Eternal Nile Day 11
Eternal Nile
DAY 11 - Tuesday, December 7, 2004 - Flight from Aswan to Cairo, Free Day in Cairo, Home-Hosted Dinner
Our alarm went off at 5 AM and our wake-up call came at 5:15. Early morning for us to catch an Egypt Air flight to Cairo for the last three days of our wonderful trip. We had most of the packing done last night so it was easy to get the suitcases out by 5:45.
A porter was already collecting from other hallways so we put ours with his and went down to our buffet breakfast at the Orangery Restaurant on the 2nd floor. We saw that people seem to be slowly getting about today as the end of the journey is near and people getting tired and run down. Many in our group are suffering from colds and coughs.
We met the group in the main lobby at 6:25 and identified our luggage. It was placed in a pick-up to be taken to the dock to be unloaded onto a small boat and taken to the other side where we again identified it to be taken to our bus.
We, ourselves got onto another craft and were taken to the other side for the bus ride to the airport. As it was early morning there were less vehicles about but, as in all parts of Egypt, people drive in the center of the road, rarely let others pass, and the use of the horn is a cacophony of sounds in every town. One has to have special patience. And we are not even talking about Cairo yet!
Once we got to the airport we had to go through our security with people having to take all metal items from their bodies. We again had to identify our luggage, it was taken in and placed in a row close to our temporary seats. As we waited for our boarding passes we passed the time talking to one another.
We then had to go back to identify the suitcases when the luggage travel tags were placed. We then went to the waiting area - very nice and new. When we were ready to board, we had to go through security again. Very interesting country.
We boarded the aircraft, took off, landed in Luxor, let off some passengers and picked up a few more. We took off again and landed in Cairo at about 11. We waited for our luggage to be picked up and loaded to be taken to our buses awaiting us outside.
Cairo is sitting in a cloud of smog today. Very harsh and polluted. We had a long 50 minute drive from the airport to the grandest hotel in Cairo - The Mena House Oberoi at the foot of the pyramids. Driving through the city is an experience. The traffic goes everywhere. Person on the left hand lane turns right across 2, 3, or even 4 lanes. On the right, the same scene is repeated. Crazy stuff.
Every car is dinged up. Cairo is worse than Sao Paulo, Bangkok, Beijing, or anywhere we have been. It is a big game of chicken - no one makes eye contact. To top it off, the President of Egypt was flying today so all the roads were lined with police and military men 10 yards apart.
We had the afternoon for lunch and free time. We grabbed something to eat by the pool, spoke to Shahihaz, and then went for a walk. A golf course right at the foot of the pyramids - owned by the Hotel. To play 18 holes is 55 LE ($8.90). To rent clubs is the same.
For a California Camel (cart) is free. What a deal! Then we walked up to the base of the pyramids but they were closing (4 PM). The guard let us in for a few photos and I gave him a little tip.
After a quick shower we met the group by the main hotel and we drove for another 50 minutes to the home of a upper middle class family for dinner. On the drive over we saw a woman crossing the street and get bumped by a vehicle. The driver yelled at her and drove rapidly away.
At the apartment of our Home Hosted Dinner, our hostess told us of her recent history, introduced us to her sister in law in, and then served an excellent meal. We presented her with some gifts and then we left at 9:30 or so. The drive back was not as long but still a demolition derby.
Accommodations: Mena House Oberoi - - - Meals: B, D
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Comments
Post a Comment!Such wonderful pictures! Wow!!
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