Back Home!

We are back home in Minnesota; it was good to see a green landscape, again, particularly after being in Jordan.

We had a great trip, made new friends and enjoyed every minute we were gone.

There is so much to see and experience in this world - take advantage when you can and broaden your horizens. You might just get the "travel fever" as we have!

I thought I would be ready to "stay home" for a while -- but, once I get back in the comforts of home, I'm ready to go again. Tod really wants to see Antarctica, but I don't know if I ready for the cold...we'll see!

As Egypt was my choice and a place I've always wanted to go to, and Petra, Jordan, is one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World", I guess it should be his choice next time!?!?

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - Goodby to Jordan

This morning we rose early for a sunrise camel trek into the desert.



It has been extremely hot & windy in South Jordan -- highs over 100 -- and I am ready to see some "green".

Overnight tonight in Cairo, before our flight home on Thursday, May 21, 2009.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 - Overnight at Wadi Rum

We spent the night in a tented(?) camp at Wadi Rum -- I'm not sure how Tod talked me into this one; at least we had a bed and didn't need to sleep on the ground!!




The sunset was beautiful.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 - Wadi Rum

About noon we left Petra for Wadi Rum, the largest and most magnificent of Jordan's desert landscapes -- we witnessed the vast silence and stark beauty of the desert.



It was here that Lawrence of Arabia strategized his attack during the Arab Revolt of WW1.

More Views of Petra

Monday, May 18, 2009 - "Petra By Night"

Our 2nd walk into Petra on Monday to see Petra light by approx 1800 candles - spectacular!

Monday, May 18, 2009 - Petra

Tod & I left the Crowne Plaza about 8am to walk into Petra and climb - approx 800 steps - to THE MONASTERY, which is another impressive site. It is not as busy, due to the long climb up,
but definitely worth the effort! The Monastery is a gigantic first century monument, carved into the mountain; perhaps a tomb or temple built in a style similar to The Treasury.




Walked back to our hotel by about noon to get our of the afternoon heat and tonight we will see "Petra by Night."

Sunday, May 17, 2009 - Petra

We met our guide for a 1/2 day, Abdullah, and told him we didn't want the typical tour - we wanted to see some of Petra's hidden secrets, and we had time to explore the other sites on our own. He took us on an alternate trail thru the mountains to a cliff that overlooked The Treasury-it was an incredible sight and we were the only ones there.




After going down the mountain to Petra, we did a short tour thru the rest of the sights and then back to our hotel to avoid the afternoon heat.
Late afternoon, we walked back down The Siq and into Petra. We climbed about 650 step to see THE HIGH PLACE OF SACRIFICE, which again, overlooks Petra below.

Saturday, May 16, 2009 - Cairo/Amman/Petra

Tod & I flew early morning to Amman, Jordan, and transferred by private car to Wadi Musa, which is the city that borders the ancient city of PETRA. Along the way we saw many Bedouin homes -- tents! We checked into the Crowne Plaza Hotel,
which is at the entrance to Petra.
About 3:30pm, we walked down THE SIQ, which is the entrance to PETRA: the legendary lost city carved into walls of a hidden desert canyon, the most famous of Jordan's dazzling sites. The Siq is a 3/4 mile long narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, leading to a sudden turn that reveals the most famous structure in Petra, THE TREASURY. Petra is one of "The New Seven Wonders of the World"; it is beautifuland amazing and we were "in awe"!

Friday, May 15, 2009 - Aswan

This morning we visited the UNFINISHED OBELISK,HIGH DAM, and then by boat to
the PHILAE TEMPLE, which again, was reconstructed on an island higher than it's original site, due to the Nile High Dam construction.



After sightseeing in the morning, we were treated to a relaxing Nile Felucca.



Lovely views along the Nile River!








Late afternoon flight from Aswan to Cairo and last overnight with our group at the SOFITEL EL GEZIRAH.

Thursday, May 14, 2009 - Aswan

Early flight to ABU SIMBEL, The Temple of Ramses, which consists of two temples which were moved and reconstructed at this site, when the high Dam was built and created Lake Nassar, the second largest man-made lake in Africa. It is beautiful here, and the temples are amazing -- definitely a site not to be missed!





Late afternoon flight back to Aswan; in the evening, we took a boat "taxi" and saw various Nile Cruise ships -- there is a big array of ships on the Nile and the quality is everything from very basic to deluxe. My personal favorites were the SONESTA ST GEORGE and the OBEROI ZAHRA. For a small group, another great option is the Dahabiyas, which offer only 8 cabins and would be a great, small ship experience.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 - Edfu

Morning visit to the TEMPLE OF EDFU; tranportation to the temple was by horse and carriage. After the visit, we sailed on the Kom Ombo and late afternoon visit to the KOM OMBO TEMPLE.




This evening was "Egyptian Night" and entertainment, and cruise passengers were encouraged to dress as Egyptians. Sailed on to Awsan.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Luxor, West Bank

Early morning depart ship by small boat to visit the West Bank of the Nile, and the VALLEY OF THE QUEENS, VALLEY OF THE KINGS, and the HABU TEMPLE. It is hot & dry here -- late afternoons are VERY WARM, and lots of water is essential. At the Valley of the Queens, and Valley of the Kings, we entered the underground tombs and saw original paintings, still with brilliant colors!



In the afternoon, we sailed on the Esna, to go thru the locks on the Nile. Boat "vendors" were trying to sell their wares, just before we entered the locks, and it made for an entertaining afternoon

Monday, May 11, 2009 - Luxor

Another early morning, as we flew to LUXOR to begin our Nile cruise on the ship, TUYA. Upon arrival in Luxor, we toured the KARNAK & LUXOR TEMPLES, and saw where work was being done to connect the two by unearthing the ancient "AVENUE OF THE SPHINX."




In the evening, Tod and I went on our own to see the LUXOR TEMPLE illuminated at night.