Africa

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Third time lucky with the Pyramids

At the pyramids This morning, I set out for the Great Pyramids at Giza. Hopefully, I’d be third time lucky aas the first and second times I didn’t get to go inside of the big pyramids. The hotel had offered a car for USD35 including waiting time and going to the Egyptian museum (10 minutes […]

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In the capital

There was no online availability for an earlier train to Cairo so I had booked for 1200 midday. I’m sure I could have booked at a station and got a ticket for an earlier one. But I enjoyed the relaxing morning until I had to leave the hotel at 1100. It was going to be […]

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Exploring Alexandria

After breakfast, I took the minivan public transport along the Corniche to the far end at the west. I got off near Fort Qaitbey which I had no intention of visiting. I walked around the area of the Eastern Harbour to have a better picture of the fort and rough waters of the Med. What […]

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The city they named after me

A man boards the train at one of the stops after midnight. He was unhappy to find that his seat was taken by someone else who wanted to be closer to his travelling party. There was lots of shouting. I dozed in and out. Towards the end there was a security guy with a rifle […]

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To the Mediterranean

Above: From my Luxor hotel rooftop. I had spent all of yesterday in the hotel, mostly in bed. I needed time to clear my mind with things I haven’t taken care of for a while when on the road. So, it was filing, sorting bills, and trying my luck with getting a new job when […]

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Revisiting Luxor’s West Bank

West Bank Tour Today I did a tour of Luxor’s West Bank as part of a van arranged through Bob Marley Peace Hostel. Their price was EGP40 (NZD6.50) compared to EGP100 at my hotel. Not bad for nearly 7 hours inclusive of a guide. I visited the Valley of the Kings some 22 years ago. […]

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Floating off into the Air

With nearly no tourists in Luxor the price of hot air balloon rides has plummeted. I managed to score a deal for EGP220 (NZD37) by booking at the Bob Marley Peace Hostel rather than my hotel. I was picked up by van at 0500 and dropped off at the river bank for a ferry ride […]

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Disembarking the Felucca

I woke around 0700 again and was offered a slightly better breakfast today as Ahmad was onboard. Today I had an omelette as well as bread, jam, cheese and tea. Ziggy told me that there had been a slight change in plan. Rather than drop me near Edfu where I’d have to take a car […]

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Daraw’s Camel Market & Kom Ombo Temple

We tied up around 0200 near Daraw. When I woke around 0700, I was offered a simple breakfast after which I took a tutuk to the camel market. This is a Sat/Sun event (it isn’t too clear) but there was certainly a fullhouse of camels and camel traders on this Sun morning. Planning is essential […]

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Starting my Felucca Journey

I had breakfast with Erich and Ulla. We were going our separate ways today; their Land Cruiser had arrived and will be ready for use today. I picked their brains on various parts of Africa. They talked about Chad and how they had seen some canyons with water there; I thought for a moment that […]

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