It was just as well that we spent six days in Singapore on the way to Egypt and another two days on the way back. This gave us the opportunity to have a real holiday, enjoy comfortable accommodation, eat great food and relax.
Unfortunately, customer service, hotel maintenance, cleanliness, good food and a relaxed atmosphere are not the strengths of Egypt. We all got sick, were assaulted and thoroughly annoyed by the begging, money grabbing culture that has developed in these people. This is sad in a country that has so much natural wealth including oil deposits. The rich get richer and the poor poorer.
Having said that, these aren’t the things you go to Egypt to experience. What we did see were:
- Pyramids
- Temples
- Where Jesus, Joseph and Mary hid out in Cairo
- A coptic church, synagogue and mosque
- Museums (Tutankhamun mask and sarcophagus, Seti’s mummy)
- Library at Alexandria
- El Alamein
- Cairo
- Nile River
- Valley of the Kings and Queens
- Balloon ride
- Nile cruise
- Abu Simbel
- Mediterranean Sea
- Sahara Desert
- Felucca ride
- Sleeper train
- Forts and
- Palaces
All of these gave us some great memories which are reflected in about 700 photos and one and half hours of video. I have uploaded a small sample for you to view. Despite our trials and tribulations this is an experience we would not have missed. We have vowed not to go on any more tours than are absolutely necessary. Independent travel is what we enjoy most. Being able to set your own timetable is so important in creating a proper holiday.
