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Well I thought I should bring you all up to date with the latest since it has been SO long since I wrote last.Where to start?
We (Mic, Nathan and myself) collected our hire car and started our mini road trip.First stop was Kent to collect Molly and Clinton then off to Gloucester for the Cheese Rolling.Unfortunately we were a little too late and only caught a glimpse of the empty but very muddy hill and all the contenders walking home covered from head to toe in mud.We continued our journey west to Cardiff to spend the first night.We were all pretty shattered after a big weekend so after a walk around town we stayed in the hostel most of the night playing card games.
Up early to our next destination … Birmingham.Not much to see so we had a quick bite before continuing on to Liverpool.We struck it lucky in Liverpool as there was a city-wide music festival.Most of the pubs there were participating in promoting local talent so we headed to the pub across the road from the hotel to see some live music.We liked Liverpool so much that we ended up staying the next night as well.We went into the city and did a "Yellow Duckmarine" tour.It's a funky little truck that turns into a boat.It took us through the city giving us a quick tour before submerging into the water to power through Liverpool's canals.Unfortunately we didn't get time to do anything Beatles but it was such a great city I think I will definitely be heading back there.The next morning we drove into Manchester and just spent the day mooching in the city before taking off for Cairo.
Holy crap!What an intense 24 hours!! The second we arrived in Cairo we were swarmed at the airport by people wanting us to get their taxi to our hotel.Because we were unsure of how far it was we opted for a 95L.E (about £9) ride. But then after we had paid the fare (in advance!) the fella that took us to our car wanted a tip, then we were asked to pay more money to exist the airport car park then the driver wanted more off us as well!!The most important word to know in Egyptian Arabic is La!(No!).Our taxi driver asked us if we wanted to stop on a bridge over the Nile to take some photos, after we gave him a stern no, he proceeded to pull over.Eventually after he got it through his head that we just wanted to go home he carried on the journey to the where we were staying.The roads in Egypt have no lines, no rules and it became apparent that beeping the horn as much as possible and driving as close as you possibly can to the car both in front and next to you, is a must!I was surprised that we made it to our hotel in one piece!The next morning we got up and walked into the city we were dying of thirst and hunger and it took us over an hour walking in 40 degree heat before we actually found a shop.We visited the Cairo markets and that was another mish!Some random that spoke fluent English started talking to us and insisted on showing us round despite the fact we asked him not too … by the end of it he was begging for a tip even though we told him we don't want his help.
The Egyptians are quite funny, a lot of them were trying to stop us so we would look in their shops.I got a lot of "ooh very pretty lady" and "very lucky men" called to Nathan and Mic … ha ha ha.Other than being harassed by the marketmen the Egyptians really are lovely people.
I wont tell you what we did step by step through our Egypt tour because you will be reading forever!
We started and finished in Cairo, we visited the Sakkara pyramid (the oldest at 7000 years), the Giza pyramids (we went inside one of them and it was a 45 degree angle down through a space 1m x 1m … instant sweating and very claustrophobic in there), we flew to Abu Simbel which in my opinion was the most impressive thing in Egypt, we went through Luxor, spent a night on the dirtiest train I have ever seen, spent blissful evenings poolside at numerous 5 star resorts, had a police escort take us up through the south cities, sweltered in 48 degree heat and visited a handful of temples throughout the north and south, cuddled with a Lion, visited the Valley of the Kings (and Queens) but the best part of our trip was the felucca cruise.We (12ppl per boat) spent 2 nights, 3 days sailing up the Nile, we had 3 captains, Abdul, Bob and Felix who catered for us for breakfast, lunch and dinner and kept the esky's full of ice cold beer.There were 3 feluccas in our convoy and at night we dropped anchor and partied on the banks with our entire group.We were entertained by all 9 captains who sat around the bonfire and played and sung traditional Arabic music while we chatted, shared travel stories and learnt how to belly dance.The boys played soccer in the desert with the local Nubians and Africans, we bathed in the Nile at every chance to escape the heat, we had a dance off using our new belly dancing skills (we clearly won).We were fed traditional Egyptian cuisine the entire trip and although nearly everyone got sick, the food was delish, we washed it down with local beers and a little shisha for desert.
This was by far the most amazing holiday I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone!It was very sad to say goodbye to Molly and Clinton as they headed off to Dubai but I enjoyed travelling with them so much there is already talk of our next holiday.
I have finally found work in London and am into my second week temping at an office on the Thames, overlooking the London Eye.Last week Moira and I had Thursday off to attend the Royal Ascot Races (ladies day), it was such a great day that our whole flat ended up going again on Saturday.We had a trolley full of booze and food and apart from the entrance fee and the train, I didn't spend a penny!
A few more days of work before we head off to Glastonbury, yay!The line up is awesome and I cannot wait to experience it!We pick up the motorhome on Thursday afternoon and the 6 of us head off that night.
The house is going great, there are 9 of there at the moment and I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of people to live with!I know it sounds overcrowded but it isn't really.We have a backyard which we make full advantage of in this weather (it has been fabulous!) and a mere 30 seconds from the High Street.We also have a bingo hall across the road which we visited for Nathan's birthday on Friday … sadly no one won.
As most of you now know, I have booked my flights home for my visit.I will be landing in Sydney on 21 August and will head up north to Bris etc a week later.Can't wait to see you all!
Better get back to work, talk to you soon!
Lots and lots of love xoxox
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