Pictures for your enjoyment - Part 3

Sunset on the Nile with a Felucca boat.

I know, there are a lot of pictures but this is just a sampling. I have already taken more than 800 pictures in 2.5 weeks (Dad, I hope you are proud!). Enjoy! And I hope to post in a few days when I am back in Luxor and try to post more pictures.

Love, Lisa

Pictures for your enjoyment - Part 2

A home nestled in a sugar cane field from the Hot Air Balloon over Luxor.

Luxor from the air. You can see the desert creeping onto the fertile land of the river Nile along with all the river canals for irrigation.

Sunrise in Luxor by Hot air balloon.

One of my favourite dsigns in the temples has been the painted ceilings with night and stars. This particular room was in the Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor.

Me in front of statues of King/Queen Hatshepsut.

Pictures for your enjoyment - Part 1

Hello - I am in Aswan and hope you will enjoy these pictures. I am having a good time on the Nile Riverboat. It is very relaxing and we have plenty of time to relax as we move from one site to the next. The sunsets are magnificent and the food is pretty good, but it seems that it has been westernized for us. We have seen Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo yesterday. Then I was awake at 2:45am to get on the bus for Abu Simbel today. It was a beautiful temple, more striking due to the fact that the temple was moved to prevent destruction by the rising water of Lake Nasser.

I feel ready to move on to something different. I have enjoyed the river cruise but miss the peace and seclusion of Sinai. I am looking forward to the Western Desert in a few days. We drove through a sand storm on our way back from Abu Simbel so as long as there are no sand storms, I will be fine :).


Me on a donkey. I named him Jake and he took me to Hatshepsut's Temple.

The panoramic view of Karnak Temple - columns, windows, beams and trees in the distance.

Amazing inscriptions in Karnak. This temple was magnificent as there were carvings everywhere and some of the colour remained. It was fun to try to imagine what the complete temple would have looked like.

Me on a Calesh ride in Luxor with Terry.

Snorkelling in Ras Mohammed in Sinai (Rachel, Mohamed, Me, Emma and Mena kneeling).

Pictures?

Sorry, I have been waiting for 60 minutes to download some pictures for you and the connection is so bad! I will have to try again when I arrive in Aswan. By then I will have even more pics to share with you all.

Love Lisa

Hello from Luxor (still here!)

Hello all,

I am still in Luxor and am now on the cruise boat. It is much smaller than the other boats surrounding us but I like it. It has the capacity for 28 passengers. I am sharing a room with Rachel, who was on the Sinai portion with me. In the past few days, I have had a lot more free time as the new group of people who did not particiate in the Sinai trip are having to do the excursions my group did when we arrived. I have enjoyed the time to myself! Yesterday afternoon I laid on the pool deck and rested. Luxor is a relatively quiet city compared to what I have seen.

On Monday, after I last posted, I joined the Cruise boat and then went out into Luxor and saw the Mummification Museum (really cool - they had the tools used in mummifications along with a mummified person and animals). I also went to the Luxor Museum. This is an impressive museum. It is so well laid out that there is a natural flow which ensures that all items are seen. The pieces were extraordinary. Plus it was air-conditioned which is nice in the heat of the day.

I had an early night because I had a wakeup call for 4:45am the next morning. I went up into a hot air balloon at sunrise. It was incredible! To see Luxor from above was beautiful: I could see the major sites on the West Bank (the sites I had seen the days before), the lush Nile Valley and the Egyptian homes. It was so peaceful up in the air at dawn with just the sound of life (donkeys making noices, children saying hello, the sound of inflating the balloon). I was so glad I did the balloon ride. Following a smooth landing (we didn't even bounce!) the crew sand a song and we all danced together. It was such an brilliant experience and felt so raw and spur of the moment (minus the drum on hand for such occasions!).

I ended my main sightseeing with a visit to Habu Temple and the Tombs of the workers. There was a tomb I went into that was amazing: it was all painted and was in such perfect condition that it looked like it had been painted yesterday. It really helped me visualize what the temples I have already seen would have looked like complete (engravings and colour everywhere!).

I am currently trying to find a cookbook so that I can attempt to make the wonderful food I have tried. It is like a whole new world has been opened up for me (no more PB&J sandwiches for me... well maybe not as often!). I only wish you all could be here to experience everything with me.

This afternon, we set sail for our cruise down the Nile to Aswan. Along the way I will be visiting Edfu Temple, Temple of Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, St Simeon Monastery by Camel, a Felucca trip, visiting a Nubian Village and Philae Temple. It will be a busy few days but who knows when I will be back in Egypt!

I finally went shopping. It can be a very stressful experience. Walking through the markets you are continually bombarded with comments and requests to look and spend money. I think it is particularly hilarious when they offer to help me spend money! But I have mastered the art of saying No thank you ("La Shokran") and to always keep moving. It has been frustrating to hear the comments made about my looks and my body (all positive but nevertheless degrading) but that is part of the culture. I think they just don't quite understand how to communicate exactly what they are thinking (or maybe I am wrong!). But it has been difficult at times, especially when I walk on my own, to ignore the remarks/comments (Mom and Dad - you raised me well!). But overall, there have only been a few times where I felt extremely uncomfortable but it was nothing serious.

Anyways, I have bought a blouse that looks like a galabeya (the long outfit men and women wear). It is really big so I have had to pin it. But yesterday I looked at some jewellery. I went into a shop recommended by Explore! and looked at some necklace pieces. My favourite symbol that I have seen in the temples is the symbol for Life. It mimics the shape of the Nile River as it branches off into two rivers. When I asked for the price I was told 300 LE. I asked my tour leader if that was a reasonable price and he said 280 (I think he was joking). I decided that I would offer 250. I was shocked when the sale person accepted right away. But then I learned my lesson. He broke the 200 bill into smaller notes and started handing me money back:50, 75, 100, 150. He only charged me 100 LE for the necklace, plus he gave me a small scarab piece as a gift. I was told that I have to learn to barter, which I now know I am horrible at. But it also helps if you know what items should cost beforehand. So I now have a new piece of jewellery and know that I have to try harded at getting a decent price for an object!

Well, I am going to wrap this up by saying that everything is going really well in Egypt. It feels like I have been gone for months already and miss you all. I will post some pictures now and hope you enjoy!

Love, Lisa

From Luxor

Hello everyone! Boy do I miss you all. It was a rough morning today as I woke up to hear about a bomb in Cairo last night. Everything is fine with me (I am in Luxor preparing for my Nile Cruise) but it is sad to hear about the attack. I have loved my time in Cairo and the people are so friendly (at times a little too much!) so it is upsetting that an attack happened which may impact the city negatively - the people and the country rely on tourism.

Anyways, we finished the Sinai portion of the tour last night. We went to the Nile Valley restaurant for dinner and entertainment. It started with a traditional Egyptian band, then a man danced with two sticks, But the highlights of the evening were the Whirling Dervish (so incredible) and the belly dancers. I bought a belly belt in the Bedouin camp in Sinai so now I can practice my moves! It is so incredible and looks like so much fun. It was a great evening and it was kind of sad to split the group. Some are going on the cruise with me, some are going on a felucca and some went home. It was a great group of people let by an incredible tour leader, Mohamed. I know that he will be top tour leader in the Middle East soon (Mohamed - I will put in a great review :) ).

So I am just getting ready for a whole new side of Egypt. This country is amazing: it is beautiful, diverse, interesting, challenging, friendly, different and peaceful. It is a good thing I have a couple more weeks left!

In the last few days, we have travelled from Hurghada to Luxor by bus. We went to Karnak Temple which is an amazing complex. Everywhere I looked were inscriptions engraved into the columns and beams and walls. It just blows your mind when you think how the ancient Egyptians made these massive monuments! We also got to ride donkeys (I named mine Jake and he was such a good donkey) to Hatshepsut's Temple which was so incredible and so different from the rest of the monuments and then by bus to the Valley of the Kings. My favourite part of all the monuments has been the painting on the inscriptions. It has remained for centuries and it so powerful. Of all the paintings, my favourite are the ceilings which were painted blue with yellow stars. It is so magical!

I hope to post some pictures when I have some time. But right now I am off with Rachel to see some sights and pack for the cruise.

I miss you all and hope you enjoy the blog. I have enjoyed the comments!

Love, Lisa

Pictures of Egypt - Part 3

Sunrise on the beach in Ras Mohammed National Park in Sinai.

Me pushing my way through the Narrow Canyon in Ras Mohammed National Park.

Mohamed helping the group through a climb in the Narrow Canyon.

Our approach to the Narrow Canyon.

Pictures of Egypt - Part 2

Driving in the desert in Sinai in our 4x4 Jeeps.

Sunset on top of Mount Sinai. It is truly beautiful and so quiet.

I made it to the top of Mount Sinai.

That is me climbing Mount Sinai - what a healthy glow! (or so I thought)

Me under the Burning Bush in St Katherine's Monastery.

Pictures of Egypt - Part 1

Me in front of the Giza Pyramids from the Panoramic Point.

Our fish in Dahab - we ate a beachfront restaurant and ate Grilled Sea Bass, fried grouper and shrimp.

Me on the beach in Dahab - before the camels came! That is Saudi Arabia in the distance.

View of Sinai from the plane.

Local market in Cairo - I thought it was Khan al Khalili the main market but I think it ended up being a different market. Just as crazy where everyone is wanting to sell you their items.

Still in Egypt

Hello all,

I know it has been a while since I last posted on my blog. It has been hard to find internet in Egypt. Plus I have just been out in the desert in Sinai. No toilets let alone internet!

Since my last post, I have joined the Explore tour for Egypt and am enjoying every moment! We spent a day in Cairo and saw the Giza Pyramids. They were incredible! I went into the chamber in the Khafre Pyramid. It was a tunnel that went to the middle of the pyramid, only 1 meter high! Once I got inside, it was unbelievable: it was hot and muggy and was completely dark. It was empty (as most pyramids have been robbed years ago) yet it felt full! It was an incredible feeling to stand under a pyramid and marvel at the unbelievable skill and knowledge the ancient Egyptians had to build such impressive monuments to honour their kings and queens.

We also visited the Egyptian Museum. I only spent a few hours and it could take weeks to see all the items within the museum. Everywhere you look are artefacts, relics and items from years past. I most likely will go back on my last day in Cairo.

The tour then departed for Sinai, the only section of Egypt that is a part of Asia. It is a truly magical place. The few days spent in Sinai were so peaceful and beautiful. We went to St Katherines where we visited the Monastery. It is a truly beautiful place, despite looking like a fortress. I went to the museum which contains ancient manuscripts and art from centuries ago. There were no photos allowed but the monk managing the front desk took a picture for me. It was unbelievable and I feel honoured that I was given that privilege (but I do have to keep it on the down-low!). We climbed Mount Sinai the following afternoon. It took about 3 hours to climb and we arrived at the top in time to see the sunset. The climb was difficult for me as my anemia has been a problem. But I do not regret seeing the magnificent views of the mountains of Sinai.

Of course the following few days have been difficult as I have no energy and do not feel myself. But the tour leader Mohamed has been wonderful as have all the other people on the tour. For two days, the group travelled through Sinai in 4x4 Jeeps and we toured the desert. It was a lot of fun (although it is hard on the butt!). We walked through a canyon (and in some parts climbed - I move like a spider!) and ended up camping in a Bedouin tent on a beach in Ras Mohammed National Park. The bedouin guides sang songs for us and we lived like bedouins (it was incredible!). In the morning, I sat on the beach, wrapped in a bedouin blanket (I think it is made of camel hair) and watched the sunrise. I have never felt more at peace. Sitting alone with the water lapping on the beach and the warm breeze blowing on my face was an incredible experience that I will never forget.

We went snorkelling along the coral reefs which are some of the best in the world. It was lovely and I think I should have been a fish! We left Sinai by coach as we had to drive back to Cairo to catch a flight to Hurghada (the ferry was cancelled). It was an extremely long day and I did not feel human at the end of it. But I had a restful sleep, a shower (warm water is lovely) and am now sitting in an Internet cafe in a side street of Hurghada. Mohamed did warn me to be careful walking alone in Hurghada as the men can be very forth-coming but I have not had any problems. I think I prepared myself enough and am aware of the things I should avoid doing in a Muslim country. I already have learned that I should remain covered even when on a beach! In Dahab, I spent the afternoon on the beach soaking up the sun in my bathing suit when I looked up and was surrounded by camels with boys sitting on top rambling on about something! I did manage to get them to leave and Mohamed later joked they probably wanted to kidnap me (it's okay Mom, Mohamed would have come after me - I hope!). So I have learned my lesson and am more cautious (although it does get hot wearing long sleeve shirts and trousers).

I guess I should mention the food - UNBELIEVABLE! The flavours are so powerful and they set my tastebuds on fire! I have tried a lot of Egyptian food - koshari, fuul, falafels, hummus, baba ganouj (oh my god Jeff, you would die! - Mohamed told me how to make it so I will pass it on). I have enjoyed all of it. I even had grilled fish in Dahab, and ate the fish eye (it was interesting to say the least). The bedouin meals were so great! But despite all the food I am eating, I have been losing weight (my trousers are falling down - it's quite embarassing!). But I have tried so many new things and have enjoyed them all.

Anyways, I am having a wonderful time in Egypt and looking forward to the next phase of the tour - the Nile Cruise.

My Family - I miss you a lot but I want you to know that I am thoroughly enjoying myself. I have had a lot of time to myself (I guess that's what happens when you travel alone!) but really feel like I am growing as a person and am learning things about myself. It has been difficult but I welcome the challenge. Mom, please take it easy and I hope you are recovering well - I love you so much and miss my best friend in the whole world. Dad, I love you and am thinking of you a lot as I think you would have enjoyed seeing and doing the things I have done (it is a photographer's paradise!). Bryan, Kristen and Jeff - I am working on living life to the fullest and having fun. Please take care of Mom and Dad and make sure they do not worry about me! I can handle myself (I haven't been married off yet... or not that I know of:) )

I will make a separate post with some pictures as this one is pretty long! I will try to post again soon!

Love, Lisa

I am in Cairo

Hello all, I have made it to Cairo Egypt. This will be a short post as the internet is slow and expensive in the hotel! (Got to save my money!)

Cairo is not what I expected: my senses are on overload! It is busy 24 hours a day, there are so many people, the pollution and smoke is extremely intrusive (I feel like I have been smoking non-stop). But I love it. The people are friendly, helpful and just trying to make money! I have taken the taxi's many times (that is terrifying as cars drive wherever they want and there are no seatbelts), been to Khan al Khalili the bazaar which is miles of stalls and tried authentic Egyptian food (so yummy!).

So I start my tour tomorrow and it will be 23 days. Hopefully, I can find a cheap internet cafe and a few hours to spend and I will post pictures for you. But it may have to wait (I definately thought the connection would be better!)

I miss everyone back home and will talk to you soon (as soon as I can)!

Love, Lisa

Pictures from London

What a steal! I found an internet cafe with USB access for 50p for half hour.
So I have pictures for you. I hope you enjoy.
Oh, and I did walk my way out of my boots! I had to buy new ones (an unexpected expence, but I have been saving money all around!)
Today I walked down by the Thames. I walked down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace. It so extravagant and stunning. The guards were there (like they always are) and there were horse carriages going by. I was there early in the morning so it wasn't busy. Getting there was a different matter. I take the Piccadilly line everywhere and early morning it is packed! I pushed nyself on and almost got stuck in the door. Maybe when I am here again, I will sllep in to avoid the morning rush!
So I walked down by Buckingham, through St James Park and by the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. I crossed the river and approached when Big Ben struck 11am. Very cool!

So enjoy the pictures.

Me in the middle of the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

Me and my first traditional English meal... it has to be Fish & Chips in Leichester Square at Yate's Bar.

Sasha and Me in Trafalgar Square with the Lion.

Me in Hyde Park in front of Serpentine Lake (it's frozen!).

The Earls's Court YHA in London.

Houses of Parliament and Big Ben to the right.

Love you lots, Lisa

P.S. Mom - take it easy! I love you and I am having a great time! Thanks for the updates.

Greetings from Canada!

Well, sort of. I am in the Canadian Embassy in London and there is free internet access. Plus, clean bathrooms and art.
I am having a great time in London. Yesterday was tough as I had no sleep, was hungry and lonely. But it is amazing what some sleep and food will do for a person.
I spent my morning walking through Hyde Park - it's very big and there is lots to see. The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is beautiful and calming. I can't post any pictures right now but when I have access to a USB port, I will.
I met Sasha (a friend from Church many years ago) in London. She lives in Oxford and came into London to meet me. We have spent the day walking around London trying to find Trafalgar Square. It was my first big tourist site and I was so excited. Again, I will have pictures to post later.
So, I am having a great time and starting to get used to all the walking (I may walk myself right out of these boots!).
I will talk to you soon. Love, Lisa

Greetings from Jolly Ol' England

Hey everyone,

I arrived in London today. It was a long flight (9 hours) and unfortunately I didn't get much sleep. But I arrived all in one piece and mastered the tube right away! I have also gotten lost at least a dozen times in the two hours I walked from my hostel by Earl's Court to somewhere (I finally hopped on the tube and went to Piccadilly Circus). The streets are not straight but wind all over (good thing I have a compass!).

London is a beautiful city! The tube ride from the airport was great. I saw the neighbourhoods leading into the city, and they are exactly what I imagined (a la Mary Poppins!). And there are so many people! In a city of 8 million, it's amazing how lonely and insignificant you can feel. But people are very friendly when it's obvious that I am lost.

So my first day in London was excilerating and exhausting all at the same time. I plan to go to some museums in the next few days and get lost some more (it's great exercise!).

So, until the next time I'm back on the blog, Cheers! Lisa

P.S. I love you Mom, Dad, Bryan, Kristen and Jeff and miss you a bunch!

Bon Voyage

Well, I leave today for Europe (finally!). I will be flying directly to London, England this evening and will arrive Tuesday morning (Brit time). I am really excited and looking forward to all the experiences ahead.

Thank you to everyone who wished me well. Talk to you soon, Lisa