Introduction:
I tried to keep our review brief for this trip but it
was so hard to condense two weeks and the amount of activities and
sightseeing experienced. I would liken to say that I was first
of all so impressed with Scarab Egypt Tours - I just cannot say
enough about them! We were so well looked after and treated
like a King and Queen throughout our whole trip. I would like
to mention also how impressed we were with Mohammed, the owner of
the Alabaster Factory in Luxor. As we had such a busy agenda
and could not make it to the store during business hours he opened
the store at night for us and did not only give us a fantastic tour
and explanation of all the products he entertained us for the
evening. The Egyptian people are so friendly and really do go
out of their way to make you feel welcomed and at home.
Travel Review
Pre - departure:
Due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland our flights
to Egypt were cancelled. We were very lucky that Michele from 2000
Tours was able to reschedule our flights for departure only one week
later. Our itinerary was slightly changed however that did not put
a damper on our trip.
We've Arrived!
A Sunset Dinner Cruise starts off our stay in
Cairo . . .
We arrived in Cairo and were graciously met by our
tour company, Scarab Egypt Tours. This was just the
beginning of how well we were looked after by the Tour Company. As
we enjoyed an exciting air conditioned van ride through the busy
streets of Cairo our guide gave an excellent narrative of the City
and gave us the facts and information needed to get the most out of
our vacation in Egypt. We arrived at our hotel and were greeted
with much warmth from all the staff, a beautiful welcome bouquet in
our room and a delicious local welcoming beverage. We settled into
our room and shortly afterward we were escorted to a Sunset
Dinner Cruise on the Nile which included a buffet dinner,
belly dancer and tanour dancers for entertainment. The cityscape
lights at night and the scenery on the Nile was most magnificent.
Day 2 - Our adventures
begin . . .
The next day a driver picked us up at our hotel and
stayed with us throughout the day, the use of the air conditioned
van was very appreciated in the scorching heat. With the aid of an
Egyptologist (who was so professional and very informative)
we explored the Giza Pyramids, went for a camel ride,
and visited the Valley Temple and Sphinx. A short
jaunt in the van and we were at Adel’s Flower Essence Shop
where we enjoyed a bowl of kashery while experiencing a scent
journey of essential oils. We then went to Papyrus Paper factory
and saw how Papyrus paper is made and did some shopping. Our final
attraction of the day was the Egyptian Museum. After a
delicious dinner we were off to the airport and flew to Aswan.
Aswan
Arrived in Aswan and were met by Essmet who had our
day in Aswan planned out. A driver picked us up in the morning
accompanied with a guide and we are off for another full day. First
we visited the High Dam, took a ferry taxi to Philae Temple, then a
cruise down the Nile to a Nubian Village. Enjoyed a tea in a
typical Nubian home, toured the village and did some shopping.
Stopped for a traditional Nubian dinner and then off for a sunset
felucca sail.
Luxor
The next day our journey continued via a van ride to
Luxor. The scenery was magnificent. From rich agricultural fields
along the Nile to desert and rocks. We arrived at our Hotel and
were met by Tyeb who had our days in Luxor planned out. With the
aid of a tour guide we explored the Karnak Temple and the Luxor
Temple. We stayed at Luxor Temple until sunset and took a horse and
carriage ride back to the Hotel.
Riverboat taxi's, the
Nile, Valley of the Kings, Sharm el Sheik
and an Alabaster Factory:
Up early armed with a boxed breakfast from the Hotel
we were on the riverboat taxi cruising down the Nile to the
East shore where we enjoyed a Hot air balloon ride at Sunrise over
the Valley of Kings. Next we had breakfast on the roof top
of a local hotel and then met up with our guide and off the tour the
Valley of Kings. Back to the hotel for a swim, dinner and pack for
our flight to Sharm el Sheik. In the evening we went back to the
East shore to visit an Alabaster Factory owned by Mohammed. We did
some shopping and socialized with the owner (Mohammed) and Tyeb for
the evening. Mohammed was most gracious and opened the store for us
as this was after opening hours.
Tyeb accompanied us to the airport and off we were
again.
Dahab:
After two flights we arrived in Sharm el Sheik where
we were met by Jordan who accompanied us to Dahab to meet up with
our daughter and her boyfriend. We settled into our hotel and
enjoyed the view of the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia. Dinner was at
the Penguin, a restaurant in a row of many competitive entrepreneurs
soliciting your business, lining the shore of the Red Sea. The
restaurants are open air with carpets on the floor and walls, small
tables surrounded with brightly coloured cushions. Take your shoes
off and make yourself comfy while you relax on the carpeted ground
being served Bedouin Tea. If you do not like cats you can shoe them
but be aware there are many stray cats, kitties and dogs lounging on
the walkways and are in the restaurants.
Excursions:
Our first excursion was a jeep ride to go snorkelling
at the Blue Hole; again we had a driver and a guide. Once we
reached our destination we were welcomed at a lounge where we were
offered refreshments and a place to leave our belongings, change and
just hang out. We had the option of sitting inside the open air
lounge in the shade or on lounge chairs by the sea. The Blue Hole
provided the most amazing coral reef abundant with sea creatures to
observe.
Some R & R before Mount
Sinai:
The next day we spent relaxing by the pool and
exploring the sea shore. The water was very clean, clear and as
warm as bath water. After a restful day we drove to Mount Sinai to
start climbing Egypt’s second largest mountain at 1:30 am so that we
would reach the summit before sunrise. We were surprised by a
Catholic mass held at the summit. What a surprise to witness such a
beautiful sight. After descending Mount Sinai we visited St.
Catharine’s Monastery. Here the highlight was seeing the Burning
Bush.
Desert Safari:
A two day desert safari was next on the list. Again
armed with our Egyptologist, driver and guide we were off to the
Coloured Canyon and overnight at Ain Hudre Oasis. After
eating home cooked Bedouin food, enjoying a campfire we slept on the
ground covered with mats. Next morning continued on a trek to the
White Canyon and Closed Canyon.
We had dinner and lunch at more than one of Jimmy’s
establishments in Dahab. We were very impressed with his
businesses and he went over and above to give us the best seating,
good service and even surprised us with a birthday cake for our
birthday celebration.
Shopping:
Our final day prior to departure was spent shopping
for spices, oils, Egyptian cotton and enjoying the beautiful weather
and scenery. Wondering if we would make it home as the Iceland
volcano has acted up again we discussed how wonderful it would be to
be stuck here!
Barb and Tony
