DUBAI AND CAIRO! WE'RE ON OUR WAY!

First days of our Adventure before Dementia

The flight from Auckland to Dubai seemed interminable and after saying we weren't going to eat anything we found ourselves studying the flight menu frequently - We made the most of liquid refreshments before arriving in countries where they are not so readily available!!!

The Airbus was huge and we were tucked away almost in the tail but overall a relatively comfortable flight!!

On arrival in Dubai we disembarked into the architecturally magnificent terminal.. No problems with Customs for any of us and we were met by reps from Arabian Tours and whisked away to the hotel - 6.45am. 

We were too hyped up to sleep so took to the streets to find money changers and coffee.  Temp about 37c and only mad dogs and elderly women go walking in the midday sun. 

Our tour leader(sic) hadn't researched the fact that taxis are cheaper than a cup of coffee, petrol 50c US LITRE -worth using if you don't want to get sunstroke!!!

Dubai is a city of contrasts -face of modern muslims alongside sophisticated Westerners.  A monument to western consumerism -  we found the locals charming and obliging.

We loved visiting Annie's cousin who is a renowned photographer and lives here permanently. We had breakfast outdoors at her lovely home and she did a photoshoot of us all for fun and record. She answered our myriad questions on living in Dubai with grace and generosity.

After leaving her home we took a bus tour of Dubai stopping off at the renowned Palm Islands, tallest building in the world and the indoor skifield, chairlift, skiruns and snow 12 months of the year and thousands of shops in the malls.

 A dinner on board a floating Dhow ended the day and this morning a visit to the Gold Souks in the old part of the city concluded our two days in Dubai.

Bye bye Dubai

 sadly no rich Sheiks in tow as yet!! And so onto Egypt…………

Contributed by us all !

CAIRO

After arriving into Cairo we had our senses well and truly assaulted on the ride into the city.  Modern hotel  an oasis right by the Pyramids with swimming pool etc  and early next morning we were on our way to Alexandria where we hotelled right on the boulevard along the seafront.  Teeming with traffic with locals casually stepping out into the middle of the road with no care and a complete confidence in the drivers to avoid them.  We enjoyed a meal at the Fish Markets – fresh and delicious and a stroll along the waterfront ( a la oriental Bay?) with locals greeting us and welcoming us to Egypt and thanking us for coming.  A demonstration in the local square was interesting and well run – they were supporting Libya in its bid for freedom from the Government. Tourists are very scarce – Saw only a couple of foreigners during our walks and the locals are very worried about the lack of tourists -  a major source of income but they are determined to hang in there until elections in September. The three main incomes for Egypt are Suez Canal, Oil ande Tourism.  The Suez is declining because of the size of container ships against the depth and width of the Canal.  They are looking to widen and deepen the Canal but need Cash to do it.

The world heritage Bibliographica Library was a highlight of our visit to Alex. One of the Seven Wonders of the World of ancient antiquities – even part of the Old Testament – 31 pages written on Deer Skin and sections of wonderful modern Art and Ceramics and Syrian and Iranian textiles and clothing.  Jann was in raptures.(As were we all)

The rubbish (probably been there for years) is piling up due to the infrastructure failing and is a sight to behold.  We took an hour to drive a few kilometers to the catacombs discovered in the early twenties after a donkey fell down a well and excavations begun on Roman burial grou nds.

Now back in Cairo after a, in parts, a hair-raising drive on a motorway under construction  and even did a dance with front end loader, steamroller and trucks . Just had a swim in hotel pool and tonight we meet the rest of the tour party and begin sightseeing around Cairo tomorrow.  Onto the train for overnight trip to Luxor where we pick up the luxury 4 day cruise down the Nile.

Happy Days!!!