Apr – May 2024

Egypt & Morocco

A 34-day adventure by Cayte Read more

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Trip start
April 19, 2024
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Day 1
Friday, April 19, 2024 at 1:17 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 162 m
Australia Waites Lagoon -36.082172, 146.91366636°4’56” S 146°54’49” E
Albury
April 19, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
An extra night at home as Dubai is a bit wet. Still hoping to make our tour of Egypt in time. Leaving tomorrow now. Fingers crossed
Lucky you missed it [Alison Nikitas]
4/26/24Reply
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Day 2
Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 11:57 AM
🌬 19 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Australia Curtin Reserve -33.93285, 151.17864633°55’58” S 151°10’43” E
Albury Take 2
April 20, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
So after the disaster that was yesterday, we are underway. Cairo here we come!
TravelerHave a great trip!
4/20/24Reply
Enjoy. 👋 [Kerryn]
4/20/24Reply
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Day 3
Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 7:35 AM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 11 m
United Arab Emirates Qarn Nuşaylah 24.450795, 54.64392524°27’3” N 54°38’38” E
Abu Dhabi
April 21, 2024 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
So far a trip of ups and downs. Losing our booking on Friday which included our premium economy flights was very disappointing, but we actually got upgraded to Premium on the Etihad flight! Who would have thought. So celebrating - it is after noon at home 🤣🍻Read more
TravelerHow brilliant x
4/21/24Reply
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Day 3
Sunday, April 21, 2024
☀️ 35 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Egypt Masākin Abū al Futūḩ 29.999411, 31.17631329°59’58” N 31°10’35” E
Cairo
April 21, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
We have arrived!! Drinks on the top deck where you can’t beat the view! Had our meeting with our tour group - only 7 of us and we are from Canada, New York State & London & then us. An early dinner to try and set the body clock.Read more
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Day 4
Monday, April 22, 2024 at 5:27 PM
⛅ 35 °C
Altitude: 53 m
Egypt Nazlat as Sammān 29.980928, 31.13286829°58’51” N 31°7’58” E
Cairo
April 22, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C
What an amazing day. We spent the first half of the day at Giza. Pyramids & the Sphinx are just amazing. And to go into the burial chamber in the middle of Khufu’s pyramid was quite mind blowing. Then we finished off the day with a visit to the Cairo museum. So much interesting stuff, including much from Tutankhamun’s tomb.Read more
TravelerHope you don’t need the Nile Hilton this time 😂
4/24/24Reply
TravelerThanks goodness not! 🤣
4/26/24Reply
Wow amazing. It’s definitely still on my bucket list. Have wonderful time [Joanne copley]
4/28/24Reply
Looks amazing [Liz]
5/4/24Reply
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Day 5
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 2:29 PM
☀️ 42 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Egypt Ţābiyat Qāyitbāy 31.21372, 29.88601131°12’49” N 29°53’10” E
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Alexandria
April 23, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 42 °C
Today we left Cairo for Alexandria. We visited the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. These amazing catacombs are vertical, unlike the Roman ones and a circular staircase takes you down into the depths. They date back to about the second century. From there we went to Fort Qaitbay, a 15th century limestone fortress with great views of the Mediterranean. The trip itself was an exercise in defensive driving. There seems to be very few road rules over here and nobody seems to obey them. And the horn is everyone’s friend. Fortunately, we have a skilled driver behind the wheel. And it appears Alexandria is where beer is served in wine glasses 🍻🤣Read more
TravelerIt's truly amazing!!
4/24/24Reply
TravelerBeautiful photos. My type of beer!
4/24/24Reply
Traveler That’s how I like beer!
4/24/24Reply
Amazing place!! Thanks for the photos.. on my bucket list too xx Enjoy 🩷 [Maree]
5/2/24Reply
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Day 6
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
☀️ 42 °C
Altitude: 98 m
Egypt Elephantine 24.089093, 32.89420624°5’21” N 32°53’39” E
Alexandria
April 24, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 42 °C
Our last port of call in Alexandria was the library. The original one burnt down 48 BC and the world lost many treasures in that fire. The new one is a striking, modern building that holds over 8 million books over 11 floors. After the library, we headed back towards Cairo, stopping at Wadi El Natron Coptic monastry where we had a tour given by one of the monks of this 4th C fortress . We then headed back to Cairo for a papyrus making demonstration before heading to the railway station for the overnight train for Azwan. It was a surprisingly comfortable ride, although like on the roads, excessive use of the horn was a little disruptive to sleep.Read more
TravelerLooks incredible. Such history
4/26/24Reply
TravelerImagine what was in the old library!!!!
4/26/24Reply
TravelerIt looks awesome. ❤️
4/28/24Reply
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Day 7
Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 9:32 AM
☀️ 36 °C
Altitude: 103 m
Egypt Jazīrat Shāsh 24.034407, 32.88542624°2’4” N 32°53’8” E
Aswan
April 25, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C
Got to Aswan about 9am and headed out to the temple of Philea - a temple dedicated to Isis. This is on an island in the middle of Nile - a massive structure that had to be moved with the building of the Aswan dam. The move, stone by stone, took nearly 10 years.
Free afternoon, where we caught up on bits & pieces before having dinner with a local Nubian family on Elephantine Island. This island in the middle of the Nile is only settled by Nubians, about 600 of them. Excellent evening and dinner but the highlight of the night was celebrating one of our company’s birthday in a traditional manner with the family. And all the 504s - they are everywhere!Read more
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Day 8
Friday, April 26, 2024
⛅ 39 °C
Altitude: 70 m
Egypt Naj‘ al Masā‘īd 25.447128, 32.53757525°26’50” N 32°32’15” E
Aswan
April 26, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ⛅ 39 °C
Up ridiculously early as the temperature will be 42 today and we are heading to Abu Simbel. Magnificent temple of Ramses II and his wife did not disappoint. Another huge structure which was moved away from the waters of the dam by the efforts UNESCO and the Egyptian government. Back in Aswan, we checked on our boat “The Nile Princess” which remained docked for the evening. The plan was to go on a Felucca (a traditional Egyptian sailing boat) and then to the spice markets, but we were stopped by dust storm.Read more
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Day 9
Saturday, April 27, 2024
☀️ 34 °C
Altitude: 66 m
Egypt Ash Shaghab 25.501802, 32.49162725°30’6” N 32°29’30” E
On the move
April 27, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
In the morning, the dust storm had settled down, and we headed out to the Nubian museum, which was really interesting. Managed to catch our Felucca back from the museum to our cruise boat. It was great. I could’ve spent hours just sailing around on this small craft on the Nile. Then we visited the spice markets picked up some local produce. Then back to our cruise ship, Princess of the Nile to start our journey down the Nile to Luxor. Amazing scenery and a top deck where we could completely relax. Then a night time stop at the temple of Kom Ombo - a very unusual temple as it’s dedicated to two Gods, Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus. A beer on the top deck finish to the day beautifully.Read more
TravelerYour trip is amazing!! Loving the pictures
4/28/24Reply
I've just tuned into your trip and it looks and sounds amazing. What a wonderful adventure you are having. Thanks for sharing it. It all looks so surreal! 👍👌 [Kerryn Beer]
4/30/24Reply
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Day 10
Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 6:28 PM
🌙 31 °C
Altitude: 81 m
Egypt Al Aqālitah 25.680511, 32.62583225°40’50” N 32°37’33” E
The Nile
April 28, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ 🌙 31 °C
A whole day spent floating down the Nile. We stopped at Edfu but didn’t disembark. Relaxed, sat on the deck, enjoyed the view and the pool. Could have kept up with this for days. Went through a couple of lochs on our way towards Luxor.Read more
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Day 11
Monday, April 29, 2024 at 5:25 AM
☀️ 35 °C
Altitude: 62 m
Egypt Al ‘Asāsīf 25.731288, 32.61843725°43’53” N 32°37’6” E
Luxor
April 29, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
Started the morning with a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings - just amazing 🤩. Went up to about 1500m and soaked in the sunrise and surrounds. Then had to hightail it back to the boat to grab our stuff before the next crowd got on. Then we headed off to the Karnak Temple Complex. It comprises a vast mix of temples, pylons, chapels, and other buildings and is dedicated mainly to the sun god Amun-Ra. It was enormous as each pharaoh added to the structure with different designs and structures. A quiet afternoon by the pool (next to the Nile) before tea out and falling into bed after such an early startRead more
TravelerThe balloon ride looks sensational Kate! I just love it so much!!
5/3/24Reply
TravelerWow Cayte. That is truly spectacular
5/3/24Reply
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Day 12
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 32 m
Egypt Mazloum palace 30.047726, 31.24060430°2’52” N 31°14’26” E
Thebes
April 30, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Wow what a day! Our first stop was the Valley of the Kings where we actually went into three of the tombs! Setnahkt, Siptah & Ramses III - all different periods so quite different. Then onto the tomb of Tutankhamen. Not as big as the others but special! From there we went to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut who was a female king of Egypt who reigned in her own right and attained unprecedented power for a woman, adopting the full titles and regalia of a pharaoh. Go girl! A quick glance at the Colossus of Memnon. Then we talked our wonderful guide Waleed into talking us all to Dier El Medina. A village of the workers and scribes. We watched a series on this before we came so this was great. A bit of a break before heading to Luxor Temple as we watched it lit up by night and then a rooftop dinner, enjoying the view of Luxor!Read more
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Day 13
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 40 m
Egypt Tomb of Sîdî el Madbûlî 30.057852, 31.24270630°3’28” N 31°14’34” E
Cairo
May 1, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Early morning flight back to Cairo where we spent most of the day checking out the local markets - lots of winding little streets serving up all sorts of food and wares. As it was the Islamic ‘Khan’ markets it was also the area of minarets - of many different styles. Then last dinner out with most of our group in the French area of Cairo which is full of beautiful if rundown French architecture.Read more
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Day 14
Thursday, May 2, 2024
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 40 m
Egypt Tomb of Sîdî el Madbûlî 30.057852, 31.24270630°3’28” N 31°14’34” E
Cairo by ourselves
May 2, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Decided on a quiet day. In the morning Lyn went shopping and Ian went back to the Cairo museum before we all headed off to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. This is where the 22 mummies that were found in 2 separate caches (found 1891 & 1898). It is believed that they were moved from their original tombs to protect them from grave robbers. They are quite amazing to see - most with hair & teeth intact - no photos allowedRead more
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Day 15
Friday, May 3, 2024
☀️ 33 °C
Altitude: 40 m
Egypt Tomb of Sîdî el Madbûlî 30.057852, 31.24270630°3’28” N 31°14’34” E
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And more Cairo
May 3, 2024 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Our ride, Mohammed, picked us up and we headed off to Sakkara. This is where the step pyramid- the oldest of them all - is located. The whole complex is enormous with the site being excavated. We went from there to the Red pyramid, which we were able to go inside. It was hard work but well worth it. The ceiling in the chamber was magnificent. Then off to the Bent pyramid, because it had to be finished early as its planned occupant was dying. It was even harder work to get into this, but its inside was nowhere near as exciting. Definitely got my steps up today. From there, we went to a carpet training school where they showed us how they make carpet and train future carpet makers. Then back to Cairo for Koshari (a traditional Egyptian dish) for tea. Delivery was an option 😊Read more
TravelerLucky you girls are so fit!
5/4/24Reply
TravelerMichelle, thank goodness for the gym or we would be left in the pyramids 🤣
5/5/24Reply
Traveler😆
5/5/24Reply
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Day 16
Saturday, May 4, 2024
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 43 m
Morocco Bassin du Tourisme 33.597198, -7.614833°35’50” N 7°36’53” W
Casablanca
May 4, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
We say goodbye to Egypt 🇪🇬🥲. Very interesting flight over - we did not fly over Africa but up towards Albania and then across the Mediterranean, and you could see the actual landscape of all the islands. Morocco here we come! Yala Beena!! First port of call is Casablanca. Made our motel after lunch and went for a wander round the old town and to the port. Very surprised by how western this is in comparison to Egypt - and lots of “Australian” plants including gum trees. Traffic is almost normal instead of driving over two lanes and managing by “talking” to each other with horns.
And in the local shopping centre found ourselves a pseudo Wendy’s ice cream 🍦. Fell into bed as 26 hour day starting at 3amRead more
TravelerPhotos amazing. Thank you. Loving the digital journey x
5/5/24Reply
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Day 17
Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 11:22 AM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Morocco Casablanca 33.586187, -7.6292233°35’10” N 7°37’45” W
Casablanca Day 2
May 5, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Started the day at the Museum of Arts - which turned out to be a small gallery with different artists show their wares. The current artist in residence was into lithographs & it was an interesting look around. From there, wandered the streets including the local market. Next stop was Rick‘s Café American. We had to lineup to get in and waited about 20 minutes and it was worth it. Set up at the bar and all of us had a gin, as it is after all a gin joint. 😊. Back to the motel and a bit of a rest to recover from what were very large gins before meeting our new group at 6. There are eight Aussies from all over the country and four Americans. They seem a good bunch. A tagine for dinner at a local restaurant was a great way to start the tour.Read more
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Day 18
Monday, May 6, 2024
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 636 m
Morocco Sebaa Kabaïl 35.168453, -5.25597535°10’6” N 5°15’22” W
2
Casablanca, Rabat & Meknes
May 6, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
A huge day. We started off at the Hassan II mosque, which is one of the few religious sites open to non-Muslims. It can accommodate 25,000 worshipers. The building was spectacular both in decoration and architecturally with an opening roof. From there, we travelled to Rabat, which is the current capital. I have never seen such a clean town in my life. One side of the river is the Medina with Unfinished mosque, the mausoleum, old Roman settlements, and souks and the Kasbah. The other side looks a little bit like Dubai. We explored the old part. From there we headed to Meknes, with its fortifications, markets and Medina.Read more
Traveler Looks very interesting, pretty and great weather 🌦️ too, winning 🥇
5/8/24Reply
TravelerWe have been so lucky with the weather!
5/8/24Reply
TravelerAbsolutely stunning.
5/8/24Reply
TravelerHassan Mosque so spectacular & pristine 🤩
5/14/24Reply
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Day 19
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 9:34 AM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 388 m
Morocco Bled Oulad Mouka 34.074803, -5.55286234°4’29” N 5°33’10” W
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Volubilis & Chefchaouen
May 7, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Volubilis, an old Roman settlement was our first stop with some incredible mosaics. And then onto Chefchaouen - the Blue City. What an amazing place. Our accommodation is brilliant. The view is spectacular. To finish the day we went for a wander around the town having a look at the city and its architecture and then had an excellent meal in a nice little restaurant with a view (and a beer 🍻)Read more
TravelerThe weather, the scenery, the buildings. All looks amazing, adding Morocco to my bucket list.😄
5/8/24Reply
Traveler Matching blue hat, Lyn.😄
5/8/24Reply
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Day 20
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 10:10 AM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 673 m
Morocco Sebaa Kabaïl 35.168045, -5.25525835°10’5” N 5°15’19” W
Chefchauoen & Fes
May 8, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
First stop this morning was the mosque at the top of the hill. And then back down and up to the top of the city walls where we nearly got run over by a runaway donkey. This deserved a fresh orange juice. Then a four hour bus ride to Fes and a dinner in a family Riad- just beautiful.Read more
TravelerDonkeys can be so unpredictable
5/9/24Reply
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Day 21
Thursday, May 9, 2024
☁️ 33 °C
Altitude: 401 m
Morocco Fes 34.041247, -4.99674734°2’28” N 4°59’48” W
Fes
May 9, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C
A big day exploring the Medina of Fes (Fez El Bali) - it is the largest car-free urban area in the world and the capital during the 13th & 14th centuries. It is a warren of twisting lanes which if we had got lost I am not sure we would have found our way out. There are centuries-old monuments and mosques. We spent the day investigating the old university, the schools, the handicrafts including leather workers and weavers and more. Very full brain by the end of the day.Read more
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Day 22
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 1:21 PM
☁️ 26 °C
Altitude: 1,457 m
Morocco Assif Bouhafs 32.818772, -4.95967232°49’8” N 4°57’35” W
On the way to the Sahara (via Midelt)
May 10, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Half day in the bus. 4 hours on the road. Left the bustle of Fes and headed through to the Atlas Mountains to Midelt. Passed some wild monkeys on the way - one with a bub. There is a large Berber community in this area - many who were nomadic and now are not. Lunch was amazing and our accommodation quite special. Went for a decent walk around some of the countryside and had afternoon tea with a Berber family.Read more
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Day 23
Saturday, May 11, 2024
☁️ 32 °C
Altitude: 903 m
Morocco Igherem N-Assallab 31.55323, -4.70709631°33’12” N 4°42’26” W
1
Sahara Camp
May 11, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Another driving day! We stopped at a number of places on the way - a local market, an oasis, a bar with a band playing old Moroccan music but finally made it to edge of the Sahara! Checked out our tent before heading out into the desert. The sand was so soft and some places all we could see was sand. An amazing place!Read more
TravelerTent looks rough!
5/12/24Reply
TravelerWe were told to put our luggage up so we didn’t end up with a scorpion to take home!!.
5/12/24Reply
Traveler Looks good on you ❤️
5/12/24Reply
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Day 24
Sunday, May 12, 2024
☁️ 26 °C
Altitude: 1,607 m
Morocco Assif n’Aït Toumert 31.384778, -6.13109231°23’5” N 6°7’52” W
1 1
M’goun valley
May 12, 2024 in Morocco ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
We left our lovely little tent, village in the sand and headed to the M’goun Valley. Stopped on the way it’s some amazing amazing 13th century underground infrastructure for moving water around the desert - miles of wells. Sadly, the water table is now depleted so they are not used any more, but the tunnels used to carry a massive amount of water. Then lunch in a home where the food was brilliant before heading off to Todra Gorge. The creek bubbles up from underground and creates a fast flowing creek - with canyon walls 3km high. An amazing sight and popular weekend picnic spot. Finally made it to the M’goun valley in the late afternoon. Such a pretty spot. They have year-round water here, obviously in the valley though.Read more
Traveler Loving the ladder.😄
5/14/24Reply
Traveler Looks amazing 🤩
5/15/24Reply
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