Our documents have left Indiana and are now in Maumee, Ohio.....getting closer...only 5 hours from Toronto....OH MY.... now saying Delivery is the 26th :woh: :woh: ...thats TOMORROW!!!

I just ordered Mark one of those Tilley blazers, but in tan. He'll be all dapper, with Ray. His black blazer looks like he's playing in his daddy's clothes, we deliberately bought a less expensive one because we knew he'd be still shrinking.

We should be able to get Egyptian money at the Cairo airport, shouldn't we?

Yay for your box coming tomorrow, Pat!

I used to get foreign money here before leaving since, as we all know, it is good to have.
I have found that the fees i was being charged here at home (all in. shipping, etc) were much more than the fees charged at the airport when I landed. (& we all know that those fees are high!)
So, what I now do is to carry lots of US singles for tips and head for the ATM for funds to get a cab or whatever. Once in town, I find an ATM & get the balance of what I need. I never use the hotel, if I can avoid it.
Also, if you are planning to use a cab...ask if they take credit cards. Some do, some don't. Nice to know before you get in.
OH...and be sure to let your bank know that you will be abroad. Last thing you want or need is to have your card shut down for suspected fraud. Same advice goes for your credit card, too.

Love my Tilley hat. Wore it today in our snow storm. Did not know about the other stuff...will look into it. My jacket may be wrinkled. Hope you all will still dine with me.

Docs due tomorrow. With the storm, we will see.

Doug

I'm feelimg the same thing Doug, the storm (not a Nor/Easter like yours) is also due to play havoc with transportation
Yes of course we will dine with you,whats a couple of wrinkles between friens( at least you can iron yours out)hehehe.

Oh, Pat!
This will be such fun!

Doug

Oh, yes, before I forget...everyone should ask their credit cards what the surcharge is for international charges..it can be as high as 3%. Just ask & use the cards accordingly.

I would wait until you are in Egypt to get foreign money we never get it ahead. You will all be met and taken to the VIP lounge and then transferred so you will not need money right away. We can always ask our guide to make a bank stop.

I will contact K&D and find out how absolutely necessary a jacket is and see if we can MUTINY an go jacket-less. Shades of the ROVOS RAIL. Remember those sequin ties when we were told we must wear jacket and tie.

Good internet in the hotels Ken and I will be bringing a lap top - maybe TWO so we do not fight over the computer.

BINGO!
Right on, Ngaire

I'll drink to that!

But we have to leave room for shoes and Birkenstocks

Box made it to Windsor,Ontario at 12:30 am this morning....still sitting there. Thats only 3 hrs or so from here...maybe we should drive down and pick it up.

Why they sent it "standard" I'll never know....for a few bucks more it would have been here by now.

"Standard" is equivelent to using an ordinary stamp in stead of using an Air-mail stamp. I would have gladly paid for the difference.I'll take even odds that it won't be delivered till next Monday, March 1st.
Can you tell I'm frustrated at this delivery?

We are so spoiled by B&K that we don't put up with anything less than their standard!

And I was thinking, if it's anywhere approaching chilly in the evenings, cold-natured Mark would be wanting a jacket. He'd might as well be wearing a blazer, especially if it's easy to pack.

Yup, but don't forget how cold it gets in Cairo at night. I had a light jacket and froze my... off.
I'm also bringing a sweater and jacket ...never want to be that cold again.

Colder than we got at Madikwe Hills? I absolutely froze on those morning drives.

No, not that cold.We were sitting out front of the Pyramids for a Sound and Light show and I even used the end of the tablecloth to try and keep warm.
I can't remember how it was in Luxor for the S&L show.Know I was glad I brought an Eddie Baur(?) flashlight.

Pat might not have her docs yet but the NILE pin is ready!!

Very nice pin.

Jim remembered to bring the box home from work today (he forgot it yesterday - in spite of an e-mail message and a "don't forget" phone call!)

The itinerary is nicely done. We are so excited about this trip! I wish they had asked us about duffel bags - we don't need any more luggage and we will never use these or the document holders. The little folding shopping bags are handy but we already have a bunch. Oh weill, Goodwill scores another donation - 2010 is my year of "no clutter".

I've been reading about Egyptian history and found this website which gives a nice overview of many of the important sites:

Egyptian Monuments

Mary Ellen

Beautiful Pin....Now for god's sake don't send it by UPS....or might never arrive.....box still sitting in Windsor.

Great web site Mary Ellen,Thank you.

I know most of us would not use the large bag that Ker & Downey sent with the cruise docs, but take a close look at the smaller bag. It has a number of neat pockets and I am fairly sure I will use it to carry important docs for the trip. May also use it for future trips as I find it allows many areas to keep things and there is a nice outside zipper pocket for air tics etc. Do not miss the inside zipper pocket on the cover. I missed it until Carol pointed it out.

Neat. Getting the document package really gets the juices going about the preparation for the trip. Hard to wait.

Hi all,
I just caught up on this thread, and it seems as if you have everything in hand. I did an Egypt cruise/tour last year at the same as Nile.
I only remember it being cold on the night of the S & L show at the Pyramids. Other than that, it was comfortable at night.
The only thing that was not mentioned is that you have to get a Visa upon arrival at the airport. Last year it was $15 USD. Just remember, you have to go there before you go through passport control. It was simple and fast.
Ngaire is right...you do not need a lot of clothes.
Andi, you must go to the Cairo Bazaar. it is absolutely wild. I had one guy abandon his stall and follow me all around the bazaar. The prices are phenominally cheap there. If anyone needs stuff to bring home to friends, this is the place...galabeas(caftans) and all kinds of stuff. On the other hand, if you go to a glass blowing factory, or rug factory or places like that, prices are relatively high, but nice stuff.
Have a great time, and I will be awaiting the Sea Mail.
Lynn
As to the computer...I took mine, and it was usuable on board about twice in the seven day period while we were on board. I tried an internet cafe in Luxor, and they didn't understand how to let me use my computer. Hotels are fine.
Andi, editing to add that in Business Class, I was surpisingly pleased with Delta JFK to CAI

NILE ers ,

Read your documents. The visa thing is planned to be handled by the South Sanai Travel rep who will meet us and escort us to the VIP lounge while that person handles the customs formalities and procures the Egyptian entry visa.

Thanks Lynn! Will email u privately for tips

Anytime, Andi...You also have my number.
Lynn

The 10 lb box should have arrived this Friday past. It would have, too. No pesky Canadian customs for our UPS guys to deal with.
But the weather, as you all know, was awful.
So, it got to NJ and sat in NJ. I assume that it will arrive tomorrow, Monday.
Then all the last minute fun can begin! (I always mis-pack!)

Doug

You have started packing??? Yikes, we are way behind, then.

Carol , needs to start packing right away, that way she can unpack and repack a least four more times between now and 3/17.

The documents have arrived!!!!
Only took 8 Days.
Those are sure big duffles.
Am now sitting down to read it all.

Then comes the packing.

Packing? Doesn't that start on the 18th? :D

Doug packs the night before. I pack before him and I am the one who always forgets something. I think I may subconsiously do this so I can shop. :D

NO JACKET REQUIRED FOR THE TRIP (UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY CHOOSE TO GO TO A FANCY PLACE THAT REQUIRES A JACKET)

I CAN OFFICIALLY INFORM YOU THAT KEN WILL NOT HAVE A JACKET IN HIS TINY SUITCASE.

I am changing a few things and getting some clarification on minor details and will be sending out a letter to everyone as an update to the itinerary in the next few days.

Ngaire,
We haven't traveled on one of these trips in awhile and would love to hear what you are packing.

Clothing

Ngaire
Daytime wear:
2 or 3 pairs of safari pants (quick dry)
1 pair of shorts
4 short sleeve Tee Shirts
1-2 long sleeve Tee Shirts
Hat - safari
One windbreaker
Wear my walking shoes on the plane

Nighttime wear:
2 sets of travellers - black pants and shell
3 - 4 tops
1 pair of black sandals

Ken

Daytime wear:
2 or 3 pairs of safari pants
1 pair of shorts
3 safari shirts
Hat
One windbreaker coat
Wear walking shoes on the plane

Nightime wear:
1 or 2 pair of washable slacks
3 - 4 nice shirts for evening all washable
Brown Shoes

Socks, underwear, toiletries etc of course. I may throw in our "Egytian outfits" Ken looks great (not really) in his flowing blue "dress". They had a night to dress up on the ship in local wear and we already have it so I MIGHT bring it. You can buy an outfit for a pittance with the local vendors.

Cut down on the SHOES that is what kills you.
I also bought a lot last time in Egypt so I want some space. Cant remember what I bought but I know I was STUFFED when I came back.

Our problem is our carryon will be FULL of cameras and computers.

Would love to do carryon and probably could do it but we may take our regular suitcase - possibly just one. Just have to see how it works. I like to have half empty suitcase so you have plenty of room. Never leave with a full suitcase.

Thanks for the list, Ngaire.
I figure that if I could do 27 lbs for ROAR, this will be a snap. (I fully expect to eat these words before it is all over.

Question: the K&D details were not totally clear about internet access. Can you fill in the gaps?

Also, can you ask Ken to suggest what lens selection he recommends?

Thanks, Doug

PS: how many are we?

Thanks Ngaire, the list is very helpful.

Yes, I was hoping Ken could give his opinion on lenses. I'm bring my 24-105 but am wondering if it will be wide enough.

Andrea:
I would assume that your 24 would be wide enough. Just wondering about the 105 limit.
That's why I asked Ken for his advice.
I could bring the monster, but not sure if I need the bother of carrying such a large (& heavy) lens.
Well, we still have lots of time to deal with such things.
Will be good to see you again.

Doug

I'm also bring the 70-200/4 - thought it would be useful on the cruise. By monster I assume you mean the 100-400? That might be a little too much!

It will be good to see you too!

I kinda agree. the 70-300 might be enough. Along with the 18-55.
But the optics are so very much better on the monster.
Life is good if these are the only problems we have, eh?

Doug

only 2 pairs of shoes?

yes, dear. But that is only so you can bring more stuff home

There are no Birkenhead stores in Egypt or Jordan....