If you haven't visited the exhibition that is currently on at the Auckland Museum - Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs - I can thoroughly recommend it. It covers all the things that you would expect to find in an exhibition on Ancient Egypt: pyramids, pharaohs, tombs, mummies, gods, temples, statues and carvings. But also (and to my mind more interesting) it gives a glimpse into the everyday lives of the people who lived there. I have always had a fascination with ancient civilizations, … [Read more...]
Tour guides in Egypt need our support
When we travel with a group we are welcomed into the lives of our guides and drivers and often their families as well. If we go on a long tour, our hosts may be separated from their families for a long period of time - all to give us the best experience we can possibly have. We come away from our travels with heaps of photos and lots of good memories, remembering the country and our hosts as they were while we were there. Unfortunately in many parts of the world, the country does not stay as … [Read more...]
A Taste of Dubai
If you ever have an extended stop over time between flights in Dubai, I can thoroughly recommend asking your travel agent if they could arrange for someone to pick you up and show you around this fascinating place. I had an 8 hour wait at the airport on my way home from Egypt and Jordan in 2010. After a bit of asking around my travel agent managed to find a willing guide who was thinking about starting a tour business and was happy to use me as a test case. He and his friend drove me around … [Read more...]
Morocco
In 1990 I went for a 2 week camping trip through Morocco, travelling in a converted army truck and stopping wherever we could find a good campsite. This was before the days of digital cameras so I only have a few photos and I got sand in my camera in the Sahara desert so it never worked again. I scanned the pictures some time ago to preserve them so I will share those now and add some stories later. The Rif Mountains Roman Ruins at Volubilis FEZ Atlas … [Read more...]
Classic Jordan
June 2010 The kingdom of Jordan is a fascinating land of contrasts, and you can discover them all in one exciting week. Climb Amman's ancient citadel for spectacular views across a cosmopolitan modern city; admire elegant Ottoman and Byzantine design as well as graceful Roman ruins. Float in the famous Dead Sea, before marvelling at underwater life in the reefs off Aqaba. Forge through untamed desert dunes and cliffs, and encounter the graceful columns of ancient Petra. This Middle … [Read more...]
Egypt Experience
May - June 2010 Travel to Egypt and experience the 'Land of the Pharaohs' on this exciting trip. Be immersed in the history, grandeur and culture of ancient Egypt on a journey from Cairo, through the fascinating cities of Alexandria and Aswan, to Luxor. For action and adventure that doesn't stray too far out of the comfort zone, this is the perfect introduction to Egypt's famous treasures. Cruise the Nile in comfort Wander the temples of ancient Thebes Browse the bustling Khan … [Read more...]