Well Egypt and Jordan are both behind me now, I'm even in a different time zone. Simon has left to go experience the country and I'm waiting 6 hours for my connecting flight to Beijing, guess I'm all alone now, time for another adventure let the good times roll.
Until I reach the orient, I'm out.
Mandz
Friday, October 29, 2010
Petra and Wadi Rum
well haven't I been slack, actually it got to do with us changing plans in Jordan. Originally our plan was to spend one night in Aqaba this turned into 5 days. It's one of those things really, you got to be spontaneous whilst travelling I say. So anyway, I can't remember what my last blog was all about, but I think I told you all about our epic journey via ferry from Egypt to Jordan. Well our new friend Osama offered to take us to Petra on the Monday and then to Wadi Rum to experience some real Bedoiun cooking. However our plan to leave early 8pm became a 11.30am departure, this was because of a few factors:
1. The three of us were out late the night before like getting back to the hotel at midnightish (I can't remember it's actually Thursday now).
2. We were checking our of Darna 'HELL' Hotel, and move into the Classic Hotel which was a thousand times better; hot water, soft beds instead of wood with a mattress protector, TV (at the best of times) and it was in the middle of the city.
3. We had to go shopping in the market places for Chicken, Vegetables and the staple food over here PITA bread, to take to the Bedoiun to cook for us. Now this was an experience in itself, buying chicken pretty much from the street and then having the guy hack it up into pieces for us..umm..interesting.
So finally we made it off on our journey, toward Petra, about 3 hours later we made it to this amazing ancient city of the Nabeteans. Petra is even more amazing second time around and was also fantastic that the temp. was great just and surprisingly not too many tourists floating about. Then having coffee almost at the end of the Petra area was awesome watching the sun flicking lights of colour of the canyons, it was beautiful. From here we headed back south along the Desert Higway toward Wadi Rum, now before I tell the next part of the story I want to make sure our parents know that we are fine and felt almost 100% safe most of the time.
So it's dusk, well it's dark enough that you should have your lights on while driving, but at this very pinacle point of time we learn the car we are in hasn't actually got lights apart from high beam, which is blinding every driver on the otherside of the road. So everytime a car is approaching us Osama turns the light off and drives in the flippin dark, I don't know how but I managed to have clean underpants at the end of this journey. Yes it was an unexpected adventure, one I could probably live with not having again. Having arrived safely at the Bedoiun camp area they began to prepare our food and then cook it in the ground, it was about 8pm when we got there and it takes about 1.5 - 2 hours to cook, can you guess what time we had dinner? It was about 11pm, it was different eating under the open night sky with a full moon, but without sounding corny it was magically. I kinda felt a little like Lawerance of Arabia, it was special and I say when you go to Jordan you must experience, see it for yourself.
well without overloading you all, I'm going to wrap up this particular post and begin on the next one.
Peace Out,
Mandz
1. The three of us were out late the night before like getting back to the hotel at midnightish (I can't remember it's actually Thursday now).
2. We were checking our of Darna 'HELL' Hotel, and move into the Classic Hotel which was a thousand times better; hot water, soft beds instead of wood with a mattress protector, TV (at the best of times) and it was in the middle of the city.
3. We had to go shopping in the market places for Chicken, Vegetables and the staple food over here PITA bread, to take to the Bedoiun to cook for us. Now this was an experience in itself, buying chicken pretty much from the street and then having the guy hack it up into pieces for us..umm..interesting.
So finally we made it off on our journey, toward Petra, about 3 hours later we made it to this amazing ancient city of the Nabeteans. Petra is even more amazing second time around and was also fantastic that the temp. was great just and surprisingly not too many tourists floating about. Then having coffee almost at the end of the Petra area was awesome watching the sun flicking lights of colour of the canyons, it was beautiful. From here we headed back south along the Desert Higway toward Wadi Rum, now before I tell the next part of the story I want to make sure our parents know that we are fine and felt almost 100% safe most of the time.
So it's dusk, well it's dark enough that you should have your lights on while driving, but at this very pinacle point of time we learn the car we are in hasn't actually got lights apart from high beam, which is blinding every driver on the otherside of the road. So everytime a car is approaching us Osama turns the light off and drives in the flippin dark, I don't know how but I managed to have clean underpants at the end of this journey. Yes it was an unexpected adventure, one I could probably live with not having again. Having arrived safely at the Bedoiun camp area they began to prepare our food and then cook it in the ground, it was about 8pm when we got there and it takes about 1.5 - 2 hours to cook, can you guess what time we had dinner? It was about 11pm, it was different eating under the open night sky with a full moon, but without sounding corny it was magically. I kinda felt a little like Lawerance of Arabia, it was special and I say when you go to Jordan you must experience, see it for yourself.
well without overloading you all, I'm going to wrap up this particular post and begin on the next one.
Peace Out,
Mandz
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Heading to Petra and Wadi Rum
Today we're heading to Petra and then Wadi Rum. Our new friend Osama is taking us, which means saving on transport, because that costs a fortune and we are going to have a local taking us through who speaks the language.
I also bought a new camera last night at a bargain price. It was sucky not having a camera for a week darn you Red Sea - everyone just note when a camera says it's water proof it might not be Red Sea proof. Lesson learnt.
Well I'm sure I'll have photos up shortly after our adventure, so keep an eye out for them.
Until then, take it easy
Mandz
I also bought a new camera last night at a bargain price. It was sucky not having a camera for a week darn you Red Sea - everyone just note when a camera says it's water proof it might not be Red Sea proof. Lesson learnt.
Well I'm sure I'll have photos up shortly after our adventure, so keep an eye out for them.
Until then, take it easy
Mandz
G'day from Jordan
So after an eventful 15 hours we've made it to Jordan. Actually let me rephrase that, after a tedious 15 hours we've made it to Jordan. We arrived at the Ferry port and purchased our tickets at 10.30am as per the lovely tour guides instructions, and then the fun begins! Our Ferry was due to leave at 2pm that afternoon, we figure waiting three hours itsn't to hard since we've faced lengthy travel times already and we now fully understand Egpytian time (add about 1 - 1.5 hours to anything planned or told to you). So it's 1.30pm, Praise the Lord they are ushering us onto the bus that takes us from the departure area to the ferry, only to get all aboard and then the bus just stops working, for crying out loud, my butt is sore from sitting on these awful timber plank seats, we are motioned off the bus and we have no idea what the heck is going on because no one speaks english and Simon and I don't speak arabic. But alas I meet a knight in shinning armour by the name of Osama, who speak good english and is Jordanian, who informs us that the ferry is broken down and that they need to fix it before we go grrr!!! So anyway we end up chatting to Osama, about the general stuff that people talk about, family, Australia, life, dreams etc it proves to be a bonding moment, then at 6pm we are finally ushered back onto the buses, and driven to the ferry. But the ferry doesn't offically leave until 10.30pm, twelve hours after our arrival to the port. We are on the slow ferry, which means it'll take about 4 hours to get to Aqaba, Jordan. So Simon, Osama and I settle in for the trip, we share some dinner and then it's snooze time. We finally arrive into Jordan at 3.30am about 10 hours later then we had expected, thank God I started talking to Osama because he rang our hotel and told them what was going on and that we would be late (just not this late), he even came along with us to the hotel in the taxi. We did manage to get into our hotel and grab a few zzz's, just in time for a fun filled day in Aqaba. Today Osama is going to take us out for dinner the Jordanian way YAY great food is install for us. But right now I'm planning to grab a deck chair, sit by the pool which is right across the road from the beautiful Red Sea and read a little of Persuasion by Jane Austen.
Until you hear from me again, Peace Out
Mandz
Until you hear from me again, Peace Out
Mandz
Friday, October 22, 2010
So this Chapter is finishing...
You know whenever I travel I manage to met some amazing people, it's probably one of the reason I love travelling so much. It's also hard to describe to people the experiences I've had because in all honesty there are no words thats can describe what takes place. Tomorrow we leve Egypt but there is something that will continue to resinate within me for a long time to come, I don't what it is but there is something. I've enjoyed all the history that I've learnt and visiting all these amazing places but more to that I've loved meeting some amazing people. For instance mohammed from the store we bought our papyrus from, I think it was such a privilage to be able to seat in his store for a number of hours just chatting, and then having him play photographer, just thinking about him and his smile brings such joy to me, and then there's Edward, such a free spirit quite literally going whereever his heart desires and having an adventure. Next is Allira, a Brisbane girl who's been working in London and now is travelling around Europe, it's continues to baffle me how I manage to met people from Brisbane all the way on the other side of world, and it's like we just click right at the moment, as if we've been like long friends, I guess God works in mysterious ways really, because this has happened before and no doubt it will happen again, and last but not least there is Ahmed my Big Brother. I don't even know where to begin in regards to this friendship because it's so unique, but I can say that I've made a life long friend in him. Ahmed has a heart that is so geniue and caring, and I can only hope that more people in the world would get to met someone like him, because if they did I think the western world would perceive the Islam nations in a very different light at least I can only hope as much.
So on a different note, Dahab has been just amazing and relaxing. Sleeping in, snorkeling, swimming, eating dinner along the Red sea, it's been a tough holiday so far... but alas someones got to do it, so why not me? I think I really will miss Egypt, it's like I've just scratched the surface of this fantastic country and now it's time to go. One of the great things is I can always come back shaa allah.
Until I'm in Jordan take care friends,
Mandz.
So on a different note, Dahab has been just amazing and relaxing. Sleeping in, snorkeling, swimming, eating dinner along the Red sea, it's been a tough holiday so far... but alas someones got to do it, so why not me? I think I really will miss Egypt, it's like I've just scratched the surface of this fantastic country and now it's time to go. One of the great things is I can always come back shaa allah.
Until I'm in Jordan take care friends,
Mandz.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Mount Sinai
I'm sitting beneath a canopy of stars almost at the top on Mt Sinai, can I say that it's amazing! I wasn't really expecting this. The climb is really tough, I made it about a third of the way and then my knee gave out (darn knee), so I rode a camel for the remainder of the way up and that was rather special, I'm growing somewhat fond if camels I think I might need to invest in one when get home, sorry Rupert I might be changing my mode of transport. The walk down was rather intense and required a lot of concentration, I slipped a few times and thought this is it I'm going down but I saved myself YAY. It was a big day we left at 11pm to drive out to Sinai and then started the climb at 12am, we reached the summit at 4am, then waited until 5.30 for the sun to rise and it was worth every minute of pain and being tired, at least I can say I've down it. I'm planning to relax now I think I earned it, and then it's out to dinner along the Red Sea.
Until then, keep it real,
Mandz
Until then, keep it real,
Mandz
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Dahab
Dahab a city by the sea, it pretty much is the Great Barrier Reef of Egypt. We arrived late yesterday afternoon, so we arrived to a small coastal city in full swing, we were straving so first thing was food, I had this great fish thing (I plan to eat a lot of seafood here). Following dinner, Allira and I (Allira and Tanya are two girls we've befriended) decided we wanted our own snorkel set so we could do some snorkelling, we managed to haggle a them down from 250LE to 50LE, so we were very proud of ourselves. Todays agenda looks like, Snorkelling, then lunch, a bit of shopping, a nap, go for a walk through the town. I've got a early morning or late night depending how you look at it. We leave for Mout Sinai at 11pm, it takes three hours to get there from here, then it's a 2-3 hours hike up in the dark to watch the sunset, I'm really looking forward to this, it's one of the things I really wanted to do, maybe I'll come down with my own 10 commandments. I just hope it's not all super spiritual up there because we've told a lot of pilgrims go up there, but I'll let you all know how it goes.
Until then, I'm going swimming..
Mandz out.
Until then, I'm going swimming..
Mandz out.
Goodbye Cairo
Well a lot has happened since I last posted and dont for a moment think I've forgotten to update you all, it's rather a lack of time and sleep and all the travelling we've been doing. We caught the 8 hours train back from Luxor to Cairo and you can't really sleep on a train well at least not this one. We were rudely woken up at 2.30am from a man shouting for our tickets (not a very pleasent expereince), the same guy then proceeded to sit outside of our cabin on the train and do some paperwork and count his money, the six of us in the cabin were all a little freaked out, but needless to say we survived, I think we all slept with one eye open from that moment on. By the time we arrived in Cairo it was lunch time and all I really wanted was to go to the hotel and freshen up a little, but we couldn't check in. So we dumped our bags and went to a perfum place, were I got a head spin from all the smells, it was somewhat interesting though.
The evening saw us catching up with Ahmed one final time. Im truly going to miss him, you know when you meet someone and something just clicks well thats how it is with him. I think I've been very privillaged to have met someone here that I can just talk, I guess apart of travelling is meeting new people and creating new friendships that can potentially survive any distance, I'd like to think I've created a number of new friends, call me someone who is willing to break down barriers and elimnate the sterotype that has been force feed to me.
Well it's late, 1am. So I think it's bed time considering our bus leaves for Dahab at 7am and I know I'll hardly sleep on the bus (they offically are my least favourite transport).
Mandz, nodding off.
The evening saw us catching up with Ahmed one final time. Im truly going to miss him, you know when you meet someone and something just clicks well thats how it is with him. I think I've been very privillaged to have met someone here that I can just talk, I guess apart of travelling is meeting new people and creating new friendships that can potentially survive any distance, I'd like to think I've created a number of new friends, call me someone who is willing to break down barriers and elimnate the sterotype that has been force feed to me.
Well it's late, 1am. So I think it's bed time considering our bus leaves for Dahab at 7am and I know I'll hardly sleep on the bus (they offically are my least favourite transport).
Mandz, nodding off.
Boy it's Hot !!
There is only one word to describe Luxor and that's HOT!. We arrived late last night on the cruise boat, spent the night on board and then disembarked in the morning and made our way to the hotel. The temperature at 4pm is a warm 39 degrees celsius and I feel like I'm cooking alive, not don't get me wrong I don't mind the heat but this is just HOT, the breeze is hot, the sun is hot and radiates off the pavements and slaps you in the face, it's just plain hot. Despite all this is still fantastic, I just have to remember to keep slopping on the sunscreens otherwise I'm going to come home all tanned and Egyptian coloured (not like thats a bad thing, hehe). We caught a horse and buggy ride today which was different and fun, the guy let me seat up front with him and take the reins, so I was incharge - awesome! The afternoon saw us heading out and looking in a bazaar, and at more papyrus. I just love the look of papyrus drawings they are so different to anything back at home, actually I'm just loving all this traditional Egyptian art, the stories are all so fasinating. My favouriet picture would have to be the story depicting the love between King Tut and his wife, it's quite vivd and intriguing (if I can find a picture of it I'll add it to my fb photos). The evening saw us heading out the Luxor Temple, actually before I go futher I should let you know that Luxor was considered the countries capital, hence why there are so many temples and the Valley of Kings and Queens and the place they found King Tuts tomb. Luxor is located approx, ???Km south of Cairo and pretty much right along the Nile. Ok, so sidenote has been noted. The Temple that we went to visit was by far andimpressive one. It is created by three temples, the first one was built by King Tuts father (name escapes me right now), then King Tut built a a second temple in front and finally King Rameses II built a third and final temple at the front, all in all it's a rather large complex and has some of the biggest pillars that I've seen to date they are rather wide and large. It was nice seeing the temples in the night with lights all around, though it was still incrediably warm at 6pm. Then it was off to dinner, and a nice cold beer to finish the night. Tomorrow again sees an early morning, we are heading the valley of King and Queens before it gets to hot, no doubt this will be everyones plan here in Egypt, then I plan to return to the hotel in the air con and then it's time to catch the train back to Cairo.
Until then, take care and keep cool
Mandz is outta here...
Until then, take care and keep cool
Mandz is outta here...
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Waiting...
Well folks we are waiting for the train back to Cairo, and then it's a fun journey of 8 hours in these very comfy seats. I've got another blog to upload but that'll need to wait until tomorrow. I guess it's just a quick blog to let you know that YES I'm alive and there are many stories to be told.
Until then... Choo choo
Mandy is out.
Until then... Choo choo
Mandy is out.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Cruisin on the Nile...
I'm sitting up on the deck of our cruise boat 'The Nile Sun'. My expectations of a 5 stars cuise were not met as earlier predicted it is more of the 3 star, but nonetheless its not too bad, they do have some great food on board.
I'm pretty sure our room is directly above the engine room, because last night as we started to cruise our entire room begun to shake and vibrate terribly. Our room only has 1 life vest for the two of us and so far I've only spotted 2 life boats, so I can't help but feel like I'm on the Titanic, but rest assured we won't be hitting a ice berg, that much I can be certain of.
This morning saw us docked at Kom Ombo, where this amazing duo temple is built. In my opinion it has been the best preserved temple that we've seen so far. This temple is unique because it's dedicated to two gods Sobeck & Haroeis the Crocidile and Falcon gods. It also has a lot of Roman-Greek artichieture, it made for a fascinating look. One thing that continues to surprise me here is how well perserved the pictures are on all the columns and walls. I also wonder how they originally made them, all the pictures are etched about 2cm deep into the rock and then painted and in some areas the paint still remains from thousands of years ago.
Well I'm getting surrounded by a bunch of seniors from America up here, which is my cue to head toward a deck chair, grab a drink and just relax until we reach our next destination.
Until Luxor,
Mandz...keeping it real.
I'm pretty sure our room is directly above the engine room, because last night as we started to cruise our entire room begun to shake and vibrate terribly. Our room only has 1 life vest for the two of us and so far I've only spotted 2 life boats, so I can't help but feel like I'm on the Titanic, but rest assured we won't be hitting a ice berg, that much I can be certain of.
This morning saw us docked at Kom Ombo, where this amazing duo temple is built. In my opinion it has been the best preserved temple that we've seen so far. This temple is unique because it's dedicated to two gods Sobeck & Haroeis the Crocidile and Falcon gods. It also has a lot of Roman-Greek artichieture, it made for a fascinating look. One thing that continues to surprise me here is how well perserved the pictures are on all the columns and walls. I also wonder how they originally made them, all the pictures are etched about 2cm deep into the rock and then painted and in some areas the paint still remains from thousands of years ago.
Well I'm getting surrounded by a bunch of seniors from America up here, which is my cue to head toward a deck chair, grab a drink and just relax until we reach our next destination.
Until Luxor,
Mandz...keeping it real.
Abu Simbel...
Today we made our way to Abu Simbel, now don't tell anyone but I found it rather disapointing. There were literally thousands of tourists and waking up at 2.30am to go visit a sight is too intense. It might be odd to say but the thing I really did enjoy about Abu Simbel was Lake Nassar, the worlds largest man made lake. After pushing and shoving my way through the hordes of people into the temple I made my way out towards the lake and took some time to just sit and relax. Holidays don't have to be all about doing things 24/7 , I on the other hand like to just relax. Prehaps because my life is full of things to do, this is my chance to actually relax and do as little as possible while at the same time squeezing in some sightseeing.
I'm also getting to the stage where Im begining to dislike catching buses and trains and the thought continues to play on my mind that we need to catch a train back to Cairo on Friday night- 8 hours, then a bus from Cairo to Dahab on Sunday 8 hours, plus the ferry from Egypt to Jordan at the end of next week, and the bus making our way up Jordan. Oh well got to think of the happy things, like drugs to make me sleep on those journeys.
Well I got a cruise boat to go catch, apparently its 5 stars but I haven't got big hopes for that.
Until next time,
Mandz, curising up the Nile...
I'm also getting to the stage where Im begining to dislike catching buses and trains and the thought continues to play on my mind that we need to catch a train back to Cairo on Friday night- 8 hours, then a bus from Cairo to Dahab on Sunday 8 hours, plus the ferry from Egypt to Jordan at the end of next week, and the bus making our way up Jordan. Oh well got to think of the happy things, like drugs to make me sleep on those journeys.
Well I got a cruise boat to go catch, apparently its 5 stars but I haven't got big hopes for that.
Until next time,
Mandz, curising up the Nile...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Train to Aswan
There is only one way to describe the train ride last night - MEMORABLE. While it wasn't the worst train I've ever been on, it clearly wasn't the best for a 14 hour trip, but nonetheless I survived and will be better prepared for the trip back north from Luxor to Cairo on Friday. We arrived late so we didn't do much apart from crash on our beds and have little nap (I didn't sleep a wink on the train, there were six of us in this little cabin with all our bags everywhere). We did this eveing go for dinner at a tradition Nubein place and have some traditional Egyptian food - Yummo I say. It's a early night now, I plan to be fast asleep by 10pm, we've got a early start 2.30am for our trip down to Abu Simbel. We need to leave early to be apart of the police convoy to protect us, it shall be fun. We star our Nile cruise tomorrow when we get back so that shall be a lot of fun.
Until next time, Keep it Real.
Mandz
Until next time, Keep it Real.
Mandz
Getting Up Close and Personal
So today was one of the days that I have been looking forward to, getting up close and personal with the pyramids and a visit to the grand Egyptian Museum. So off to the museum we went and there was this total nerd within me unleashed, I could spend days in there and still not have gotten enough of a fix to statisfy me. There is so much history embedded within this country and I can't help but feel some of it is wasted and left to sit in a corner collecting dust. I have to be honest and say that the Tutumkumun Tomb would have been one of my favourites. It was so impressive and this guy just purely loved gold, so we have something in common. But to be serious, he had 4 coffins each laid within the other and each covered in gold, then the coffin was placed within with a buriel chamber and he had four of these aswell, the last being as big as my bedroom and this is all contained within a larger room and filled with his prized posessions that he would need in the afterlife, my favourite toy that he took, three chariots each as amazing as the next.
While at the Museum I got surrounded by a bunch of little girls who were very curious as to who I was and where I was from, I love meeting all the little girls here, they are so fascinated by me, and they constantly call me beautiful - it makes me feel so special. All the kids are so open here, they all want to know your name and were you are from, it's little things like that, that make home so different. Everyone back home is so self minded, I myself admit to being like that. I don't spend enough time looking around my world and just getting to know people and greet them, it does make me feel a little sad but I guess this is were I make a decision to change.
Our next big stop for the day was the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. So as you are all probably aware I'm a HUGE stargate fan and the show in the begining was primarily based on ancient egyptian mythodology, which in turn means I became interested in Egypt (no surprise I'm a nerd). So I thought the pyramids looked impressive from a distance, well when we got up close I almost died and went to heaven. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd actually be standing in front of a pyramid in Egypt (though I seem to surprise myself a lot). Just the engineering and construction of these things is mind boggling, I would give anything to be able to go back in time and just witness how they made. It was even more exciting when we went into the second pyramid, YEP that's right we went inside. The idea of going into the middle of a pyramid would freak a lot of people out but not me, I was busting with exciting and literially ran down the ramp in record time,I just had to remember the that the corridor changes in height from 80cm to 1m and goes smack into the middle (I can't remember how far right now), and this leads to a tomb which is located 100m from the top and 100m from the base. The walls are almost 100% smooth which is a feat in itself and the tomb room is quite large, with a high ceiling which has a air shaft inside. It's hard to describe without you actually having been inside, unfortuantely they don't let us take cameras inside which is a bother, they seem to have a bit of issue with cameras in some places. But the memories will stick with me for as long as I remember and that's got to count for something.
Next stop was the Sphinx, so for those of you that don't know the Sphinx was built to be a gaurdian of the Pharohs that were burried on the Giza Plateau pyramids, well thats the theroy. No one actually knows what happens to it's nose or if it ever had one, regardless it's a icon and I don't think there are many people that have never heard of the Sphinx.
To wrap up the day we backed our stuff and headed for the train station where we were to embrake on a 14 hours train ride down to Aswan, I'll you know how it went.
Peace Out
Mandz
While at the Museum I got surrounded by a bunch of little girls who were very curious as to who I was and where I was from, I love meeting all the little girls here, they are so fascinated by me, and they constantly call me beautiful - it makes me feel so special. All the kids are so open here, they all want to know your name and were you are from, it's little things like that, that make home so different. Everyone back home is so self minded, I myself admit to being like that. I don't spend enough time looking around my world and just getting to know people and greet them, it does make me feel a little sad but I guess this is were I make a decision to change.
Our next big stop for the day was the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. So as you are all probably aware I'm a HUGE stargate fan and the show in the begining was primarily based on ancient egyptian mythodology, which in turn means I became interested in Egypt (no surprise I'm a nerd). So I thought the pyramids looked impressive from a distance, well when we got up close I almost died and went to heaven. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd actually be standing in front of a pyramid in Egypt (though I seem to surprise myself a lot). Just the engineering and construction of these things is mind boggling, I would give anything to be able to go back in time and just witness how they made. It was even more exciting when we went into the second pyramid, YEP that's right we went inside. The idea of going into the middle of a pyramid would freak a lot of people out but not me, I was busting with exciting and literially ran down the ramp in record time,I just had to remember the that the corridor changes in height from 80cm to 1m and goes smack into the middle (I can't remember how far right now), and this leads to a tomb which is located 100m from the top and 100m from the base. The walls are almost 100% smooth which is a feat in itself and the tomb room is quite large, with a high ceiling which has a air shaft inside. It's hard to describe without you actually having been inside, unfortuantely they don't let us take cameras inside which is a bother, they seem to have a bit of issue with cameras in some places. But the memories will stick with me for as long as I remember and that's got to count for something.
Next stop was the Sphinx, so for those of you that don't know the Sphinx was built to be a gaurdian of the Pharohs that were burried on the Giza Plateau pyramids, well thats the theroy. No one actually knows what happens to it's nose or if it ever had one, regardless it's a icon and I don't think there are many people that have never heard of the Sphinx.
To wrap up the day we backed our stuff and headed for the train station where we were to embrake on a 14 hours train ride down to Aswan, I'll you know how it went.
Peace Out
Mandz
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A evening out and about
What a fantastic way to end the day. This evening we caught up with a guy Ahmed who we met in Alexandria. Before you ask yes Ahmed is a muslim and to be honest he is more lovely and geniune then most people I've crossed paths with and I consider it a privillage to have met him and spent such precious little time with him.
So this evening we hopped in a taxi and made our way to El Fasseh (downtown) to met with Ahmed. We had inquired about getting pappyrus with our names, Ahmed said he found a store near by that could help us with our desire, and this is where our adeventure begins. The next 2.5 hours was spent in this little dingy store (if you can call it that) with the store owner Mohammed (who was such a character, this guy had me laughing so much and he didn't speak english)looking at papyrus pictures, talking about Egypt, learning a little arabic, and talking religion. I was particularly interested in learning more about Islam because I think the west has created this image that we are meant to adhere to and just accept based on no knowledge of what the religion is really based upon. Both Ahmed and Mohammed were very open about Islam and we spoke in great detail and length about it. It was interesting to learn that they don't veiw christianity as wrong however they call us christians their brothers and sisters with the same god. Nonetheless I was very ingrossed and I think I now have a better understanding of Islam and in general the people that practise it. I think too many people have jumped to conclusions without actually knowing facts and sitting down and talking to a practicing muslim.
So we bid our farewell to Mohammed and went for a little walk down the street, and found a little cafe to sit and chat (I felt like I was at home having coffee with the girls, BTW they have some of the best coffee here!). Within 30 seconds of sitting down about 10 people were in our faces trying to sell us stuff, we are kind of used this now however Ahmed found it very unfimiliar along with all the stares that we got, we asured him he'll get used to very quickly when out with us. So again for the next hours we sat there talking and getting interupted by vendors, until this one particular guy comes up to us selling stuff and when Ahmed turned him away and called him Osama Bin Laden, Ahmed told us this was the norm for him, that his own people won't allow him to visit places like the pyramids, and tourist locations because he has the sterotypical look of a terroist. How incrediable sad that not only the west has this view on people based upon their looks and but also the middle east, I asked him if he had contemplated shaving his beard off and he said yes but when a friend of his did that they throw him in jail, because it was a sign he was about to 'do something'. I guess in conclusion to anyone who might stumble upon this entry I want to say, don't judge anyone based upon their looks, culture or ethinicity, instead get to know them, learn about them and make your decision based on what you learn.
Until next time,
Mandz is off to see a pyramid of two, and hopefull not fall down one.
If there are any spelling and grammar mistake sorry, I'm typing this at 5.30am and uploading while eating my breakfast.
So this evening we hopped in a taxi and made our way to El Fasseh (downtown) to met with Ahmed. We had inquired about getting pappyrus with our names, Ahmed said he found a store near by that could help us with our desire, and this is where our adeventure begins. The next 2.5 hours was spent in this little dingy store (if you can call it that) with the store owner Mohammed (who was such a character, this guy had me laughing so much and he didn't speak english)looking at papyrus pictures, talking about Egypt, learning a little arabic, and talking religion. I was particularly interested in learning more about Islam because I think the west has created this image that we are meant to adhere to and just accept based on no knowledge of what the religion is really based upon. Both Ahmed and Mohammed were very open about Islam and we spoke in great detail and length about it. It was interesting to learn that they don't veiw christianity as wrong however they call us christians their brothers and sisters with the same god. Nonetheless I was very ingrossed and I think I now have a better understanding of Islam and in general the people that practise it. I think too many people have jumped to conclusions without actually knowing facts and sitting down and talking to a practicing muslim.
So we bid our farewell to Mohammed and went for a little walk down the street, and found a little cafe to sit and chat (I felt like I was at home having coffee with the girls, BTW they have some of the best coffee here!). Within 30 seconds of sitting down about 10 people were in our faces trying to sell us stuff, we are kind of used this now however Ahmed found it very unfimiliar along with all the stares that we got, we asured him he'll get used to very quickly when out with us. So again for the next hours we sat there talking and getting interupted by vendors, until this one particular guy comes up to us selling stuff and when Ahmed turned him away and called him Osama Bin Laden, Ahmed told us this was the norm for him, that his own people won't allow him to visit places like the pyramids, and tourist locations because he has the sterotypical look of a terroist. How incrediable sad that not only the west has this view on people based upon their looks and but also the middle east, I asked him if he had contemplated shaving his beard off and he said yes but when a friend of his did that they throw him in jail, because it was a sign he was about to 'do something'. I guess in conclusion to anyone who might stumble upon this entry I want to say, don't judge anyone based upon their looks, culture or ethinicity, instead get to know them, learn about them and make your decision based on what you learn.
Until next time,
Mandz is off to see a pyramid of two, and hopefull not fall down one.
If there are any spelling and grammar mistake sorry, I'm typing this at 5.30am and uploading while eating my breakfast.
The Nile, Camels and Pyramids...
Had a great time last night, we wanted to go see the Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids but alas they were cancelled because Andrea Bocelli is performing there for 10 days (come on I say). So instead we met up with our new friend Edward who we met in Alex. and decided to go on a Nile Dinner Cruise, which to say the least was interesting. Let me try set the scene for you - Us (Simon, Edward and myself) are on board this boat on the nile, theres 20 odd guys from Iceland, two older couples, two older ladies, and 4 guys from Thailand - yep it's tourist central right about now. So we are eating dinner there is a guy singing old love songs and the three of us can't stop laughing, it was one of those romantic moments that was just plan weird. The atmosphere changed quite quickly when the bellydancer came out, and with her every single male that was on that boat was in the dining room (drolling in some capacity), following her this traditional arabic dressed male comes out dancing, I think he is meant to be the male version of a belly dancer but it just wasn't working for me, prehaps because he kept winking at Edward...ODD! So it turned out our early night turned into a late one, in bed by 12.30am giving us 4 hours sleep before our Sunrise Camel ride.
We woke up at 4.30am to head over to Giza where we were to climb on the back of a camel, and trek towards the Great Pyramids and watch the sunrise. This I have to say has been one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had, the sun is rising behind us as we head toward the Pyramids. We maneuver our camels through all the back alleys and at last we see a slight glimpse of the pyramids and then they are gone, only to reappear moments later much bigger then I could have possible imagined. We head toward a sand dune in the Sahara Desert (yes, thats right the Sahara Desert) over looking the pyramids, here we let our camels rest while we get camera happy. With the wind blowing all around the desert it's rather cold this early in the morning, but its beauty is riviting and breath taking, I couldn't help but just sit there and ponder how lucky I am that I'm here and just basking in the glory that is before me.
Tomorrow we plan to go the Meusem and back the Pyramids but this time we are getting right up next to them, and then it's off on the overnight train travelling south to Aswan.
Until next time, ma'a salaama
We woke up at 4.30am to head over to Giza where we were to climb on the back of a camel, and trek towards the Great Pyramids and watch the sunrise. This I have to say has been one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had, the sun is rising behind us as we head toward the Pyramids. We maneuver our camels through all the back alleys and at last we see a slight glimpse of the pyramids and then they are gone, only to reappear moments later much bigger then I could have possible imagined. We head toward a sand dune in the Sahara Desert (yes, thats right the Sahara Desert) over looking the pyramids, here we let our camels rest while we get camera happy. With the wind blowing all around the desert it's rather cold this early in the morning, but its beauty is riviting and breath taking, I couldn't help but just sit there and ponder how lucky I am that I'm here and just basking in the glory that is before me.
Tomorrow we plan to go the Meusem and back the Pyramids but this time we are getting right up next to them, and then it's off on the overnight train travelling south to Aswan.
Until next time, ma'a salaama
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Alexandria - Egypt
ahlan wa sahlan
So tonight is our last night in Alexandria and I must be honest I've totally fallen in love with this Mediterran Delight. The landscape is beautiful right alone the ocean front, the people are super nice and friendly. It's taken me a couple of days to settle in but now I don't want to go, but alas more adventures await me. Today I got my nerd on and we went to visit the Biblotheca Alexandria - The Modern Day version of the Great Library of Alexandria, oh what I would have given to see that origianl library in its glory day, I would have had a total field day, but this modern day version was almost as good and so BIG. It is heads above anything we have back home. Also today while we were waiting for the library to open we decided to have breakfast at a cafe (Best coffee ever) near by and met some lovely Australians George and Jen, they are an older couple (retires) and George actually is egyptian by birth so for the next 2 hours we proceeded to chat to them and get the low down on this beautiful place called Alexandria. We went to the library together and there we parted tracks I did however get some contact information for the couple and we invited them up to visit us one day. Following the library we went to the Qaitbay Citadel, this amazing fort built by Napoleon was trult breath taking and beyond beautiful. The views you get from some of the rooms within this fort just take your breathe away. I can understand why this place has been conquered and ruled by some many countries, it's totally amazing and in all honesty words can't come close to explaining just how beautiful it is, if I could I'd love to stay longer but I can't, I must face reality and move on. But prehaps one day I'll be back in this beautiful place along the Mediterrean ocean being swept away within it all.
Peace Out Mandy
So tonight is our last night in Alexandria and I must be honest I've totally fallen in love with this Mediterran Delight. The landscape is beautiful right alone the ocean front, the people are super nice and friendly. It's taken me a couple of days to settle in but now I don't want to go, but alas more adventures await me. Today I got my nerd on and we went to visit the Biblotheca Alexandria - The Modern Day version of the Great Library of Alexandria, oh what I would have given to see that origianl library in its glory day, I would have had a total field day, but this modern day version was almost as good and so BIG. It is heads above anything we have back home. Also today while we were waiting for the library to open we decided to have breakfast at a cafe (Best coffee ever) near by and met some lovely Australians George and Jen, they are an older couple (retires) and George actually is egyptian by birth so for the next 2 hours we proceeded to chat to them and get the low down on this beautiful place called Alexandria. We went to the library together and there we parted tracks I did however get some contact information for the couple and we invited them up to visit us one day. Following the library we went to the Qaitbay Citadel, this amazing fort built by Napoleon was trult breath taking and beyond beautiful. The views you get from some of the rooms within this fort just take your breathe away. I can understand why this place has been conquered and ruled by some many countries, it's totally amazing and in all honesty words can't come close to explaining just how beautiful it is, if I could I'd love to stay longer but I can't, I must face reality and move on. But prehaps one day I'll be back in this beautiful place along the Mediterrean ocean being swept away within it all.
Peace Out Mandy
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