Mark and Anita took us to the airport first thing in the morning. After our farewells it was take off at 10.45 am and spending the next 27 hours with no real sleep travelling home. Pleased to be met by Di and Bruce at New Plymouth airport and to be delivered home.
After a fantastic if not at times hectic trip it was great to be home safely.
Hope you have enjoyed reading about our trip and thanks to those of you who kept in touch with you comments. With that we will sign off.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Day 41 & Day 42 - Abu Dhabi
Morning was spent preparing to leave Marks apartment before heading to Abu Dhabi in the afternoon to spend the night and next day with Mark's friends Graham and Julia. On arrival they took us on a quick trip around the main island and to afternoon tea at the huge and grand Emirates Palace Hotel. Mark and Anita then arrived from Dubai and we all then went out for dinner. Then back to our hosts place for some nigh caps - it was a few as we did not hit bed to 2.30am.
A weary bunch had a late brunch before we all headed for a cruise on Grahams beautiful cruising boat. Great afternoon swimming and fishing(unsuccessfully) before a bouncy and wet trip back to the Marina at Gahantoot. That evening we returned to Dubai with Mark and Anita for tea, book in at the hotel and packing.
A weary bunch had a late brunch before we all headed for a cruise on Grahams beautiful cruising boat. Great afternoon swimming and fishing(unsuccessfully) before a bouncy and wet trip back to the Marina at Gahantoot. That evening we returned to Dubai with Mark and Anita for tea, book in at the hotel and packing.
Day 39 & Day 40 - Dubai
Quiet morning before heading to the gold souk to pick up Sandra's jewellery we had ordered. The man we had dealt with was not there so arranged to meet him at the new shop they were opening in the Dubai Mall the next day. Enjoyed a lunch was at the Basta Art cafe before returning to Marks apartment. Rest of the afternoon was spent beside the pool and swimming. Quiet evening.
In the morning we took a 10 - 15 minute walk from Marks apartment to the newly opened huge Dubai Mall. Many of the shops were not open for business yet but it still took plenty of time to wander around the place. This mall features an indoor ice skating rink and a walk through aquarium. Had lunch at the mall and finally met up with the jeweller and became their new shops first customers. From the mall it was of to Karama markets for Sandra to purchase some pashminas. That evening Anita took us out to an Indian Resturuant (Asha's) at the Wafi Centre.
In the morning we took a 10 - 15 minute walk from Marks apartment to the newly opened huge Dubai Mall. Many of the shops were not open for business yet but it still took plenty of time to wander around the place. This mall features an indoor ice skating rink and a walk through aquarium. Had lunch at the mall and finally met up with the jeweller and became their new shops first customers. From the mall it was of to Karama markets for Sandra to purchase some pashminas. That evening Anita took us out to an Indian Resturuant (Asha's) at the Wafi Centre.
Day 38 Last full day Cairo
In the morning walked around the nearby square and streets observing the way things are done in that part of Cairo. After lunch at the hotel it was to the airport at 3pm to return to Dubai. Arrived at the new terminal No 3 in Dubai at 12.50 am. We were at Marks apartment one and quarter hours later having gone through passport control, doing duty free shopping (remember Marks wine this time), getting our bag and catching a taxi. When we returned from Rome it took that time just to get through passport control and get our bags.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Day 37 - Cairo
Out of steam is an understatement today. Day 36 ended with us arriving at our hotel 3.30 am of Day 37. Plane was bloody late leaving Aswan, stopped at Luxor, then on to Cairo (a long story which we wont tell right now).
After breakfast we met our guide at 10am then headed off for the Egyptian Museum. Crowds of people there - it was so busy!! All we can say though is wow!!! In 3 hours we were guided to the various major treasured items which included the contents of King Tut's tomb. Neil could spend a whole week here!!!
Next stop was the Islamic Citadel area which included a fort built in the 12th century and a Mosque built by Mohammed Ali in the 19th century. We were able to go in this massive mosque. Also great views from up there but was a bit hazy today. However not far away we saw the another large mosque which contains the tombs of the recent kings and also the Shah of Iran.
Had lunch then did a quick visit to the big bazaar area. Did not purchase anything but a very busy area. Headed back to the hotel at 4pm.
Got adventurous then and set out to find a rstaurant recommended by our guide. Did not take long to learn to go with a local when crossing the road. Forget the traffic - they seem to miss!! Even pedestrian lights mean nothing to them - just run a red and keep going!!
Had a really nice meal at the restaurant that was all Egyptian food. Sandra had the first and only glass of wine that she has had since being in Egypt! (That is another story also).
Should be no surprise that tonight will be an early night.
After breakfast we met our guide at 10am then headed off for the Egyptian Museum. Crowds of people there - it was so busy!! All we can say though is wow!!! In 3 hours we were guided to the various major treasured items which included the contents of King Tut's tomb. Neil could spend a whole week here!!!
Next stop was the Islamic Citadel area which included a fort built in the 12th century and a Mosque built by Mohammed Ali in the 19th century. We were able to go in this massive mosque. Also great views from up there but was a bit hazy today. However not far away we saw the another large mosque which contains the tombs of the recent kings and also the Shah of Iran.
Had lunch then did a quick visit to the big bazaar area. Did not purchase anything but a very busy area. Headed back to the hotel at 4pm.
Got adventurous then and set out to find a rstaurant recommended by our guide. Did not take long to learn to go with a local when crossing the road. Forget the traffic - they seem to miss!! Even pedestrian lights mean nothing to them - just run a red and keep going!!
Had a really nice meal at the restaurant that was all Egyptian food. Sandra had the first and only glass of wine that she has had since being in Egypt! (That is another story also).
Should be no surprise that tonight will be an early night.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Day 36 - Aswan & Abu Simbal
Had another early start this morning the leave Aswan on the 9am flight to Abu Simbal. An amazing place and cannot help admiring the fantastic achievement to rebuild the temples above the waters of Lake Nasser. Well worth the trip!! Was a really lovely day there too - not too hot and a nice breeze. Not too busy either - Wednesday and Friday are hopeless apparently!
Caught the plane back to Aswan at 1 pm and back to the hotel. Have a had a quiet afternoon including taking high tea up at the Panarama Bar on 13th floor and watching the views and the sunset. We check out of here at 7 pm tonight then fly back to Cairo on a rather late flight leaving here at 11.30pm.
Starting to run out of steam slightly now. Looking forward to a few days in Dubai before heading home.Still have the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to visit tomorrow along with a couple of other things on the list.
Just saw on BBC News that the AB's beat Australia!!! Good one.
PS: Accident at Abu simbel was yesterday so we are obviously fine.
Caught the plane back to Aswan at 1 pm and back to the hotel. Have a had a quiet afternoon including taking high tea up at the Panarama Bar on 13th floor and watching the views and the sunset. We check out of here at 7 pm tonight then fly back to Cairo on a rather late flight leaving here at 11.30pm.
Starting to run out of steam slightly now. Looking forward to a few days in Dubai before heading home.Still have the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to visit tomorrow along with a couple of other things on the list.
Just saw on BBC News that the AB's beat Australia!!! Good one.
PS: Accident at Abu simbel was yesterday so we are obviously fine.
Day 35 - Aswan
Transferred from our cruise boat to the Movenpick Hotel on Elphantine Island (still Aswan) then had to wait 3 hrs to get into our room.
At 3.30pm met our guide and set off up the Nile in a boat to Nubian village. On the way we stopped to take a 20 minute camel ride (you will be proud of us Ann) along the west bank of the river. Greeted at the Nubian by an elderly local who took us to his cousin's home to see a house built in am age old traditional style. We took hisbiscus tea with him there. Really pleased we took this additional trip. By the way this family kept small Nile crocodiles as pets, and took great delight in showing them to us!!!
At 3.30pm met our guide and set off up the Nile in a boat to Nubian village. On the way we stopped to take a 20 minute camel ride (you will be proud of us Ann) along the west bank of the river. Greeted at the Nubian by an elderly local who took us to his cousin's home to see a house built in am age old traditional style. We took hisbiscus tea with him there. Really pleased we took this additional trip. By the way this family kept small Nile crocodiles as pets, and took great delight in showing them to us!!!
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