Just arrived in Cairo with that private car waiting at the end of the plane stairway whisking us away to our own private lounge. No bus for us! The escort took our passports and luggage claim tickets and we relaxed while he got our visa and luggage.

As we exited the VIPs area waiting to greet us with big smiles we saw HENRY and HOSSAM. For all of you who have done Egypt with us you know how wonderful these two guys are. Even though it was 1am when we arrived we had lively conversation all the way to the hotel. I got really pumped about our upcoming tour.

We are off to Alexandria tomorrow they are both coming with us. So those coming in will have someone other than HOSSAM meeting you. All the guides with this company are excellent do you will be in good hands. Supposed to be nice weather in Cairo but hotter in Luxor and for our Nile cruise.

Safe travels, Ngaire. Please extend mine and Jerry's best regards to Henry and Hossam. Is Hany still with the company?
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Helen

Change of plans. Hossam is going to meet everyone on arrival. That makes me happy you will all love hossam.

Hany has moved to Canada with his family. He comes back to do tours from time to time. He misses Egypt but his family has settled down in Canada and like it there

So excited for this trip. We leave this evening from Washington and arrive Doha tomorrow evening. Spend the night at the airport hotel and then on to Cairo Fri morning. Looking forward to seeing everyone Friday afternoon. Thanks for letting us know that Hosson will be meeting us when we exit the VIP lounge.

So sorry we had to cancel this trip, but I will enjoy following along vicariously.

Drove to Alexandria today. Saw the catacombs and the Pompeii pyramid. All was well until our drive to the Four Seasons Hotel. We hit a traffic jam to beat all traffic jams. At least we were in a market area so it was interesting to watch the people and the shops and what they were selling. A woman in a full burka with another woman in skin tight clothing and no scarf. They were obviously great friends and shopping together. I have seen this before but it always fascinates me to see the contrast.

We have a lovely room with a sea view and having an Italian dinner tonight and the menu looks fantastic. Then we hit the sack and crashed. Tomorrow the famous Alexandria library.

Love seamail !! Hope you all have a great time and we'll enjoy traveling with you vicariously.

Dinner last night was absolutely outstanding. We chose the Italian restaurant and everything we ate was fantastic. Chef came out described all the dishes and we ended up ordering different things and splitting courses so we could try more things. The chef cooked in an open kitchen and cooked everything we ordered personally.

Now we are back in our lovely room after our time in Alexandria. The library is really worth seeng. A masterpiece of design that can house eight million books. There are also two children's libraries, a library for the blind in braille and permanent exhibitions. They have special programs for handicapped children helping them to do as much as possible despite their handicap. We really enjoyed our visit.

We visited a castle that was built on the site of the famous Alexandria lighthouse. Felt like I was in Portugal with the architecture. Stunning sea and city views. They have discovered antiquities under the sea at the base of the castle. There were plans to build an underwater museum but the cost was so high the plans had to be abandoned. It is thought there are a lot of items from cleopatra's time as well as massive statues. One of these statues was raised from the ocean and placed in front of the museum.

We enjoyed a fantastic lunch of local sea bass and calamari with a stunning view of the ocean and city before returning to the hotel.

Almost everyone is arriving today in Cairo and tomorrow night we have our private sound and light show at the pyramids.

Hopefully Ken will post a few pictures tonight.

Photos From Alexandria, Egypt:


The Library.




Taking a Photo with Alexander The Great.


Inside the Library.










Cotton Candy For Sale.

A beautiful Arrangement at the Four Seasons in Alexandria.

Can't wait for all the reports and pictures! One of my favorite trips ever even though I didn't feel well and business issues called us home after 4 days.

Really wish we could have seen the library in Alexandria. It was closed the day we were there!

Kathy, we really missed you after you left us in Cairo. Nile 2 was a great trip especially given the lack of crowds. That being said it was pretty sad to realize how the people involved in the tourism biz were suffering. Happy to see Ngaire doing her best to revive the industry there! How are the crowds, Ngaire?
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Helen

Great Photos Ken ! Brought back great memories seeing the huge beautiful Alexandria Library.

Last night we went to the pyramid sound and light show. Nice evening, no wind and it is always nice to see the pyramids at night with sky behind. Four of us went to the bar to have hamburgers. I do not eat hamburgers much but remembered they were really good from our last trips. The burgers were good but the loud live singer was irritating so hard to talk with that blasting away.

We just finished our first day. We visited the pyramids, the chamber where they prepare the mummies and the Sphinx. So few people. Fantastic for us but sad for Egypt. We were almost by ourselves at the Sphinx just a few school children on a higher area. I remember the first trip how crowded it was hard to take pictures.

We went to a shop where a few purchases were made and then to lunch at the Mena hotel. Wonderful view of the pyramids and a delicious lunch. I had mushroom soup and (For the third time)?seabass.

In the afternoon we went to Memphis the first Capitol city of Egypt and saw the statue of Ramses. It always intrigues me it is so large and beautifully carved. Finishing up with the first Egyptian pyramid, Sakara.

Every trip we have taken back to about ten years ago we have always had a government police escort. Today we had the best ever. Looked like he stepped out of a movie set as the star CIA Agent. Handsome, a big black man with a strong presence. He was wonderful as well helping Jill down a slope area. His name was Mohammed.

It was a good day Henry was in fine form. He gave his children the NILE 3 pins. Henry told us his three year old son put three on his shirt. One on each shoulder and one in the middle and said ," look daddy, the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit "

It was nice to get back to the Four Seasons and relax. Tonight we are all going to the Italian restaurant for dinner.

Ken is working on pictures. Hopefully get some posted soon.


Sent from my iPhone

You're bringing back such great memories! Loved those hamburgers, but I do remember the bar was loud and filled with smoke.Helen, thanks for your sweet comment. We're looking forward to seeing you in Vancouver. I too am so glad Ngaire and Ken are still taking trips to Egypt. It makes me sad to think abut what has happened to Cairo.
I hope you get the special museum tour on this trip. That is an experience I will never forget. Nor will I forget those heavenly local dates they passed around on the bus.

Photos From Giza - Our private sound & light show.

Giza - Memphis - Sakara:




Our guides with the girls - Hossam, Jill, Joann, Laura, Ngaire, Dorothy, & Henry.


John, Laura, Ken, Ngaire, Frank, Laura, Jill, Dorothy, & Jack.


A parachute jumping competition at Giza.






Smoking a Camel on a Camel.


The young people are so much fun.


The Mena House for lunch.

Ramses III at Memphis.




Not much business today.




Our escort - we call him CIA.


The Step Pyramid at Sakara.

This morning we went to old Cairo, the Citadel, two famous churches and a synagogue. When we entered the Coptic Church a mass was taking place. We stood in the back for about five minutes. The church was full and the priest and Deacons were chanting. A strong smell of incense in the church. It was interesting.

We are having lunch at the Four Seasons today it is a fabulous menu put together for us so should be very nice.

Tonight we took a water taxi for the main journey to the Egyptian museum. It was great to see Cairo from the water it gives a different perspective. It was a little windy but great fun. When we went to debark a boat came up behind us it was local Cairo TV. They wanted footage for tomorrow's nights show of tourists using this new water taxi service. They interviewed Henry and two of us and then pictures of us all and we will be on TV tomorrow night. We are going to watch it on the boat.

Amazing to have the museum completely to ourselves. It makes a person feel pretty special. It is an amazing place. Being able to take pictures in the museum was great. The only place for no pictures was the mummy room and the special room of King Tuts exhibition.

We had an exceptional lunch today we wish we had a camera. Seafood salad was beautifully served with shrimp, scallops and calamari with a great sauce. Then a tasty mushroom risotto. Followed by either salmon or filet of beef and tiramsu for dessert. We were the only ones in the italian restaurant as it was a private lunch. I think that was the biggest filet I have ever been served and cooked perfectly medium rare.

So we split a room service club sandwich and that was all we needed.

Tomorrow LUXOR.

Great pictures as always Ken. Nice small group, which is great for getting around. Ken, I see you took a picture of a beer for me. Enjoy everyone and look forward to following the adventure.

I can't imagine having the museum to yourselves, after we fought such enormous crowds. It's so nice to see Henry and Hossam looking happy and healthy, too.

I will forever be so grateful that we got to make that trip.

I am really enjoying these posts so sad we did not do this trip
Keep the news coming Ngaire!

Photos from Cairo, Egypt:


Mohammad Ali Mosque inside the Citadel.








The group outside the Hanging Church.




Water Taxi to the Cairo Museum.


News crew comes on-board from CBC tv station to interview Henry.


The Cairo Museum.

King Tutankhamun's Throne.


King Tutankhamun's death mask.








Leaving the Museum.

Were you able to see the "bad glue job" that caused so much uproar, on Tut's beard?

What a fantastic day we had yesterday. Easy at the airport in the hands of Hossam who got us all in First Class. When we arrived it was cooler than expected. Straight to the ship where our cabins were ready. Super lunch better than I remember. Instead of doing Luxor in the heat we had a lovely three hour break and went out at 5.00 pm. Perfect temperature and not crowded. Not sure I have been in Luxor at this time before. Started in great light for pictures and then all the lights came on and when we left it was so beautiful with the sunset and lights. As always people are in awe when they see Luxor for the first time.

After we finished at Luxor we went to the Luxor Museum and we were the only people in that museum. Henry suggested we just wander and he would be there for
Questions. It is a small contemporary museum. So different from the Cairo museum. In 1989 when doing some repairs they found 25 statutes. Many almost perfectly preserved. These are in this museum and absolutely amazing. Probably for me more impressive than any of the statues in the Cairo Museum.

Right now we are about to leave for the Valley of the Kings. We have unlimited internet for everyone which is great as they charge $10 for 30 minutes.

Things are going very well we seem to have special experiences wherever we go. Last night at the Luxor Museum we saw a Moslem bride in a stunning sequin white dress and scarf.

Valley of the Kings.

We are so lucky although the forecast was for very hot weather today was the coolest day we have had at the Valley of the Kings. Very few people walked right into the tombs.

We went into Ramses IV first which is very flat and colorful. Not sure I have done this one before. It is right as you start into the tomb area. You get into three tombs with your ticket and different tombs are open each day to choose from. We also buy two extra charge tombs which are the best. So if you have the energy you can do five tombs. The extra charge tombs are king Tut and Ramses VI and we always do those. King Tut tomb is really not that great but of course it is famous. Ramses VI is great. No matter how often I see it the tomb is incredible.

Some wanted to do more tombs and some wanted to shop. So we broke into two groups so everyone was happy.

On the way back we saw an active dig, the statutes of Menom and stopped at a pharmacy . I needed a mirror so Ken bought me a mirror in a little case with a hologram of a little girl opening and closing her eyes. Inside was a tiny comb. It was so cute. Cost the amazing price of twenty cents. Well everyone wanted one so when we come back to Luxor and do the Valley of the Queens we are hoping they like over ten of these for sale.

Back at the ship about to have lunch and sail the Nike this afternoon. LIFE IS GOOD!

Photos from Luxor, Egypt:


Driving by the Temple.


We were there right before sunset.

Next day still in Luxor, start cruising tonight:


Entrance to Valley of the Kings, we had to leave our cameras in the bus.

Our ship the Sonesta Star Goddess and Etfu Temple:


Tour of the bridge.


Galley tour.




Carriage ride to Etfu Temple.






Group photo in front of Horus.






Frank & Joann in the carriage.

Henry.


We continue on to Kom Ombo Temple.

Really enjoying news from the Nile every morning with my coffee. Pics are terrific as always!

Love reading about your adventures and seeing the fabulous photos!! Having to leave your camera in the bus at Valley of the Kings must be something new ? We had no problem taking photos there.

We had a great night onboard on the Egyptian night Laura was stunning. Pictures will follow.

We are now in Aswan. Today we visited the high dam, Philae Temple, the unfinished obelisk. The temperature was fantastic. In fact it has been a blessed trip, no crowds, great weather without the normal heat. Of course our great guide Henry has done everything possible to show us the best of Egypt without killing us with long tours. Ker and Downey and South Sinai always do such a great job with all the arrangements I never have to worry a our logistics.

Tomorrow Abu Simbal.

Loving your posts and pics. Wish I was there, but George is a stick in the mud. Anyway, Jon and I embarked on Navigator today and are having a wonderful time, though not near as exotic as you. But I have a great time wherever.

Oh how I wish we were there with you all. The pictures are amazing! Sounds like great weather too. So jealous sitting here!

This has been and continues to be the most amazing trip! Every day is just incredible. Abu Simbu was very very hot but we powered thru and are now back on the ship relaxing with a whole day tomorrow of no schedule.
Our group is so much fun and we have had lots of laughs. Henry is a fantastic guide, we feel very safe, VIP treatment every where, the ship staff are so wonderful and take great care of us, food has been very good. Ngaire and Ken have done an amazing job and we are so grateful for this wonderful.opportunity.

I loved that trip so much! So glad the Nile 3 group is having such a good trip. It's great to see the photos!

I should clarify......everyone powered thru except wimpy me...I sat under a tree in the shade with Henry instead of doing the second temple.