My first trip to Egypt, and it was truly memorable, the people are wonderful, warm and

hospitable; crime is almost non-existent, all in all a place I felt safe traveling.

I stayed in a small Hotel in Giza overlooking the Pyramids, the service was excellent

Cairo is amazing; I couldnt believe I was seeing donkeys and camels meandering
among the modern cars racing the streets. A city rich in history, I visited Islamic Cairo
with its Ancient Mosques, the Citadel, and the world famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar
which lives up to all the expectations I had from seeing it in the Movies. If you like to
bargain this is the place to do it.

We took time to visit an Islamic Artists house; it was interesting to see the way the
Islamic houses were laid out. The internal courtyards offer privacy from the outside
noise and dust, and the unique entrances, where the doors dont lead straight ahead,
but into an entryway were you turn left or right for entry, again to protect the owners'
privacy from direct contact with the outside. Then the Mastabas, the best way I can
describe them is they are a little like enclosed balconies with latticed windows,
overlooking in most cases the inner courtyard. Those overlooking the street are a more
enclosed and usually have peep holes for the residents to look out without being seen.

We drove past the City of the dead a unique experience to see houses where in these
modern times the dead are now buried.

The Egyptian Museum was a day all on its own, so much to see and take in. A trip
through the different Kingdoms and time periods, and seeing the treasures of King Tuts
tomb, spectacular to say the least. Then to see the mummies preserved from thousands
of years ago was a wonderful experience taking me back to another time and place.

On another day we visited the Pharaonic Village, a trip out by boat to an island, where
the History of the Culture and Crafts of Egypt are laid out and described as you traverse
by boat around the island. This is another Tour that could take up the whole day if you
wanted. The Tour ends on the island, where there is a restaurant and we had free time
to visit the Islamic Art museum, with some beautiful art works from olden times.

The Ancient Pyramids of Cheops and the Sphinx are much closer to the city than I had
imagined, in the dessert on the outskirts of Cairo in Giza. I had pictured them to be way
out in the dessert, but all the same they are truly a sight to behold. I didn't have time for
a Camel ride that day, but would suggest allowing time as it is something that can't be
repeated anywhere, to ride among the Pyramids as they did in ancient times on the
back of a Camel. The light and sound show was spectacular, and is shown in a variety
of different languages.
Yet in among this ancient world is a Modern city with an ultra-modern Opera House,
one of the most beautiful in the world, the Cairo Tower, the largest concrete tower in the
World and offering a spectacular view of the city especially at night. The World Trade
Center, the indoor shopping malls and the numerous modern 5 star Hotels reflect a City
which is right up to date with modern times.

Whilst staying in Cairo we traveled out of the city to Sakkara, to see the Step Pyramid
the creation of Imhoteb the master builder. Even after all Ive read and seen it is still
unbelievable that this massive structure could have been built without the machinery we
have today.Then it was on Memphis to see the gigantic statue of Ramses the II still in
the same place it was discovered by accident. A lady crossing a muddy street tripped
on what turned out to be the foot of this enormous statue, previously buried and
probably downed by an earthquake. I was a miniature standing by the head of this
massive statue.

On the way back we stopped at a carpet factory to see the children with their nimble
fingers turning out beautiful carpets and wall tapestries.They encouraged me to sit and
try, and had great fun when my fingers weren't able to tie the knots as nimbly as theirs.
It was obvious they were thoroughly enjoying their craft and enjoyed meeting the visitors
and showing off their talents, and of course I couldn't resist buying some souvenir wall
hangings to bring home.

Egypt has so much to offer, we journeyed out to Alexandria, the gem on the
Mediterranean Sea, home of Cleopatra and Alexander, where a new unique library is
being built to replace the one burnt in the days of Cleopatra and Alexander the Great. A
library that was said to hold every book in the world. Alexandria is the home of the
Catacombs, the Montazah Palace and gardens, a Greco-Roman Museum, a Roman
Amphitheater, a Jewellery museum, and astonishingly beautiful Mosaic Art all along the
main promenade, not to mention the Citadel where recent discoveries have found what
may be the remains of Cleopatra's Palace. We took a walk through the Montazah Park
and out to the famous lighthouse. We ate in a local seafood restaurant where you pick
out the fish you want from a tank and they cook it for you. Alexandria was my favorite
place, and becomes the favorite destination for Egyptians in the summer time.

Then it was onto Luxor by train, approx. 10 hours from Cairo. First class all the way, I
would say equivalent to first class in a plane for space and comfort, and snacks and
beverages where readily available from a trolley service. (This trip can be done by
plane, and is cheaper when purchased with your international air flight) Of course Egypt
wouldn't be Egypt without a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Tombs of the Kings, the
Temple of Queen Hatshipsuit and the Valley of the Queens where the tomb of Nefertiti
can be seen in all its original splendor, and color.

We spent several days on the West Bank, and took time to visit the craftsmen at work
up in the mountains at Gourna.They were carving Alabaster and stone work, and
weaving handmade primitive carpets on homemade looms set up in holes dug in the
mountainside, where many of the homes are built on the entryways to the Tombs of the
Nobles.

Throughout Egypt I witnessed the ancient crafts still created today in the ancient way.
Papyrus, Perfumeries, Alabaster and stone work, and Carpet Weaving to name but a
few, and don't forget to check out the gold Cartouches beautifully engraved with your
name in Hieroglyphics.

We visited the home of the Sheik who was chief digger for Wilf Carter during the
excavation of the Tomb of King Tut. We ate lunch in the peaceful courtyard overlooking
the fields of sugar cane and the Colossi of Memnon.The house is now a small Hotel
frequented by artists, authors and artisans from around the world. A peaceful place to
pursue their talents.

Whilst in Luxor we visited the Karnak Temple and witnessed the light and sound show
with the History of Akahnaten the Pharaoh King who changed the history of Egypt by
claiming there was only one God, Ra,the Sun God.Throughout the ages Statutes of all
the Kings(Gods) where everywhere but after Akahnaten's death all his statues were
destroyed in an attempt to obliterate his memory and the country returned to the
worship of the previous Gods.

We visited the Luxor Temple with its many statues and the avenue of Sphinxes.We took
a horse carriage ride through the streets of this quaint seaside town, and visited the
open air market to buy a Galabia for the Galabia Party onboard the Cruise Ship..
And next, an experience not to be missed a luxurious Cruise on the River Nile from
Luxor to Aswan and back (can be done one way 3 or 4 days, either way).This was very
relaxing, we traversed at a leisurely pace and stopped to see the Temples in Edfu and
Kom Ombo.

On reaching Aswan we took a Felucca (small sailboat) ride on the Nile out to
Elephantine Island with its beautiful Botanical Garden.Then on the way back we
stopped for a visit to a Nubian Village to see village life as it is today, little changed from
that of thousands of years ago. We sampled the local homemade bread, and they had
some great homemade crafts at low prices, I stocked up on some great gifts. The kids
here were looking for Baksheesh, this is normal and not considered begging, but as
souvenirs from foreign visitors.. I would suggest taking pens with names on them or
some candy, small offerings, but the kids and adults love them.

In the afternoon we took a trip to the Philae Temple of Isis, one of the most beautiful
temples occupying a unique location on an island.Then onto the High Dam the greatest
irrigation project that changed life in Egypt and influenced its history for a long time,
economically and politically.On our return we stopped at a Papyrus factory to watch
craftsmen making Papyrus paper the way it used to be made.

From Aswan there is an optional trip to Abu Simbel, to see the great temple of Ramses
the II, but unfortunately this was a last minute booking and we hadn't pre-booked and
the flights were full, so where unable to get tickets this time..next time I wont miss it. So
instead we visited the new Nubian Museum, an extraordinarily beautiful Museum
dedicated to the History and culture of the Nubian People.

On returning from Aswan to Luxor we traversed a series of Locks. If travelling in this

direction allow a little extra time for arrival in Luxor as the Locks are based on a first
come first served basis and can delay ships for a couple of hours if they are busy.

On leaving Luxor we traveled by van and stopped briefly in Hurghada a resort city on
the Red Sea, famous for it water sports and diving. We took a city tour, but had little
time to take in the seaside resort town. This would be the ideal spot for those wanting to
relax for a few days on the beach and do some diving, but on this trip I had no time for
this.

My trip ended all too quickly and it was time to return home to Canada to put together a
series of Egyptian Tours based on the information I had learned. I still have to go back
to see an Oasis, the Sinai, St. Catherine's and the Suez Canal and all the other places I
didnt have time to visit on this trip.

Of course many of the activities I participated in could be condensed into shorter time
frames, but I wanted to get a good feel for all these places. I could write many more
pages on this wonderful trip, there was so much. There is no doubt that Egypt is the
Queen of countries - a country rich in history and culture. Try it for yourself..you won't be
sorry.