Egypt Adventure
Egypt trip, January 10th-22nd, 2005.
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This was a Friendly Planet tour, led by Dr. Steven Derfler. It was a special group of 17 UW students and 9 of us 'non-traditional' students. This particular tour was also unusual in that the cost was virtually all inclusive. All meals, gratuities and at least 30 site admission fees were included. We saw virtually all the sites in my Egypt guide book, except for Alexandria. This was a wonderful trip, and remains my all-time best trip. The Egyptian people were warm and friendly. The weather was pleasant. Our tour group was just great. Lectures on cruise days were interesting and informative. Food was plentiful, but I did finish off all of my emergency food supplies. It was important to use sun screen and stay hydrated. I know how to order red wine in 2 more languages. We had a lot of security. There was usually a policeman on our tour bus. In Cairo, our bus was usually escorted by a police car. Our cruise boat had 2 armed soldiers. In the Valley of the Kings area, our bus travelled in an Army convoy. Camera management was interesting. Video cameras must be declared on entry and a permit obtained. Some sites allow no flash. Some sites allow no cameras at all. Some sites allow video but not a still camera. Some sites allow still cameras but not video. At some sites you can buy a ticket for your video camera. Some other tourists were taking pictures with phones everywhere, regardless of restrictions. While pictures are nice, you have to see the Pyramids, Sphinx, and the statues at Abu Simbel to grasp the size. Modes of transportation used: Traffic is very heavy in Cairo. Horn use is an important part of any mode of transportation in Egypt. I think the only ride I had without a horn was the camel. Even the horse carriage had a squeeze horn. It is very exciting to be racing up river, passing and honking 4 cruise boats abreast. NOTE: Even though places like Egypt sound fun and exotic, most of my friends and relatives would have been extremely uncomfortable there. It is necessary to be concerned about immunizations, insect repellent, food and water safety, pick-pockets, and terrorism. Sometimes it is very hot, though January was pleasant. On April 7th, 2005, a terrorist killed 3 tourists in the Al-Azhar bazaar in Old Cairo, where I sat drinking Turkish coffee. On April 30th, members of the same group injured 7 people near the Cairo Museum, which we also visited. If any of this bothers you, it might be better for you to do less exotic travel. Pictures are at the bottom of the page. Itinerary: Refer to map below.Jan 10, Monday, Depart Minneapolis to Cairo, via Chicago and Frankfort. Country Information
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Egypt Language Links |
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| Egypt Map. We took an overnight train from Cairo to Aswan. Flew from Aswan to Abu Simbel, RT. Cruised on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor, RT. Flew from Aswan back to Cairo. |
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| Giza pyramid map. |
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| Giza Pyramids, view from the top of Cairo Tower. |
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| The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) from about 2 miles. This was the tallest, man-made structure on Earth for 4,000 years. |
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| Walking like an Egyptian at the base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) at Giza, near the Solar Boat Museum. |
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| Solar Boat in the Solar Boat Museum at Giza. Reassembled from a 4500 year old kit. |
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| The Sphinx and the other 2 pyramids at Giza. We went inside the Pyramid of Khafre (the middle pyramid), shown behind the Sphinx. This pyramid still has a cap of face stone. |
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| Me and the Sphinx dude! |
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| Step Pyramid at Saqqara. For scale, note the 2 people in the center right of the picture. |
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| Quarry with unfinished obelisk due to fracture. |
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| The whole group at Abu Simbel, near the southern border. |
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Looking up from eye level at the knee. BIG! |
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| Key to Abu Simbel temple in the shape of an ankh. |
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| Two cruise boats going through the lock. |
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| Another perfect sunset on the Nile. |
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| Green where there's water. |
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| Papyrus growing along the Nile. |
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| New with the old. Note satelite dish, CocaCola, motorcycle, high voltage lines. |
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| Entrance to King Tut's tomb. No photography allowed inside. We saw the contents at the Cairo Museum. The contents are going on tour in the US soon. |
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Cairo Museum Cartouche A cartouche identifies the name of a pharaoh. |
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| Karate Kid crane contest to see who could balance the longest. I lost after 5 minutes, but won the rematch at the Aswan airport at 7 minutes. The guys with guns were paying a lot of attention. |
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Stenseth of Arabia, riding a camel on the way to San Simon Monastery. |
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'Helmsman Stenseth' at the wheel on the Nile. Yes, we were really under way, and this was right in Cairo. Thanks to Pat for taking the picture. |
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Cabin steward art: Swan, Double Swan |
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Cabin steward art: Scorpion, Crocodile |
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Cabin steward art: Lotus flower Watching TV. Note the remote. We never watched TV on the river boat. |
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