02.24.23

Before we started working on our Egypt trip we had to make many decisions. How long did we need in the country; where were we going, and how were we traveling?

We kind of knew we wanted just a few days in Cairo/ Giza since it was so busy, and after researching the other spots to visit, Luxor was our next spot. We decided to fly there since it was just one hour away and fairly cheap, plus, we met up with some American friends we met in Albania at the airport, and the four of us shared a flight together. This was a first after so many years of traveling since with it is usually just the two of us, but Steve and Kathy were great partners and we all got along well together.

Luxor is a small town, especially compared to Cairo, and the Nile River splits the town in half between the east and west bank. We stayed on the east side and there was a great selection of rooms, plus it was more “rural”, and not within a crowded town.

Our room at the Oasis Gust House was terrific at just $16 per day—including breakfast on the roof patio. When we arrived we met with our hosts, Abraham, and talked about tour options, and like Giza, decided that a tour made sense. Also, since we now had two other people to share it with, we were all able to save a bit of money. The Valley of the Kings, was a must-see, and our tour guide showed us around, shared the history and insight, plus took us to the Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most significant Queens in early Egyptian history, and a monument we had never heard of, called Medinet Habu. All were spectacular!

The next day we were on our own so took the ferry across the river and visited the Temple of Karnak and viewed the Luxor Temple, which is visible by just driving or walking by, and the next morning, our last, we all did something we had never done before: a hot air balloon ride for $50 each, which was spectacular. We left just after sunrise and sailed over the places we had visited, plus saw other sites from a 2000 foot perspective. Money well spent!

There is much more detail that I shared on my personal Facebook page if you’d like to read it.