Blazing 110 degree heat on the airport parking lot, waiting for the shuttle bus, is how this leg started. From then on it became one of the most enjoyable legs we've had. Naturally, we did the camel ride and pyramid tourist thing, King Tuts tomb and the rest of the artifacts at the Egyptian Museum were a highlight, following by a wade in the Suez Canel, watching massive tankers being piloted through.....that's after a 2 hour drive through the blazing Sahara Desert.
We enjoyed a special experience with our taxi driver after he invited us back to his home to meet with his family for tea and desserts . The desserts were part of our scavange.
We also had a special experience in a downtown restaurant where over an enjoyable cup of strong, turkish coffee with the owner and his grandson, we were invited down into the basement where there was a bar set up especially for the Egyption resisstance movement against their then King Farouk, who was overthrown and exciled in 1954. The resttaurant still had the press for printing leaflets during that period and a secret door behind the bar for escape when police raids occurred.
The same evening, we took part in the night bazaar, which is a maze of shops, literally elbow to elbow, everyone vying for your egyptian pounds. We had some apple flavoured hookah in a cafe that seemed to be so full of people, we wondered where they all came from. We had to purchase a headress and robe, so Erwin could pretend he was the mafia shiek of arabia at our mandatory stop at 6pm the next evening.
Added to this, naturally we had to include a visit to the tomb of the disposed Shah of Iran, who we found out was the brother in law of the exciled King Farouk (that's your history lesson for this blog entry).Sailing on the Nile river and visiting the spot where baby Moses was hidden was an awe inspiring experience.
We are typing this blog from our new location in Athens, Greece, where we will be starting our next leg of this adventure called The Balkins. This will be a 4 day adventure with stops in Athens, Thessoloniki & Macedonnia. From there we move on to Sofia & Plovdiv in Bulgaria and wrapping up in Bucharest, Romania. We are on our own from now untill then including travel and accomodation, with massive bonus points for the team finding the cheapest hotel and actually staying for a nite. This leg is quite daunting and will definately make or break a teams effort for a top finish.
We have found our pace and are really enjoying ourselves. Tonite we had a celebration of sorts with a great Greek dinner and the many obligatory ouzo's. Janice started this blog but I'm finishing it, as she is having a nap before we head out to midnite Easter service. It is Easter Sunday tomorrow and most of this country will be shut down for the day, adding to our challenge of traveling and getting access to our scavenge points.
We will try to keep you all informed as best we can for the next few days depending on internet access, etc.
We want to wish our youngest son a happy 20th birthday....what a milestone, no more teenagers in this family. Dylan, we hope you day is special and can't wait to be home to celebrate properly with you. Hope you're enjoying Rock Band.
We enjoyed a special experience with our taxi driver after he invited us back to his home to meet with his family for tea and desserts . The desserts were part of our scavange.
We also had a special experience in a downtown restaurant where over an enjoyable cup of strong, turkish coffee with the owner and his grandson, we were invited down into the basement where there was a bar set up especially for the Egyption resisstance movement against their then King Farouk, who was overthrown and exciled in 1954. The resttaurant still had the press for printing leaflets during that period and a secret door behind the bar for escape when police raids occurred.
The same evening, we took part in the night bazaar, which is a maze of shops, literally elbow to elbow, everyone vying for your egyptian pounds. We had some apple flavoured hookah in a cafe that seemed to be so full of people, we wondered where they all came from. We had to purchase a headress and robe, so Erwin could pretend he was the mafia shiek of arabia at our mandatory stop at 6pm the next evening.
Added to this, naturally we had to include a visit to the tomb of the disposed Shah of Iran, who we found out was the brother in law of the exciled King Farouk (that's your history lesson for this blog entry).Sailing on the Nile river and visiting the spot where baby Moses was hidden was an awe inspiring experience.
We are typing this blog from our new location in Athens, Greece, where we will be starting our next leg of this adventure called The Balkins. This will be a 4 day adventure with stops in Athens, Thessoloniki & Macedonnia. From there we move on to Sofia & Plovdiv in Bulgaria and wrapping up in Bucharest, Romania. We are on our own from now untill then including travel and accomodation, with massive bonus points for the team finding the cheapest hotel and actually staying for a nite. This leg is quite daunting and will definately make or break a teams effort for a top finish.
We have found our pace and are really enjoying ourselves. Tonite we had a celebration of sorts with a great Greek dinner and the many obligatory ouzo's. Janice started this blog but I'm finishing it, as she is having a nap before we head out to midnite Easter service. It is Easter Sunday tomorrow and most of this country will be shut down for the day, adding to our challenge of traveling and getting access to our scavenge points.
We will try to keep you all informed as best we can for the next few days depending on internet access, etc.
We want to wish our youngest son a happy 20th birthday....what a milestone, no more teenagers in this family. Dylan, we hope you day is special and can't wait to be home to celebrate properly with you. Hope you're enjoying Rock Band.
3 comments:
Hi E & J,
You must be fascinated with all the different sights & cultures in your busy travels!
I would have to agree that taking it slow and finishing in the middle is far better than racing through and not enjoying the moment & experiences of where you are! Think of the time, energy, & lengthy travelling you had to do to get there! I would take in every sight possible! Sounds like you are having a great time!
Your niece, Wybranda
Hello Busy Travellers!!
Wow..What a fascinating trip you're having so far!! You're doing an awesome job with this blog..It is our evenings highlight! 3rd place isnt so bad for people who aren't competing anymore(whatever) How big is the trophy? Good luck and all the best,your sister Irene
Hi... Happy Birthday Dylan... don't have your email or tel# so this'll have to do! :-)
Wow! I am so looking forward to seeing you guys and hearing about all the nitty gritty stuff you experienced along the way! Good Luck getting to your next destinations... Macedonia is supposed to have some really beautiful spots to see... and Romania will be different as well... I am predicting either Iceland or Greenland for an extreme last destination... we'll see!
Love ya,
Jacki
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