We had to get up early because we had to meet on the ship at 7:00 am. We were assigned a bus. Well there must have been at least 50 tour buses. It was a crazy sight but pretty organized. Well we should have been on the road by 7:30 because it takes 3 hours to get to Cairo. Well, our guide announced that there was a delay because of fog. Another 2 hours and we are still sitting there on the bus. She then announces that there was a big accident and we can't go. That the excursion was rescheduled for the next morning but we had to leave at 6:00 am. What a mess that was. We finally got off the bus after 3 hours and decided to go back to the ship. We were all hungry. We could have gone on the tour that we were suppose to take the next day but we decided against it. Lucas was getting sick with a bad cold and cough.
We decided to go swimming. It was probably in the low 70's and the pool was heated and there were hot tubs. Jason got a picture of the Library and the kids in the pools.
One of Kate's friends family had the same idea. They had a good time.
So the next morning we got up early and boarded the bus. I forgot to mention that tourism is very important in Egypt and they take it very seriously. For our protection, each bus had a security officer and we had a police escort. The buses had to travel together as a caravan. There were quite a few checkpoints along the way.There was fog again this morning and they kept saying it wasn't typical. We think it was a mixture of fog and smog. We didn't see much on our 3 hour drive to Cairo but we had a new tour guide and she talked nonstop but I don't know how many people were listening because everyone was still half asleep.
After we got to Cairo and we had been driving around for awhile, the tour guide announced that the pyrmids were on our right. We all looked out and we couldn't see a thing. We parked and she was telling us which direction each pyrmid was and the whole bus broke out in laughter. We were in the middle of these "Great Pyrmids" and we couldn't see them. We had 40 minutes to walk around and we couldn't see anything!
Jason bought 10 postcards for 1 Euro and we held one up to show that was what was suppose to be behind us. We just couldn't believe it. 
Then we headed over to the Sphinx. We were thrilled to at least be able to see it. There was still some fog but at least we knew it was really there.
I had no idea it was so big. It was beautiful.
I gave it a kiss for good luck!
When we left the Sphinx, we could just barely see the pyrmids in the background but they didn't show up in the pictures. So then we headed to the Sakara desert for our jeep and camel rides. The jeep ride was a bit silly but fun. We saw some other pyrmids. 
The camel ride was funny. Jason didn't really want to do this excursion but he was out voted. Well his reasoning was confirmed when his camel sprayed pee all over his back and the boys. The smell was awful but he was a good sport. 
We finally could see an oasis and knew we were close to lunch. 
We went to a "Country Club" for a very nice buffet lunch. Jason was at least able to wash out his shirt.
After lunch we went to a Papyrus demonstration and a "tourist trap". Then we headed back to the ship and at least got a picture of the pyrmids from afar.
I had mentioned that there was a security guard on the bus. He was very nice. For some reason or another, he was always very close by to us when we got off the bus. He took several of our pictures and he helped us with Katelyn and her chair. He also told us where to go to get some good pictures and stuff. It was like he was our own private security guard and he carried a pretty big weapon. I can't believe Jason got a picture of it. 
We arrived back at the ship at about 7:3o pm. This is a picture of the security guard with Kate. I felt sorry for him and all the other guides and security guards because they all lived in Cairo and had to take that 3 hour ride back home.
Overall, we had a good time. However, I don't think any of us will be heading back there any time soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment