Final Thoughts

It is Saturday, June 3rd and I am writing this in our backyard. The sun is out and I have just finished writing up our Egyptian journal. It has been several months now since we visited which I have spent typing the trip up, sorting through pictures and getting back to normal at work and so on.

Mel and I both agree that we want to return to Egypt to see more of what we really enjoyed. On our next trip we will return to Luxor to see more from the Valley of the Kings and perhaps the Valley of the Queens and other sites in the area as well, maybe even finally taking the air balloon trip that was cancelled on us. We also want to return to Cairo as I think we really did not see enough of it and I really want to return to the Giza Plateau to spend more time there and go into the Grand Pyramid.

We have followed up with the tour company regarding the quality of our tour boat (not being 5 stars) and eventually we were offered a modest payment in return but, really, we just wanted them to be aware of the standard of the facilities that they were offering in Egypt. The other couples we were with have escalated their complaints with the company including engaging an ombudsman but we don't personally feel the need to take it that far.

I was so happy we were able to see not only the amazing sites but also found a way to see and experience the way the local people do with our trips to the souk in Aswan, and the mall in Cairo. Having experienced Africa before I was again happy to see how easily Mel adapted and was interested in doing this, only a tiny bit uncomfortable. I think it is important to see the REAL way people live when you visit somewhere otherwise you are only seeing half the picture. Next time when we visit Egypt we will try to do more of this.

How does it compare to what I was expecting? Well, I think Egypt exceeded my expectations both in the sites but also the people and landscape. I only glimpsed the cultural artefacts with the exhibit in Canada I attended as child but now seeing it in context I am overwhelmed. It was an amazing experience and I can't wait to return.