A little too fancy for our taste...

So we arrived in Cairo last night, and went straight to our hotel. We didn't have time to go anywhere else, so we just ate at the hotel. Even though it's at a 5 star hotel, dinner last night tasted like a mediocre Caribbean resort. Today we got take out at a local Egyptian place, and the food was a lot better.

We woke up early in the morning, and went to 3 main areas. Firstly, we went to Dashur, to see the Bent and Red Pyramids. We went inside the Red Pyramid...it was so tight and small, and very hot and stuffy inside, but worth it. The whole area is near a military restricted zone, so there are some areas that are off limits. We did meet some Egyptian soldiers, that were trying to sell us camel rides.

We then went to Memphis, which is the ancient Egyptian capital. The Nile Valley in this area is very lush, with many farms growing everything from cabbage to dates...

The last place we visited was Saqqara, where the first pyramid was built... the Step Pyramid.

Tonight we will smoke some sheesha and tomorrow off to Giza!!

The Curse of Tutankhamen!!!!

As you guys know, yesterday we visited the Tomb of Tutankhamen...and I think I got the curse!!! It hit me hard yesterday night, and lasted too long!
I think I lost 8 lbs.!!! damn the Pharaohs revenge! lol

Yesterday we also took a felucca ride at sunset. Feluccas are small Egyptian sailboats, which have been used for hundreds of years. It was cool bargaining with the captain of the felucca, and we got it down to a price which made him happy and made us feel like we didn't get ripped too much. During the sail, he made us Egyptian tea, and was talking about the Nile....GREAT HOSPITALITY, which by the way, Egyptians are very proud of.

On the walk back from the bank of the Nile, we walked towards our hotel. The Luxor Temple at this point was already lit up for the night. We took some pics and kept walking.

There are tons of touts, trying to sell you everything and anything possible. This one guy was totally funny. He must of followed us for 500 metres. He first started trying to sell us a horse and carriage ride, excursion to the market (which of coarse was on only that day, and only for the next 2 hours ;) and when all that failed, all his "ohhh, from Canada, Canada Dry, very cold", he obviously saw we weren't going to get anything off him, so he brought out his final offer, to try to seal the deal. "sir, sirrrr, you want some hash, come on, I know all Canadians like to smoke some!!!" As tempting as it was, with all the officers and soldiers walking around, might of not been the best idea.

Later, when we reached the hotel, we relaxed on the rooftop patio, where we met a photo-journalist. He was such an interesting guy, and we had a great conversation. Actually, the rooftop patio, was a great place for us to meet other travellers from around the world, and share some travel stories and adventures.
If you want to check out some of his incredible photos, go to his web at http://www.geophotos.com/

Now we are just relaxing on the rooftop, and waiting to go to the airport, heading to Cairo.

The next 2 days, it's going to be pyramids, pyramids, pyramids!!!! Dreams do come true..hehehehe

Talk to you from Cairo!!!

In the Valley of Dreams!!

Today we left early in the morning at around 6 am to visit the Valley of the Kings, once called the Great Necropolis of Millions of Years of Pharaohs. It was about 30 minute drive from our hotel in Luxor on the West Bank of the Nile. Yesterday, we did the East Bank.

The Valley of the Kings has 63 royal tombs from 1550-1069 BC.

We visited 4 tombs, including Tomb of Ramses II, Tomb of Ramses IV, Tomb of Tuthmosis III and of coarse the famous Tomb of Tutankhaman.

We didn't get any curses from entering the tombs, although the tight spaces offered great varieties of BO from different people around the world.

We also went to Deir al-Bahri, to see the Temple of Hatshepsut, the famous female pharaoh. The colours here were cool, with bright reds, blues, yellows, greens, etc. After her death, her step-son chipped away at all her images, mainly her face, to try to erase her from the history books. Good guy!!!!!

Then we quickly went to the Valley of the Queens, to see the tombs there.

In between, we stopped at a Alabaster, Granite and Basalt art place, where they carve statues. I went mental in there, and you guys will see what I bought when we get home.

We are out for now, going to eat something and relax..

Hotter than HOT!

Today, we woke up early and went to visit the 2 famous temples in Luxor. the first temple we visited was Karnak temple, and it covers 60 acres. It was amazing , the further in you walk, the older the temple is. That's b/c different pharaohs built on it, since the original, even Byzantians, Romans and Greek built some parts. one place has many columns, all with wicked hieroglyphics, some had coloured walls, with depictions of various things.

The second temple we went to was Luxor temple itself, which covers 4 acres. Also very impressive, and also very HOT!!!

By lunchtime we got back to our hotel, and ate at a small local restaurant. The best experience!!! It is right beside the local souk, which sells everything from fruit, sheeshas, spices, cotton and linens, and souvenirs.

We are now relaxing on the roof top of the small hotel, enjoying the shade.
Planning to take a felucca ride on the Nile in the evening (if weather permits, frickin HOT), and hopefully get a good sunset. Should be good bargaining with the guys on the Nile bank :)

Oh ya, also bought papyrus, with a cool scene on it, from different gods like Anubis Horus, Isis and some more which I can't remember cause my brain is fried.

I think tomorrow, we will try to head out even earlier than today, around 5 in the morning, to avoid the heat, which is 40 degress right now!!! "stick a fork in me Jerry, I'm doneee!!"
At least it's dry heat, so in the shade, you feel good...

we are enjoying every minute of it.

We love it here, thinking about staying permantly (just joking Stasia)

Well, off to smoke some sheesha.....sheeesyaaa later!!

yadda, yadda, yadda and we called it a day!!!

Sorry that we haven't written in a couple of days, no computer. Yesterday we went to the desert of Wadi Rum to take a 4x4 jeep tour of the desert with our Bedouin guide.
We paid a little extra and he brought us outside the protected area to some of the best views in the desert. We could see Saudi Arabia from the top of the mountains.

We then took a small one lane road all the way down from the top of the mountains to the lowest point on earth - the Dead Sea. There we went to the beach and did a full body mud wrap from the shores of the sea. It's one of the weirdest places, you actually stay on top of the water. One thing to see it, but you need to try it to believe it.... amazing - reading a book while floating on the water.

This morning we went around the city of Amman to see all the sights. While shopping at a bazaar some Indian tourists asked for a picture with them to which Aneta replied - do we look that weird?

now its Wed morning, we just arrived in Luxor, Egypt.... yadda yadda yadda......

relaxing on a rooftop patio over-looking the city and some temples.

Horses, Camels and Donkeys, and the Ancient city of Petra!!

Here we are!!! Finally after transferring in Paris, we took a flight to Amman, Jordan.
2 hour transit in Paris, and we get raped for $20 USD for 2 croissants and 2 Fanta's!!! nice...forgot how ridiculous crazy expensive France is...thanks Euro...

Today we left Amman and got to Petra, Jordan, to visit the ancient city of Petra.
It was amazing...took over 1 gig of pics.
We took a 30 minutes horse ride to the valley, and the walked for around 2 km through the Siq, which is a narrow crescent (about 1-2 metres wide) surrounded by high cliffs and mountains...

Inside Petra, the ancient city is unbelievable...we took a long trek on camels all around the area, and then took a 45 minute donkey ride to the top of the mountain, to visit the famous Monastery.

Words can't explain the area, so I guess you will have to wait for the pics.

Sorry, can't upload any pics since the Internet connection here is ancient slow, probably Internet connection from the 1st century BC!!! lolol

Right now we are about to go eat at a local Bedouin restaurant...should be good...

We are not staying at same hotel we were supposed to stay, since it was all booked up, so we transferred across the street to the Petra Inn, phone # for family to call is:
Telephone# 962 3 215 6 401, room 406, but good luck finding us in the room.

Tomorrow we visit Wadi Rum early in the morning, and taking a 3 hour 4x4 desert tour...this is where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. In the afternoon we travel to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, and take a relaxing dip in the sea, where you float.

Hopefully the town we are in tomorrow has better Internet connection, so we can post some pics, or at least take less than 30 minutes to post this...

sorry, no spell check, it would take to long to load the page and function...hehehehe...

btw, Jordian people are awesome...kind and friendly...always smiling!!!

3 days to go!!!!!!

The departure date is approaching, a few days away.
Our first post will probably be on Saturday, October 4 from Amman, Jordan.

We will try to post everyday, but there will be times when we will not have access to a computer, like when we will be camping in the desert.

Please leave comments if you like!!

We will see everyone when we get back!!!