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!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
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)
