We spent 5 nights in Cairo. While there we visited the Cairo museum and
saw lots of the relics from King Tuts tomb. We also saw the special mummy
exhibit. We spent a day at Giza and the pyramids and also went to Sakkara
to see the step pyramid. One day most of the group went on an optional
tour to Alexandria. George & I, along with Harold & Carol, Jim & Mozelle,
and Barbara & Dazarine stayed in Cairo and went on our own to the Cairo Bazaar.
It was awesome and we had a ball!!!
Unfortunately that afternoon, we all went off for a walk along the streets
near the hotel. As we were crossing a street, Carol Powers fell and
shattered her shoulder. She ended up having surgery at a local hospital.
She had to fly home and missed the rest of our trip. And it was Carol that
originally came up with the idea and set everything up!!! It was a horrid
accident and we were all really bummed, but Carol came through it like a champ
and is recovering nicely.
We flew from Cairo to Aswan and boarded the Anuket River Cruise Ship.
Then we spent 7 days cruising the Nile. We docked at Aswan, Kom Ombo and
Luxor.
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.JPG "The Cairo Bazaar")
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The Cairo Bazaar |
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On the day that most of our group took the optional tour to Alexandria, Carol & Harold, Jim & Mozelle, Barbara, Dazarine, George & I went on our own to the Cairo Bazaar. It was wonderful! We had a ball, spent lots of money and laughed all afternoon! |
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.JPG "Cairo Bazaar")
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Cairo Bazaar |
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Dazarine models an Egyptian scarf |
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.JPG "Cairo Bazaar")
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Cairo Bazaar |
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Our group making purchases from a local vendor |
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.JPG "Cairo Bazaar")
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Cairo Bazaar |
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A patiently (?) waiting Harold! |
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.JPG "Home Hosted Dinner Group")
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Home Hosted Dinner Group |
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One unusual and fascinating event during any Grand Circle Tour is the Home Hosted Dinner. Our group was divided up and we were welcomed into the home of an Egyptian resident. The family cooked and served dinner for us and we got to have a little more incite into the local Egyptian way of life. It was a wonderful experience. |
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.JPG "Giza")
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Giza |
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Of course the most recognized sights in Egypt are the 3 great pyramids. It almost makes my heart stop everytime I think that we actually stood in the shadow of this impressive structures. |
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.JPG "Giza Pyramids")
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Giza Pyramids |
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Our proof that we were there!!!! |
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.JPG "Camel Rides in Giza")
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Camel Rides in Giza |
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It would not have been a complete visit without riding a camel!! |
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.JPG "The mighty Sphinx!")
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The mighty Sphinx! |
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Our group in front of the Sphinx. |
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.JPG "Who is that Egyptian peeking around the corner!!")
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Who is that Egyptian peeking around the corner!! |
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Tom Anderson, of course!!! Does he look good or what? |
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.JPG "The mighty Step Pyramid in Sakkara")
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The mighty Step Pyramid in Sakkara |
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.JPG "Sakkara Road Traffic")
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Sakkara Road Traffic |
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We had stopped at a Carpet School after visiting the Step Pyramid. While we stood outside, there was a constant stream of traffic such as this on the road. Most waved and said hello as they made their way home from working in the fields. |
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.JPG "Abu Simbel - Great Temple")
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Abu Simbel - Great Temple |
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This magnificient temple was actually moved piece by piece to keep up from being lost forever under the waters of Lake Nasser when the Aswan Dam was built. |
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.JPG "Abu Simbel - Smaller Temple")
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Abu Simbel - Smaller Temple |
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.JPG "Felucca on the Nile")
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Felucca on the Nile |
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This was part of the fabulous view we had from our cabin on the Anuket while we were docked at Aswan. This is a small felucca or sail boat. This boats varied greatly in size and we actually got to sail in one later that first afternoon after our arrival in Aswan. This was the highlight of our visit for me! |
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.JPG "View of the Nile while on our Felucca sail")
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View of the Nile while on our Felucca sail |
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.JPG "Just a happy couple!")
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Just a happy couple! |
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Salah, our program director and our own Jeff Weiler! |
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.JPG "The Philae Temple")
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The Philae Temple |
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This temple is on an island just a few miles and a boat ride from Aswan. The setting is gorgeous and the temple is amazing. |
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.JPG "Kom Ombo")
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Kom Ombo |
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The Kom Ombo Temple can just be seen in the background. In the foreground is a row of stalls where we bought our clothes for the Egyptian Night party!!!! |
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Egyptian night was wonderful! |
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We played and socialized in our Egyptian garb all night! |
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.JPG "Balloons above the Nile in Luxor")
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Balloons above the Nile in Luxor |
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George & I elected not to participate in the pre dawn balloon adventure, but I did wake up and take a picture out our cabin window. Our group had a beautiful clear day for their ride! |
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.JPG "The enormous Karnak Temple!")
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The enormous Karnak Temple! |
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This temple in Luxor was absolutely huge. It covered acres of property with unbelievable carvings throughout. We also saw much excavation still going on. Very, very impressive. |
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.JPG "Sunset on the Nile in Luxor")
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Sunset on the Nile in Luxor |
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.JPG "Sailing the Nile near Luxor")
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Sailing the Nile near Luxor |
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I caught this scene while we were cruising on the Nile. The woman is washing something in the Nile and the animals are grazing! |
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Ramses VI tomb in Valley of the Kings |
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We paid a few dollars extra to be allowed into this tomb. The colors of the paintings and carvings on the wall are simply unbelievable. While we were in the tomb, the power went out. IT WAS DARK!!!!! WOW! We also paid a couple of dollars and were allowed beyond the ropes to actually stand next to the sarcophagus. It was amazing!!! |
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.JPG "The Cairo Bazaar")
.JPG "Cairo Bazaar")
.JPG "Cairo Bazaar")
.JPG "Cairo Bazaar")
.JPG "Home Hosted Dinner Group")
.JPG "Giza")
.JPG)
.JPG "Giza Pyramids")
.JPG "Camel Rides in Giza")
.JPG)
.JPG "The mighty Sphinx!")
.JPG "Who is that Egyptian peeking around the corner!!")
.JPG "The mighty Sphinx!")
.JPG "The mighty Step Pyramid in Sakkara")
.JPG "Sakkara Road Traffic")
.JPG "The procession continues")
.JPG "Abu Simbel - Great Temple")
.JPG "Abu Simbel")
.JPG "Abu Simbel - Smaller Temple")
.JPG "Felucca on the Nile")
.JPG "View of the Nile while on our Felucca sail")
.JPG "Just a happy couple!")
.JPG "The Philae Temple")
.JPG "Kom Ombo")
.JPG "Kom Ombo Temple")
.JPG "The mighty Edfu Temple")
.JPG "Balloons above the Nile in Luxor")
.JPG "The enormous Karnak Temple!")
.JPG "Sunset on the Nile in Luxor")
.JPG "Sailing the Nile near Luxor")
