Explore The World

Helle and I travelled through Egypt for about 1 month in February 1989. It was a great month to visit as temperatures were relatively cool. We loved the chaos and vibrance of Cairo, the historic towns of Aswan and Luxor and had a great trip on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor with a bunch of Australians. We had a wonderful train trip from Cairo to Aswan. Our mode of travel from there onwards was by local bus. I recall one trip from Hurghada to Alexandria – we stood the whole way and it was several hours! The joys of budget travel. Helle and I were the only foreigners on the bus. Every time someone stood to get off the bus, locals ensured that we didn’t get the seat! I guess they were just looking after their own.

Main places we visited in Egypt and Sinai

Our home on the Nile for a few days

Captain Mohammed

It was cold at night

A trip on the Nile is a must in Egypt. Mohammed and his team of one other looked after us from Aswan to Luxor. I cannot recall how we went to the toilet but it was a great trip just sailing the Nile and taking in the sights and the sounds along the way.

Naturally in Egypt you need to visit the Pyramids, mosques and of course the incredible ” Valley of the Kings” in Luxor.

Somewhere in the Valley of the Kings

The flavour of Egypt we loved. From the smiling kids to the grand elderly.

The local abattoir and butcher

Simple modes of transport in the villages

Life in Egypt in the 80’s

No trip to this region is complete without a camel ride. We actually did a desert camel trek to an Oasis in Sinai. Not a very pleasant experience as camels aren’t the most comfortable creatures to ride or the most elegant and attractive. But you need to ride one to say you have done it.

Sinai

We travelled from Alexandria by bus to the small backpack village of Dahab. Right on the Red Sea it was a snorkelling and divers haven – we didn’t even go in the water – it was too cold.

A trip up Mt Sinai is definitely worth it. It is of where Moses received the 10 Commandments – apparently! Walk up before sunrise and get the most beautiful start to your day. You can walk up or take a donkey.

We loved Egypt and Sinai. Incredible history, vibrance, natural landscapes, vastness – and a huge contrast from around the Nile to the rest of the country. The locals were welcoming without being in your face. They seemed relatively use to tourists and we never felt threatened or unsafe.