Sunday, 29 November 2009

My 30th Birthday Week in Egypt!!! - Nov 2009

Egypt is a truly magical! The pictures can't capture how special this place is.

Day 1:

Trip started in Cairo and we flew in the day before. What a crazy place!

First stop on the tour...Zhoser's step pyramid - constructed in 27BC.



Pyramids of Giza and the the lion-headed Sphinx.

That night we travelled by sleeper train down to Aswan (14hrs).

Day 2

Lake Nasser (the world's largest artificial lake) and a boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple (4th century BC)


Aswan markets

Day 3 - My Birthday!!!

My birthday started with a 3.30am wake up call to catch a flight to Abu Simbel - definitely the highlight of my trip. We raced to the temple and our group was the only group inside the temple which was spine tingling. No photos were allowed inside but I did sneak a couple.

We started our Nile cruise on a 5 star cruise ship - much better option than a feluca! There were some fantastic views and sunsets on the Nile.

In the evening we arrived in Kom Ombo and visited the Temple of Kom Ombo.




Following our temple visit the champagne was cracked and the party started :) Followed by Shisha at a local cafe.


Day 4
Temple of Horus at Edfu.

More pics from the cruise boat as we cruised to Luxor.

Day 5

The Temple of Karnak - huge! Over 1.5km by 800m!!!

Views from our hotel balcony in Luxor.

Luxor Temple.






Day 6
On our way to Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens... unfortunately no photos were allowed at Valley of Kings/Queens.

Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

Then it was back on the train for 10hrs back to Cairo... unfortunately we weren't on the sleeper train on the way back - it was a long night.

Day 7

It was then onto the museum in Cairo. I am not one for museums but I loved it! Saw mummified animals and humans - still in amazing condition, King Tutankhamen's solid gold funerary mask and much much more - mind boggling! Then it was onto the markets in the evening to touch up on my haggling skills.

Day 8

Last day and time to go home :(

Great trip and totally recommend it! So next trip to Cologne and then back to Sydney for Christmas - YAY!!!

xxx