be down. I spoke to a French couple who were further in the line but they were told to go to the first class booth where I followed them. Got a 4 o'clock ticket to Luxor and arrived at 7:00pm.
My contact met me at the station and escorted me to the hostel. Also, he arranged a bus tour and a bus ticket to Dahab for the day after tomorrow. The bus tour is to see the Valley of the Kings/Queens in the morning to lunch. I also have a tour of the Luxor Temple and Temples of Karnac. My inner macho masochist said I was going to just take plenty of water and hike it but this is probably a smarter thing to do.
I walked around town this evening and saw Luxor Temple lit up at night. Impressive. I am going to try and find something to eat then probably hit the sack as the bus tour leaves at 8am tomorrow morning. With the bus tour I will probably have more time to look around town in a leisurely fashion.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
May 27 - In Aswan
Got to Aswan this morning. The usual swarm surrounding you as you get out of the train station. Went to the tourist information station just outside the train station and asked about how to get to Abu Simbel(where the Great Temple of Ramses II). They told me that you can get there for 60 Egyptian pounds from any hotel. So then off to a hotel.
The first one I went to they quoted me a price about 3 times what it said in the Lonely Planet book and 120 pounds for the Ramses II tour. That sent some alarm bells off, when I asked them about the quote I received earlier, they kind of smiled. I was out of there. Off to get another hotel. A guy came up and told me 40 pounds for another hotel, I went it is where I am now. Horus Hotel. Nice view of the nile from my window terrace. Booked a tour for Ramses II for 60 pounds, I have to be in the lobby at 3:15am to get there early. It gets back around 1pm and I think I can get a train to Luxor at 4pm.
I was worried about having to spend to many days here but it seems to have worked out well enough. I can get to Luxor and stay on schedule, getting to Jordan from Luxor is going to be a long haul and want to have enough time in Petra.
Back to Aswan, after some laundry I headed out to the Nubia Museum which was a nice museum of Nubian artifacts. Saw the Fatimid Cemetary which is not in such great shape. Close by they also had the Unfinished Obelisk. It would have been the biggest obelisk extracted from the quarry (42 metres) but was abandoned after a flaw was discovered. Looks like alot of work to cut out an obelisk out of the rock.
People tend to guess I am from Holland for some reason. When I say I am from Canada they laugh and say "Ah Canada Dry". I haven't personally heard a reference to Canada Dry ginger ale in years but apparently Egyptians know about it.
Everyone loves their baksheesh here or tipping. I find it real annoying sometimes when a guy points you to the direction of a bathroom stall and later wants a tip for it. Anyone who shows the slightest courtesy feels they are owed a baksheesh. Just a difference in cultures I guess. Do you think I could make some extra money at work if I asked my coworkers for baksheesh? ;-)
So I am set to see the 2 Temples as Abu Simbel tomorrow. "Great Temple of Ramses II" and there is also the "Temple of Hathor". The tours travel in a military convoy as security is somewhat spotty in the south. Guess I will just relax, wander around, try not to get to harassed by the locals. Here they want to sell you Felucca rides, but I really don't have the time right now.
The first one I went to they quoted me a price about 3 times what it said in the Lonely Planet book and 120 pounds for the Ramses II tour. That sent some alarm bells off, when I asked them about the quote I received earlier, they kind of smiled. I was out of there. Off to get another hotel. A guy came up and told me 40 pounds for another hotel, I went it is where I am now. Horus Hotel. Nice view of the nile from my window terrace. Booked a tour for Ramses II for 60 pounds, I have to be in the lobby at 3:15am to get there early. It gets back around 1pm and I think I can get a train to Luxor at 4pm.
I was worried about having to spend to many days here but it seems to have worked out well enough. I can get to Luxor and stay on schedule, getting to Jordan from Luxor is going to be a long haul and want to have enough time in Petra.
Back to Aswan, after some laundry I headed out to the Nubia Museum which was a nice museum of Nubian artifacts. Saw the Fatimid Cemetary which is not in such great shape. Close by they also had the Unfinished Obelisk. It would have been the biggest obelisk extracted from the quarry (42 metres) but was abandoned after a flaw was discovered. Looks like alot of work to cut out an obelisk out of the rock.
People tend to guess I am from Holland for some reason. When I say I am from Canada they laugh and say "Ah Canada Dry". I haven't personally heard a reference to Canada Dry ginger ale in years but apparently Egyptians know about it.
Everyone loves their baksheesh here or tipping. I find it real annoying sometimes when a guy points you to the direction of a bathroom stall and later wants a tip for it. Anyone who shows the slightest courtesy feels they are owed a baksheesh. Just a difference in cultures I guess. Do you think I could make some extra money at work if I asked my coworkers for baksheesh? ;-)
So I am set to see the 2 Temples as Abu Simbel tomorrow. "Great Temple of Ramses II" and there is also the "Temple of Hathor". The tours travel in a military convoy as security is somewhat spotty in the south. Guess I will just relax, wander around, try not to get to harassed by the locals. Here they want to sell you Felucca rides, but I really don't have the time right now.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
May 26th - Cairo sites before heading to Aswan
Today, I was trying to get in as many Cairo sites as I could before I take the night train to Aswan. Aswan is way south in Upper Egypt. I really want to see the Great Temple of Ramses II in Abu Simbel. Hopefully I can get something hooked up for tomorrow when I arrive at 8 in the morning. But might have to stay 2 nights if I can't. I don't have any hotel reservations but it is low season so I think I will be able to find something when I get there.
Today in Cairo, I left pretty early to go to Islamic Cairo where I wanted to see some mosques. I actually think mosques are incredible buildings. I started off with a coffee at Fishawi's coffeehouse which is quite famous, apparently open for over 200 years. Then took some photos of Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein, reputed vurial place of the head of Hussein, the granson of the Prophet whose death in Karbala, Iraq, cemented the rift between the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam. Then I actually got to enter the Al-Azhar Mosque, a guy took me on a tour of it and he took me up one of the minaurets(mosque towers for you infidels!). He pinged me for the usual bakhsheesh that I am getting used to now. Went to what I thought was Midaq Alley because lonely planet says it was a site to see.
After that, went to Abdeen Palace, where the Egyptian president uses for official occasions. Pretty nice. Then off to the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, mostly Egyptian art with a modern twist, I guess the name says it all. Went over to Mahmoud Mukhtar Museum where I saw the works of Mahmoud Mukhtar who was an Egyptian sculptor.
Continuing the touristic site onslaught, I went to Old Cairo or Coptic Cairo. Coptics are essentially Egyptian Christians. Saw the Church of St. Sergius, the Hanging Church, and the Coptic Museum.
Whew, that was quite a bit for one day. Got suckered again into someone's papyrus art shop. Egyptian: "Where are you from?" Tourist: "Canada" Egyptian: "I have friends in Toronto & Montreal"(Can be 2 cities of the tourist's country) This then leads to a declaration of friendship by the Egyptian and invites you to his shop and starts showing his wares. Then either you buy something or you have to "dump" your new friend, which makes you feel a little awkward like most breakups! Also getting used to the customary bakhsheesh (tipping) that everyone wants to guilt you into so you end up giving them some money. But life is so here and I am trying to just let it slide and enjoy it as part of the scenery.
Just killing a bit of time before I have to go to Giza Station and catch the night train. That should be an interesting way to spend the night. I hope it is not too harsh(uncomfortable, smelly, etc.) I am taking photos but have no way to upload them, have to wait for when I get back.
Today in Cairo, I left pretty early to go to Islamic Cairo where I wanted to see some mosques. I actually think mosques are incredible buildings. I started off with a coffee at Fishawi's coffeehouse which is quite famous, apparently open for over 200 years. Then took some photos of Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein, reputed vurial place of the head of Hussein, the granson of the Prophet whose death in Karbala, Iraq, cemented the rift between the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam. Then I actually got to enter the Al-Azhar Mosque, a guy took me on a tour of it and he took me up one of the minaurets(mosque towers for you infidels!). He pinged me for the usual bakhsheesh that I am getting used to now. Went to what I thought was Midaq Alley because lonely planet says it was a site to see.
After that, went to Abdeen Palace, where the Egyptian president uses for official occasions. Pretty nice. Then off to the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, mostly Egyptian art with a modern twist, I guess the name says it all. Went over to Mahmoud Mukhtar Museum where I saw the works of Mahmoud Mukhtar who was an Egyptian sculptor.
Continuing the touristic site onslaught, I went to Old Cairo or Coptic Cairo. Coptics are essentially Egyptian Christians. Saw the Church of St. Sergius, the Hanging Church, and the Coptic Museum.
Whew, that was quite a bit for one day. Got suckered again into someone's papyrus art shop. Egyptian: "Where are you from?" Tourist: "Canada" Egyptian: "I have friends in Toronto & Montreal"(Can be 2 cities of the tourist's country) This then leads to a declaration of friendship by the Egyptian and invites you to his shop and starts showing his wares. Then either you buy something or you have to "dump" your new friend, which makes you feel a little awkward like most breakups! Also getting used to the customary bakhsheesh (tipping) that everyone wants to guilt you into so you end up giving them some money. But life is so here and I am trying to just let it slide and enjoy it as part of the scenery.
Just killing a bit of time before I have to go to Giza Station and catch the night train. That should be an interesting way to spend the night. I hope it is not too harsh(uncomfortable, smelly, etc.) I am taking photos but have no way to upload them, have to wait for when I get back.
Monday, May 25, 2009
First real day in Cairo
Warning: Please do not run these notes through any grammar checking I am just jotting things down to share and for my own memory! ;-)
Well, last night I got played a bit. The standard "Where are you from?". Indigenous person lists off 2 cities from your country and says they have family or business ties. They invite you to a shop and start to show you their wares to buy. Last night was a guy trying to sell essence/perfumes, of which I frankly was not really in the mood to buy. Always make you feel like a bad guy when you have to break it off with them. Oh well, left and had sheesha and tea with mint leaves.
Woke up and went for a run, first items were to get a multi entry visa since I am going to Jordan and also get a sleeper train to Aswan. Turns out that I don't think I need a multi entry visa, I got my sleeper train ticket to Aswan. Next, go to Pyramids of Giza from that same Giza Metro where I bought the ticket to Aswan.
One taxi guy wanted 30 pounds and was hounding me while I waited for the ticket booth to open. I didn't want to pay that much as Lonely Planet says should be around 8. But soon enough another guy came in to compete and I got him to take 15. I am thankful for Adam Smith's invisible hand out here in Cairo.
Shared the taxi ride with an Egyptian Zizo who had me at his place for tea before I hit a camel ride tour of the Pyramids. Bought an Arabic headdress for 10 pounds, guys sort of swoop down on you and make you feel bad.
Got plenty of great photos and a tour of the pyramids riding a camel. Saw Cleopatra's tomb. The sphynx was spectacular. Lots of sun but seeing the pyramids is a must when here and I am so glad to have seen them.
After the tour, they try and funnel you through essence/perfume shops and papyrus art shops. Always inviting you for tea and being friendly but you know it is all about you distributing your money to them in the end.
Kind of getting tired of this stuff. Had to laugh at the American trying to barter down the bus driver to half a pound (12 cents) rather than pay one pound. He must have been taken big time earlier in the day. You get kind of rattled after so many people trying to take you and their fake friendliness. An old lady was laughing that she would pay his bus fare. But you sometimes feel like everyone is taking advantage of you, but I guess you should not get too carried away with it. There are good Egyptians who are truly hospitable but just keep on your toes.
Went to the Egyptian Museum and really like King Tut's exhibit. Lots of gold and I have memories when I was younger about studying King Tut and seeing the pictures. Loved it.
Had a Schwarma and sheesha later, feeling quite burnt out after today, lots of walking, sun, figuring out travel & hotel arrangements. Off to Aswan tomorrow evening, I don't have hotel arrangements, work it out when I arrive at 8:05am. Also have to work out details on how to get to Abu Simbel so I can see the Great Temple of Ramses II. Will try to hit some more sites tomorrow in Cairo.
I can get more Cairo on the way back, but my hard deadline is my flight out of Cairo and still have lots to see.
Well, last night I got played a bit. The standard "Where are you from?". Indigenous person lists off 2 cities from your country and says they have family or business ties. They invite you to a shop and start to show you their wares to buy. Last night was a guy trying to sell essence/perfumes, of which I frankly was not really in the mood to buy. Always make you feel like a bad guy when you have to break it off with them. Oh well, left and had sheesha and tea with mint leaves.
Woke up and went for a run, first items were to get a multi entry visa since I am going to Jordan and also get a sleeper train to Aswan. Turns out that I don't think I need a multi entry visa, I got my sleeper train ticket to Aswan. Next, go to Pyramids of Giza from that same Giza Metro where I bought the ticket to Aswan.
One taxi guy wanted 30 pounds and was hounding me while I waited for the ticket booth to open. I didn't want to pay that much as Lonely Planet says should be around 8. But soon enough another guy came in to compete and I got him to take 15. I am thankful for Adam Smith's invisible hand out here in Cairo.
Shared the taxi ride with an Egyptian Zizo who had me at his place for tea before I hit a camel ride tour of the Pyramids. Bought an Arabic headdress for 10 pounds, guys sort of swoop down on you and make you feel bad.
Got plenty of great photos and a tour of the pyramids riding a camel. Saw Cleopatra's tomb. The sphynx was spectacular. Lots of sun but seeing the pyramids is a must when here and I am so glad to have seen them.
After the tour, they try and funnel you through essence/perfume shops and papyrus art shops. Always inviting you for tea and being friendly but you know it is all about you distributing your money to them in the end.
Kind of getting tired of this stuff. Had to laugh at the American trying to barter down the bus driver to half a pound (12 cents) rather than pay one pound. He must have been taken big time earlier in the day. You get kind of rattled after so many people trying to take you and their fake friendliness. An old lady was laughing that she would pay his bus fare. But you sometimes feel like everyone is taking advantage of you, but I guess you should not get too carried away with it. There are good Egyptians who are truly hospitable but just keep on your toes.
Went to the Egyptian Museum and really like King Tut's exhibit. Lots of gold and I have memories when I was younger about studying King Tut and seeing the pictures. Loved it.
Had a Schwarma and sheesha later, feeling quite burnt out after today, lots of walking, sun, figuring out travel & hotel arrangements. Off to Aswan tomorrow evening, I don't have hotel arrangements, work it out when I arrive at 8:05am. Also have to work out details on how to get to Abu Simbel so I can see the Great Temple of Ramses II. Will try to hit some more sites tomorrow in Cairo.
I can get more Cairo on the way back, but my hard deadline is my flight out of Cairo and still have lots to see.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Arrival in Cairo
Well, I finally arrived in Cairo and made it to where I am staying, the Lialy Hostel. I had a 6 hour layover in Paris so I had time to plan out how the trip would work in an ideal world. Seems like I am trying to pack in alot over the about 2 weeks that I am staying in Egypt & Jordan.
I have to try and line up hotel reservations a couple days in advance because I am not sure of how exactly I am travelling from destination to destination. So I have to be relatively agile with this.
Well, just having a room in Cairo and having made it from Calgary to here is a good start. The driver asked me if I was scared but the traffic was actually better than in Tehran. Well, I have 2 nights booked here and am planning to try and get a night train to Aswan on the night of the 26th. Sort of plan to see Luxor/Valley of Kings after that, then head East and North to make it up to Aqaba and into Petra to see Jordan. After that I plan to return to Egypt by visiting Mt. Sinai/St. Katherines then to Cairo to get to Paris.
Tomorrow's goals are to get the multi entry visa so I can get back into Egypt after I go to Jordan and also book my night train to Aswan. Sight seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum are up after those administrative details are done.
I have to try and line up hotel reservations a couple days in advance because I am not sure of how exactly I am travelling from destination to destination. So I have to be relatively agile with this.
Well, just having a room in Cairo and having made it from Calgary to here is a good start. The driver asked me if I was scared but the traffic was actually better than in Tehran. Well, I have 2 nights booked here and am planning to try and get a night train to Aswan on the night of the 26th. Sort of plan to see Luxor/Valley of Kings after that, then head East and North to make it up to Aqaba and into Petra to see Jordan. After that I plan to return to Egypt by visiting Mt. Sinai/St. Katherines then to Cairo to get to Paris.
Tomorrow's goals are to get the multi entry visa so I can get back into Egypt after I go to Jordan and also book my night train to Aswan. Sight seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum are up after those administrative details are done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
