Egypt, 2005
Visited Egypt in March, 2005. Travelled in the local economy, taking taxis, local buses, 2nd class trains, sleeper train, ferries and of course, walking around. Tourist police everywhere. The people are friendly and welcoming. Cairo reminded me of the traffic of Taipei with the hustle and bustle of New York and even that can't convey the feel of Cairo. Three nights in Cairo at the Movenpick Pyramids, Giza. Visited Saqarra, Dahshur, Abu Sir (Minerva Travel private tour) and Giza Pyramids and also the Egyptian museum (GEM Travel private tour), the Citadel, Mohammed Ali and King Hassan mosques (hotel car for six hours). Overnight sleeper train to Aswan and local bus to Abu Simbel. Did overnight in Abu Simbel at the Seti Hotel and took in the sound and light show and sunrise at the Temple. Overnighted in Aswan at the Isis Corniche and visited the tomb of the princes on the west bank of Aswan. Took taxi from Aswan to Luxor and saw the temples at Kom Oombo and Edfu. Three nights in Luxor at the Sheraton. The best for last, a resort for the tired traveller. Saw the Valley of the Kings, the Tomb of the Nobles, Deir El Medina, Deir El Bahiri (Hatshepsut's mortuary temple), Karnak temple, Luxor museum and a felucca trip to Banana island. My wife and I totally enjoyed our time in Luxor. Met a great taxi driver named Sadick, Taxi number 176, usually outside the Sheraton hotel. Took us around at our agreed upon price and we asked him for no stops at any stores and he complied with our wishes. He knows many people (shopowners, restaurant owners) around the Sheraton neighborhood. Good source of knowledge with a talented personality. We plan to use him again when we go back. Took 9:30am train to Cairo Rameses Station and taxi to Airport.
