****Live From the Golden Princess****

[T&J]

It appears that Tony actually got up this AM and went off to his "Breakfast on the Nile" without feeling the need to post. YEA, maybe that means he "slept in"! Hope he finds today's organized tour a bit more to his liking. I personally hate being herded around like cattle but it was probably the best way for him to get a feeling of the place. If he now arranges a private tour for his return trip he will know first hand what he wants to do and where he should spend his time.

 

Actually I wanted to post when I was awoken at 6:00am but the business centre didn't open until 7:00am the sametime we were leaving the hotel, otherwise I would have for sure posted something!

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Before I continue posting on here if anyone would like to view our sailaway on the Cruise Cam the Captain just came over the P.A. and yep we are leaving early again at 7:40pm now 20 minutes before schedule sicne everyone is onboard!

 

More to follow from the Golden Princess as we make our 2 day journey to Civitavecchia, Italy.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Tony should be getting up soon :)

 

Casshew, I should have told you guys before leaving the ship that I am +7 hours ahead of the East Coast time.

 

It is currently 7:45pm here on Sunday evening for me.

Over the next day we will be moving the clocks back one hour as we get closer to Italy.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Tony I just want to say that I am really enjoying your diary of this cruise. I may not get to that part of the world but it has been a joy to read about it through your eyes. I really appreciate it and thank you very much for a very entertaining thread. I am looking forward to more of your adventures on this cruise and future cruises.

 

Marilyn

 

Hey Marilyn, glad you are having fun with them...keep reading on....

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

And saw my thread about the moody camels....My experience is from Morocco

were they gave camel rides on the beach to visitors....I had a good giggle this one camel wouldnot take any notice of its owner,whatever the owner tried, it just snorted and grumbled...just wouldnot stand up :D

The washrooms in the desert are very unique......you fill up a toffee tin can in a tent.:D .........my sister visits there regulary...that was her experince last year.

 

There was no need for me to use primitive toilet facilities during this two day stint...only used hotel washrooms at 5 star hotels.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Hi Tony,

Just thought I would let you know that the good folks here on the Grand Princess have really taken care of us on all these back to back cruises. When we received our Intransit Pass and Letter, we were really surprised to see that they gave us a very nice Upgrade!!!!! But not like yours to the Grand Suite:D .

 

Curt:)

 

Curt glad to hear that they are looking after you...say hello for me to Giorgio the Maitre'd would you in the Dinning Room for me!

 

What did they end up giving you btw?...I got the Owners Suite on here which was very nice!

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[arlenemilt]

Welcome back. I need you here to keep me out of trouble. :)

Arlene

[kruisey]

There was no need for me to use primitive toilet facilities during this two day stint...only used hotel washrooms at 5 star hotels.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

 

My sister has been going on Bailes Tours of England for many years to Egypt.....She has always stayed at the Hilton and all the staff there know her very well....Since her Parkinsons has progressed this last year she says the staff have been sooooo kind to her helping her .This was her last trip due to her illness.She always mentioned the great room they gave her overlooking the nile....I wonder if it was the one you had.

Many years ago Henry Kissinger was on the floor above and he was invited to a cocktail party up there....she is a lttle shy so she turned it down.Bailes gave her a discount due to the fact she was very helpful answering questions about the many antiquities,she has become an expert over the years.

Thank you so much for continued postings to we landlumbers:)

[kruisey]

There was no need for me to use primitive toilet facilities during this two day stint...only used hotel washrooms at 5 star hotels.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

 

My sister has been going on Bailes Tours of England for many years to Egypt.....She has always stayed at the Hilton and all the staff there know her very well....Since her Parkinsons has progressed this last year she says the staff have been sooooo kind to her helping her .This was her last trip due to her illness.She always mentioned the great room they gave her overlooking the nile....I wonder if it was the one you had.

Many years ago Henry Kissinger was on the floor above and he was invited to a cocktail party up there....she is a lttle shy so she turned it down.Bailes gave her a discount due to the fact she was very helpful answering questions about the many antiquities,she has become an expert over the years.

Thank you so much for continued postings to we landlumbers:)

[Casshew]

Hi Tony, thanks for your update today. Did you feel safe everywhere you went? travelling with a child this is important to me. Did you feel safe at the hotel?

 

How was breakfast today and I believe you did a nile cruise? correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Of course there will be more reviews to read but I am now leaning to just doing the day tour to the Pyramids with my daughter and being one of the 300 guests aboard an empty Grand Class Ship from CAI to ALY.

[T&J]

I forgot to mention a couple of things from yesterday that came to mind while I was doing the second day to mention to you all.

 

Yesterday after seeing the Citadel, we had to drive past was is now known as "the City of the Dead". A cemetary from old Egytian times where people that wanted to a place to live but couldn't afford to buy would stay in and convert tombs as there homes and take advantage of the opportunity to save up for a home. It is still going on and see someone laundry hanging or satelite atena from a tomb...way too funny!

 

Also, if you go to the Museums, no photographic equipment of any kind is allowed and you go through two sets of security check points and metal detectors as well...so don't even attempt to try as some idiots did on our tour if you can imagine!

 

Day 2: Sunday Nov 19th, Grand Cairo Overnight

 

I woke up at 6:00am from my wake up call as planned. Jumped in the shower, got out turned on CNN to find out what was happening in the World adn made myself some coffee as they had coffee grounds and a bodum and kettle to make coffee in my Suite.

 

I opened my balcony door (huge balcony overlooking the Nile river) and the amount of smog and haze over the city was incredible...I can still feel it and taste it in my throat today..it's as bad as Beijing or Shanghai.

 

I proceeded to go downstairs at 6:45am and couldn't see anyone from my bus or our tour guide Heba. So I walked outside to the parking lot and everyone was already on the bus although we were told to be ready to leave for 7:00am.

 

We left at 7:10am and took our bus approx. 10 minutes to reach our river boat cruise restaurant location. Our boat was called the "Golden Pharaoh". We got onboard and they immediately sat us upstairs and had a table by the window with 4 other people.

 

The menu consisted of Mango and Orange juices, Coffee, Tea, mineral water, scrambled eggs, hash browns (or an attempt), crepes, boiled egss, sausages. There were fresh croissants adn pastries as well as vegetables, cheeses and fruit salad. All of this was served buffet style.

 

Our boat departed at 7:30am and we went up and down the Nile during breakfast for almost an hour. While on the Nile, there were tables outside on deck and had the opportunity to enjoy theiews with several coffees.

 

We finally got back at 8:45am and our bus left at 9:10am for the Step Pyramids of Sakkara. The drive took all of 50 minutes through Cairo's busiest rush hour time. There are actually 3 rush hour times in Cairo 9:00am, 2 pm and 7:00pm...not the place too be!

 

Once we arrived at Sakkara, the sun was out in full force. It was very hot but a dry heat approx 80F today and a light breeze and intense direct sun....I have a burn on my neck and cheeks from both days actually.

 

The Step Pyarmid of Sakkara is fascinating to view. It is the oldest known Pyramid of all 107 pyramids in Egypt. Sakkara is actually a entire burial site or you could call it one big funeral home with many smaller pyramids and tombs scattered for miles.

 

We had over 1.5 hours there today and I walked around the grounds and even walked up on to the pyramid myself and have some great shots. You can also see Cairo in the distance. As Cairo has expanded, it has come closer to the ruins over the years. I don't know how they plan on preserving these monumental structures as erosion is taking there toll on them from the elements of wind, pollution etc. I was actually shocked that we were allowed to walk-thru all over the place. The one thing I noticed was the poor education on trash collection. There is trash and litter all over the place when visiting the ruins and Pyramids.

 

While on tour a man from one of our buses fell and cut open the side of his head. I happened while I was passing him and tried to help him and his wife while he was motionless on the ground. Eventually a couple of Escorts guides from various buses came to attend to him. He eventually got up after 15 minutes and was attended to by one of the nurses from the ship on tour with us. He is apprently OK this evening onboard.

 

You can't help but wonder how did they accomplish such precision when making these pyramids over 5000 years ago? I was just in awe of the whole thing...It is truly soemthing you need to see and it doesn't do justice on TV on the Discovery Chanel.

 

We left Sakkara at 12 noon and drove to the shop they had promised right near the Hotel for lunch. The shopping consisted of 22 minutes of a free for all with 480 people in one store at the same time. I only had the opportunity to shop for a 18k gold cartouche and chain for Javier. I've been wanting to get him one for ages. The pricing was OK, but I could not bargain mroe than 20% off the prices. The quality of the pieces that were heavier in weight were excellent. You could get cartouches alone for $200-$300 USD but they were very thin and looked cheaper actually. I ended up spending almost $1000.00 on the cartouche and gold chain with his name engraved on the back and the hyroglyphics of Ramses II on the front. Way more than what I wanted to spend honestly, but I am sure he will like it...I just won't ever tell him how much I paid, otherwise he wouldn't wear it!

 

What was so obvious too me and the others is that this store was in "Cahoots" with the tour operator and the guides to get a kickback as they wanted to know from which bus we were from and would write it on our purchases. It was a kickback system of commission for them (the organizers). I was very dissapointed that this was all the shopping I had done coming to Egypt as I wanted to buy so many other things but had no free time to do so as promised.

 

 

We arrived at the Mena house Oberoi Hotel at 12:30pm, the same hotel we ate at for dinner the night previous. The food was good, with meats, vegetables, salads, fresh homus, grilled chicken, fish, rice etc....the dessert tables was exactly as the night before with the same items available.

 

We left the Hotel at 1:45pm for the drive to the the Great Pyramids of the Pharaohs of Cheops, Chephren adn Mycerinus. We arrive at 2:00pm at teh Pyramids which was very closeby. Once there she gave us all the information about the Pyramids while seated on the Air Conditionned bus, which was smart. Then we had a half hour to walk around the three Pyramids or go with her down the shaft of one of the Pyramids of Chephren (the middle one) to visit what it looked like inside. I opted to walk aroiund and take in everything that I could.

 

The largest Pyramid of Cheops, then his son Chephren and his grandsons smallest pyramid Mycerinus. Only the Pyramid of Chephren has it's original finish on the upper part of the Pyramid that can be viewed.

 

There were plenty of menacing peddlers and camel jockeys wanting money for taking pictures and rides etc...

 

We boarded our bus at 2:35 and drove to the Panaroma Plateau approx. 1/2 mile away from the Pyramids to get a perfect view of all three for photographs and also where we could take camel rides and pcitures of the Camels and there owners. We had another half hour there as well.

 

Firstly, I have never been on a Camel and I am afraid of horses because one bit me when I was much younger as a kid. So with that in mind I was still game to go up on a Camel, which I did. The going price for Camel rides are $3.00 USD and $1.00 for pictures. I got on top of the Camel while it was seated and it wasn't very happy or didn't sound like it. It started to get up but I wasn't quite centred on it properly and kept on telling this guy I am about to fall off. I felt so weird being up on top of it and very bumpy as well as a ride....nothing like being on a horse!

 

When it was time to get down and I couldn't wait; I though I was going to fall completely forward onto it's head. You really have to hold on and throw all of you weight to the back of it's back. OMG, I was so happy to be down. He was also trying to convince me to let it give me a kiss for another $1.00....there was no way it or I was kissing it after the smalls coming from it's breath and those teeth!

 

We then left by bus to the Sphinx down from the Plateau of Gize. we arrived at 3:15pm and I walked up to the closest point to the Sphinx. Somehow, I always pictured it much bigger on TV. It is big don't get me wrong but just thought it looked much bigger than in person.

 

The people going into the area around the Sphinx was unbelieveable. There must have been at 10 000 people there today. I got some amazing shots of the Sphinx on different angles and from different locations.

There were also many small peddlers trying to sell you everything all the time. The whole Pyarmid complex was amazing to see I have to admitt to that.

 

We left the Pyramids of Gize at 4:10 for our 3 hour bus ride to Alexandria. Along our drive traffic was crazy. We had to travel still in a convoy of all 9 buses plus our back up bus behind just in case one of them broke down.

 

Upon arriving at the ship at 6:50pm, they had both gangways open but we were just too many people arriving at one time almost 500 pax. It took almost 30 minutes to get onboard and everything was thouroughly x-rayed and examined for security reasons.

 

I of course cam immediately up here to start posting as I knew people would be expecting to hear from me ASAP.

 

Overall, I would say it was an "OK" tour, that did go to some of the most important places. However the disorganization, and logistical problems we had on our arrival into Port Said is acceptable which did impact our tour over any other day trip tour since the ship was extending it's port time in Port Said by pushing back the departure time by 2 hours. The cutting out of the bazaar and our free time and also today 22 minutes in one pre-arranged store does not sit well with me either.

 

For the $$$, I did not feel it was worth it as it was way too much to do, not enough time and especially given the delays on day one. Also the emphasis on food was way too much. We could have had a boxed lunch (upgraded version) like we did on the last day of our South African Overnight Safari to allow us to better make use of our precious time travelling from point to point.

 

I personally would not redo this tour myself, but would customize something in a smaller group that would give us more flexibilty and time better spent.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Hi Tony, thanks for your update today. Did you feel safe everywhere you went? travelling with a child this is important to me. Did you feel safe at the hotel?

 

How was breakfast today and I believe you did a nile cruise? correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Of course there will be more reviews to read but I am now leaning to just doing the day tour to the Pyramids with my daughter and being one of the 300 guests aboard an empty Grand Class Ship from CAI to ALY.

 

I felt safe at all times; however I reallt think that becomes kida subjective honestly. What is safe for me maybe not be for you. For example I have travelled to Haiti four times (caught and trapped in a civila war for 23 days in Oct of 1991), been to Algeria (favorite passtime is to kidnapp a tourist) etc...

 

The driving is KooKoo over there with cars almost hitting each other, no traffic light or hardly any at all and maheim all the time!

 

But seriously, enormous amounts of security at all the 4 and 5 star hotels like ours, the Conrad Hilton or the Four Seasons and the grand Hyatt.

 

The breakfast nile cruise was good and the food was good as well.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Wouldn't it be easier to just pass over this thread, than take on the burden of self-appointed moderator?

 

Frankly, I'm getting tired of all the sly little digs directed at Tony in various threads on this board, and blatant attacks on other threads. He is an enormously popular poster (witness all the views on his live-from threads) and we don't want him to get fed up and quit because he is constantly defending himself.

 

Keep up the good work, Tony.

 

Tina...thanks, but I really have thick skin!...and when it doesn't become fun to post anymore...I simply won't.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Welcome back. I need you here to keep me out of trouble. :)

 

Arlene

 

 

Thanks...I am pooped!...it feels good to be back onboard the ship tonight as we are sailing out of Egypt currently.

 

From the looks of it..you didn't try that hard!:rolleyes:

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[Druke I]

Thanks for the review of the overnight. Quite complete.

 

Glad that I did NOT sign up for it when we arrive Port Said on 11-30-06 on Nautica. I'm not that much into antiquities (sp?) anyway.

[Casshew]

I am glad you felt some 'awe' in what you visited, that is how I expect to be.

 

For the museum and no cameras - do you have to leave your camera on the bus? is it secure there?

 

How readily available were the washroom facilities everywhere you went, and in what condition were they? :eek:

 

Will you be posting any photos or the sphinx/pyrmaids? I'd love to see them. Are you allowed to take photos of the light and sound show?

[T&J]

I am glad you felt some 'awe' in what you visited, that is how I expect to be.

 

For the museum and no cameras - do you have to leave your camera on the bus? is it secure there?

 

How readily available were the washroom facilities everywhere you went, and in what condition were they? :eek:

 

Will you be posting any photos or the sphinx/pyrmaids? I'd love to see them. Are you allowed to take photos of the light and sound show?

 

Yes you can leave all your belongins on the bus without any worries...I did camera, credit cards pasport etc...

 

Washrrom facilities were pretty much available and better at the hotels than in public places.. some places did not have the best hygenic standards as we have back home, but no hole in the ground so don't worry!

 

Yes, you are allowed to take photos only of the Sound and Light show for free, otherwise a video camera is charged approx. $7.00 USD.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[kruisey]

I forgot to mention a couple of things from yesterday that came to mind while I was doing the second day to mention to you all.

 

Yesterday after seeing the Citadel, we had to drive past was is now known as "the City of the Dead". A cemetary from old Egytian times where people that wanted to a place to live but couldn't afford to buy would stay in and convert tombs as there homes and take advantage of the opportunity to save up for a home. It is still going on and see someone laundry hanging or satelite atena from a tomb...way too funny!

 

Also, if you go to the Museums, no photographic equipment of any kind is allowed and you go through two sets of security check points and metal detectors as well...so don't even attempt to try as some idiots did on our tour if you can imagine!

 

Day 2: Sunday Nov 19th, Grand Cairo Overnight

 

I woke up at 6:00am from my wake up call as planned. Jumped in the shower, got out turned on CNN to find out what was happening in the World adn made myself some coffee as they had coffee grounds and a bodum and kettle to make coffee in my Suite.

 

I opened my balcony door (huge balcony overlooking the Nile river) and the amount of smog and haze over the city was incredible...I can still feel it and taste it in my throat today..it's as bad as Beijing or Shanghai.

 

I proceeded to go downstairs at 6:45am and couldn't see anyone from my bus or our tour guide Heba. So I walked outside to the parking lot and everyone was already on the bus although we were told to be ready to leave for 7:00am.

 

We left at 7:10am and took our bus approx. 10 minutes to reach our river boat cruise restaurant location. Our boat was called the "Golden Pharaoh". We got onboard and they immediately sat us upstairs and had a table by the window with 4 other people.

 

The menu consisted of Mango and Orange juices, Coffee, Tea, mineral water, scrambled eggs, hash browns (or an attempt), crepes, boiled egss, sausages. There were fresh croissants adn pastries as well as vegetables, cheeses and fruit salad. All of this was served buffet style.

 

Our boat departed at 7:30am and we went up and down the Nile during breakfast for almost an hour. While on the Nile, there were tables outside on deck and had the opportunity to enjoy theiews with several coffees.

 

We finally got back at 8:45am and our bus left at 9:10am for the Step Pyramids of Sakkara. The drive took all of 50 minutes through Cairo's busiest rush hour time. There are actually 3 rush hour times in Cairo 9:00am, 2 pm and 7:00pm...not the place too be!

 

Once we arrived at Sakkara, the sun was out in full force. It was very hot but a dry heat approx 80F today and a light breeze and intense direct sun....I have a burn on my neck and cheeks from both days actually.

 

The Step Pyarmid of Sakkara is fascinating to view. It is the oldest known Pyramid of all 107 pyramids in Egypt. Sakkara is actually a entire burial site or you could call it one big funeral home with many smaller pyramids and tombs scattered for miles.

 

We had over 1.5 hours there today and I walked around the grounds and even walked up on to the pyramid myself and have some great shots. You can also see Cairo in the distance. As Cairo has expanded, it has come closer to the ruins over the years. I don't know how they plan on preserving these monumental structures as erosion is taking there toll on them from the elements of wind, pollution etc. I was actually shocked that we were allowed to walk-thru all over the place. The one thing I noticed was the poor education on trash collection. There is trash and litter all over the place when visiting the ruins and Pyramids.

 

While on tour a man from one of our buses fell and cut open the side of his head. I happened while I was passing him and tried to help him and his wife while he was motionless on the ground. Eventually a couple of Escorts guides from various buses came to attend to him. He eventually got up after 15 minutes and was attended to by one of the nurses from the ship on tour with us. He is apprently OK this evening onboard.

 

You can't help but wonder how did they accomplish such precision when making these pyramids over 5000 years ago? I was just in awe of the whole thing...It is truly soemthing you need to see and it doesn't do justice on TV on the Discovery Chanel.

 

We left Sakkara at 12 noon and drove to the shop they had promised right near the Hotel for lunch. The shopping consisted of 22 minutes of a free for all with 480 people in one store at the same time. I only had the opportunity to shop for a 18k gold cartouche and chain for Javier. I've been wanting to get him one for ages. The pricing was OK, but I could not bargain mroe than 20% off the prices. The quality of the pieces that were heavier in weight were excellent. You could get cartouches alone for $200-$300 USD but they were very thin and looked cheaper actually. I ended up spending almost $1000.00 on the cartouche and gold chain with his name engraved on the back and the hyroglyphics of Ramses II on the front. Way more than what I wanted to spend honestly, but I am sure he will like it...I just won't ever tell him how much I paid, otherwise he wouldn't wear it!

 

What was so obvious too me and the others is that this store was in "Cahoots" with the tour operator and the guides to get a kickback as they wanted to know from which bus we were from and would write it on our purchases. It was a kickback system of commission for them (the organizers). I was very dissapointed that this was all the shopping I had done coming to Egypt as I wanted to buy so many other things but had no free time to do so as promised.

 

 

We arrived at the Mena house Oberoi Hotel at 12:30pm, the same hotel we ate at for dinner the night previous. The food was good, with meats, vegetables, salads, fresh homus, grilled chicken, fish, rice etc....the dessert tables was exactly as the night before with the same items available.

 

We left the Hotel at 1:45pm for the drive to the the Great Pyramids of the Pharaohs of Cheops, Chephren adn Mycerinus. We arrive at 2:00pm at teh Pyramids which was very closeby. Once there she gave us all the information about the Pyramids while seated on the Air Conditionned bus, which was smart. Then we had a half hour to walk around the three Pyramids or go with her down the shaft of one of the Pyramids of Chephren (the middle one) to visit what it looked like inside. I opted to walk aroiund and take in everything that I could.

 

The largest Pyramid of Cheops, then his son Chephren and his grandsons smallest pyramid Mycerinus. Only the Pyramid of Chephren has it's original finish on the upper part of the Pyramid that can be viewed.

 

There were plenty of menacing peddlers and camel jockeys wanting money for taking pictures and rides etc...

 

We boarded our bus at 2:35 and drove to the Panaroma Plateau approx. 1/2 mile away from the Pyramids to get a perfect view of all three for photographs and also where we could take camel rides and pcitures of the Camels and there owners. We had another half hour there as well.

 

Firstly, I have never been on a Camel and I am afraid of horses because one bit me when I was much younger as a kid. So with that in mind I was still game to go up on a Camel, which I did. The going price for Camel rides are $3.00 USD and $1.00 for pictures. I got on top of the Camel while it was seated and it wasn't very happy or didn't sound like it. It started to get up but I wasn't quite centred on it properly and kept on telling this guy I am about to fall off. I felt so weird being up on top of it and very bumpy as well as a ride....nothing like being on a horse!

 

When it was time to get down and I couldn't wait; I though I was going to fall completely forward onto it's head. You really have to hold on and throw all of you weight to the back of it's back. OMG, I was so happy to be down. He was also trying to convince me to let it give me a kiss for another $1.00....there was no way it or I was kissing it after the smalls coming from it's breath and those teeth!

 

We then left by bus to the Sphinx down from the Plateau of Gize. we arrived at 3:15pm and I walked up to the closest point to the Sphinx. Somehow, I always pictured it much bigger on TV. It is big don't get me wrong but just thought it looked much bigger than in person.

 

The people going into the area around the Sphinx was unbelieveable. There must have been at 10 000 people there today. I got some amazing shots of the Sphinx on different angles and from different locations.

There were also many small peddlers trying to sell you everything all the time. The whole Pyarmid complex was amazing to see I have to admitt to that.

 

We left the Pyramids of Gize at 4:10 for our 3 hour bus ride to Alexandria. Along our drive traffic was crazy. We had to travel still in a convoy of all 9 buses plus our back up bus behind just in case one of them broke down.

 

Upon arriving at the ship at 6:50pm, they had both gangways open but we were just too many people arriving at one time almost 500 pax. It took almost 30 minutes to get onboard and everything was thouroughly x-rayed and examined for security reasons.

 

I of course cam immediately up here to start posting as I knew people would be expecting to hear from me ASAP.

 

Overall, I would say it was an "OK" tour, that did go to some of the most important places. However the disorganization, and logistical problems we had on our arrival into Port Said is acceptable which did impact our tour over any other day trip tour since the ship was extending it's port time in Port Said by pushing back the departure time by 2 hours. The cutting out of the bazaar and our free time and also today 22 minutes in one pre-arranged store does not sit well with me either.

 

For the $$$, I did not feel it was worth it as it was way too much to do, not enough time and especially given the delays on day one. Also the emphasis on food was way too much. We could have had a boxed lunch (upgraded version) like we did on the last day of our South African Overnight Safari to allow us to better make use of our precious time travelling from point to point.

 

I personally would not redo this tour myself, but would customize something in a smaller group that would give us more flexibilty and time better spent.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

Earlier this year Tony there were shooting in a market tourist area in Cairo.

Maybe thats why security was so tight...re market high tourist volume area in the city.

The Egyption Government rely on tourism......they do their very best to look after you.....

Maybe soon they will be able to relax this tight security again.

Have always kept an eye on the news from Egypt over the years with my sister visiting frequently.

[T&J]

Thanks for the review of the overnight. Quite complete.

 

Glad that I did NOT sign up for it when we arrive Port Said on 11-30-06 on Nautica. I'm not that much into antiquities (sp?) anyway.

 

Michael....wasn't easy to write or to remember everything either!...I am sure there are thing sthat I left out that I will remember later tonight or tomorrow and have to repost again.

 

Glad you enjoyed it!

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[mississauga]

Tony, for next time, would you still try to arrange a tour beforehand or would it be safe to go on your own once you had arrived in Egypt? Also, what were the peddlars trying to sell? Were there any merchandise worthing looking at or just peddlars trying to get some money? You are certainly justified in being upset that you were not able to shop for some souvenirs of your trip to Egypt.......after all, how often does one get to go to Egypt? I bet there were a lot of upset people on your tour, especially the women!....lol :)

 

From the looks of it..you didn't try that hard!:rolleyes:

 

 

The camel subject ( since you are in Egypt ) was legitimate. I really had not heard of camels being eaten before so asked and got answers on this board. Also you told us to keep the thread going while you were away and that's what Arlene and the rest of us tried to do and our topic of interest was camels.:)

[Casshew]

Now I'm back to square one again. Just can't decide what to do, the overnight or the day trip.

 

Thanks for all your help & details, Tony. :)

[T&J]

Earlier this year Tony there were shooting in a market tourist area in Cairo.

Maybe thats why security was so tight...re market high tourist volume area in the city.

The Egyption Government rely on tourism......they do their very best to look after you.....

Maybe soon they will be able to relax this tight security again.

Have always kept an eye on the news from Egypt over the years with my sister visiting frequently.

 

Yes, Tourism is the #2 source of money to the Egyptian Economy. I was surprised today to hear the stats from our guide as to the number of visitors.

 

#1 Germans

#2 French

#3 Japanese

#4 Americans

# 5 Candians

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Now I'm back to square one again. Just can't decide what to do, the overnight or the day trip.

 

Thanks for all your help & details, Tony. :)

 

My advice, do two seperate day trips.

 

One in Port Said of the Pyramids in Sakarra with a Museum tour or something else.

 

The next day in Alexandria do the Great Pyramids and the Nile Cruise and skip staying in a hotel is you don;t mind all the travel time or arrange for your own overnight customized to what you would prefer seeing and doing and at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing your security.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Tony, for next time, would you still try to arrange a tour beforehand or would it be safe to go on your own once you had arrived in Egypt? Also, what were the peddlars trying to sell? Were there any merchandise worthing looking at or just peddlars trying to get some money? You are certainly justified in being upset that you were not able to shop for some souvenirs of your trip to Egypt.......after all, how often does one get to go to Egypt? I bet there were a lot of upset people on your tour, especially the women!....lol :)

 

 

 

The camel subject ( since you are in Egypt ) was legitimate. I really had not heard of camels being eaten before so asked and got answers on this board. Also you told us to keep the thread going while you were away and that's what Arlene and the rest of us tried to do and our topic of interest was camels.:)

 

I would arrange something in advance IMHO...I wouldn't just wanna show up in Cairo and rent a taxi that could take you out in the dessert and you never come back if you get my drift?

 

Merchandise, was plastic pyramids, Egyptian statues made of wood, beeds, chains, replicas of the Sphinx...nothing really of quality.

 

The Camel eating is true BTW, I asked our guide, but not that common.

 

Oh, I know about the thread to keep it going I had no problem at all with what was being said, it only appears one person did thus far.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

OK guys, I still have my overnight bag here with me beside my computer in the Internet Cafe and it's 9:40pm adn getting a little hungry. So I am going to go and quickly get a bite in the Dinning Room and then come back on here.

 

So think of your questions, comments etc and I'll be back in less than an hour to re-post. I don't know where I am getting all thi energy all of a sudden?

 

More to follow after I eat onboard the Golden Princess at sea enroute to Civitavecchia, Italy.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool: