Egypt Contiki: Kiss my Sphinx

The first day of our Egypt Contiki tour blew my mind.

Up early, dressed, hair done and ready to explore Cairo, our first stop was the Egyptian Museum. The museum neighbours the city square at the heart of the recent Egyptian revolution and protests, where tents, graffiti and burned buildings act as a constant reminder of the resent unrest. 

The Egyptian museum in Cairo with a building burned during protests

It was clear that the protests had affected tourism in Egypt. Our tour guide, Sherif, explained that only a little over a year ago millions of people would visit Egypt and the museum per year, compared with the fraction of tourists at present.

As a result, no lines or crowds allowed us to see every room inside the museum, showcasing ancient paintings, carvings, sculptures and treasures. A highlight was King Tut’s Golden Mask, preserved and displayed in the museum.

We had the option to view the Mummy Room; with the warning that people often get nightmares afterwards. Naturally, curiosity got the better of us.

It was cold in the room, and very quiet. Hard to imagine that the remains of mummified royals, as well as some animals, were so well preserved that some still had a full head of hair or set of teeth.

The ancient Egyptians believed in preparing those for the afterlife, mummifying the remains and enclosing them in tombs. The pyramids of Giza, only a short drive from the Museum in Cairo are an example of these tombs.

Built by Pharaoh Khufu, the Great Pyramid is the largest ever built and the oldest of the Wonders of the World. Our guide Sherif recounted many different reactions people have when faced with the pyramids, with some breaking down into tears. My reaction was a little closer to, “wooooooooooooo!”

A woohoo moment at the Pyramids

Since the revolution, security around the pyramid is lacking. However, this allowed us the opportunity to climb the Great Pyramid. Cool huh? It gets better.

Chillin' on the Great Pyramid of Giza

I thought going on my dad’s motorbike for the first time was exciting. I thought the Superman rollercoaster at Movie World was thrilling. I thought driving a jet ski independently for the first time was exhilarating.

But now I can say that I’ve ridden a camel through the Sahara Desert in awe of the pyramids.

Keen as a jelly bean, I was the first in the group up on a camel. We were led out into the desert to sneak a unique view of the pyramids. Linked together by a rope and led out by locals, I was initially shaky on this new mode of transport.

But after chatting with my handler, I was off racing camels through the sand. There were no reins like on a horse, only one rope to guide the camel. The handler gave my camel a little whip and I was “wooohooo-ing” and “ahhhhhhhh-ing” from the pyramids back to the bus.

Loving Life!

The wind and sand in my hair, with the pyramids in the background, I felt like one of Charlie’s Angels.

So. Much. Fun.

Still on a high from camel riding, we then had the opportunity to go inside a pyramid. The stairs down were steep, and the underground chambers were hot. It was exciting and eerie to climb underground and explore the tunnels.

Walking like Egyptians

Next up, kissing the Sphinx.

Sitting on the Great Pyramid, venturing inside a pyramid, kissing the Sphinx, and riding a camel through the desert. Pretty awesome day.

It was 4pm before we even thought about food. Lunch was a traditional Egyptian meal full of spiced dips and meats, delicious. Perfect end to a day I’ll never forget.

Charlie's Angel, Nikki x

Egypt Contiki: Leaving home

Waking up on the morning of our date of departure, I went into my sister’s room with my first moment of doubt.

“I may have underestimated six months”.

“Too late now”, she said.

I was leaving home for the longest time in my 21 years. After a teary farewell at the airport, two nine hour flights and a bout of food poisoning, we made it to our first destination, Cairo, Egypt. 

 

International departures, Melbourne Airport

During the drive from the airport I experienced a huge culture shock. Cairo definitely did not look like Melbourne. I noticed rubbish lining the streets, unfinished apartment buildings, and particulalry the different road rules. Not only were people driving on the opposite side to Australia, they seemed to be obeying no rules at all. It was simultaneously scary, exciting and intriguing.

Cars double and triple parked in the streets

Although we fought sleep, landing at 5am in the morning with the time zone difference encouraged us to check into our hotel, and take a little nap. Alarm was turned  off at 2pm, and at 7pm we finally stirred. Jetlag sucks.

Hungry and keen to explore Cairo, we got directions to a restaurant located on 26^th of July Street. Not able to read any of the street signs and still half asleep, we wandered the streets before going back to bed without dinner.

Then, at 4:30am, a strange noise came from out in the streets. Right outside our window.

There were trumpets, a voice over a loudspeaker. Singing.

Prayer call.

Omg, so loud.

This happened again at 5am, and several times throughout the day. Would not expect to hear this in Melbourne!

Livi taking in Cairo from our hotel window

Our first real day in Cairo we met our new roommate and decided we would venture outside again to buy food when a lady staying in the hotel overheard us and offered to take us to a restaurant.

She was later called the crazy lady.

Claiming she knew her way around the city she took us through winding streets, past shops and street side markets. She even tried to put us into a cab, going “to the bazaar, of course”.

Deciding to fend for ourselves, we made our way back to the hotel in a cab (who knows where this woman took us) for some traditional spaghetti bolognese.  As we were advised not to drink the water in Egypt, we were very careful about fresh foods washed in water and which hadn’t been cooked. Fair to say we ate a lot of bread and pasta.

That night we met our Contiki group, and finally found the restaurant, GAD, on 26^th of July Street. Success! Interestingly, a margherita pizza came out with vegetables on top.

An early night was essential to combat jetlag, and to prepare for the massive day ahead. Also to brace ourselves for the 4:30am prayer-call-wake-up-call.

Yours in jetlag, Nikki

Egypt Contiki: Walk, Party and Play like an Egyptian

Egypt Contiki tour was one of the best weeks of my life.

We did and saw so many incredible things, met some great people and had fits of laughs.

We saw the pyramids, the Sphinx, the Sahara Desert, the Nile, King Tut’s mask, real life mummies, temples, tombs, the Valley of the Kings, the Red Sea, markets, and Abu Simbel.

In Egypt we travelled by bus, plane, cruiser, cruise boat, felucca, horse and carriage, camel, and train.

Cities visited were Cairo, Aswan, Edfu, Luxor and Hurghada.

We drank Egyptian wine, Egyptian vodka, Egyptian tequila, went to an Egyptian nightclub, saw a belly dancing show, and snorkelled in the Red Sea.

We met South Africans, Canadians, Japanese, Germans, Americans and fellow Aussies.

We had a huge culture shock, learnt to haggle and most importantly had a desert load of fun.

And I rode a camel through the Sahara Desert. Awesome!

Waki Waki Contiki!

Yours in camel riding, Nikki

Pack-pack-packing

The time to come, the time to pack. Time to fit the contents of my wardrobe (and floordrobe) into a 75L backpack.

Friends, family and colleagues have been quick to lend advice when it comes to packing. I’ve been told to pack what I think I need, and then halve it (are you serious?), that six dresses are too many to take (sooo not too many), do not take heels (pleeeease), and take only what you need (are you crazy I need all of this stuff).

I wrote an initial list of everything I wanted to pack and started setting clothes out on my couch; it began in chaos.

Then over the past two weeks I continually added to and took away from the pile, before reaching a combination of clothing and accessories I was happy with.

Practice packs are essential to gauge not only how much can fit in the backpack, but also how heavy it will be. As many outfits that I want to take away (six months is a long time, you know), I will have to carry everything by myself. Falling onto my back like a turtle would not be ideal.

From my practice packs I learned that pretty much everything I had on my list would fit in my backpack, and weigh close to my goal of 15kg.

So what did I end up taking? Too many clothes and not enough common sense.

But I got my dress selection down to five, an achievement in itself.

Actually fitting stuff into the pack was hard. With the help of my Madre’s Tetris packing skills we managed to squeeze in most items.

Packing cells from Kathmandu have been useful to house different items such as cords, medications, and clothes I won’t need until we hit the warmer climates. As we will be living out of backpacks, these cells or even zip-lock bags are great for dividing different shoes and garments.

Toiletries are freaking heavy. I had to buy travel minis of shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant and the like, to bring down the overall weight.

Take heavy jumpers and jackets on the plane to avoid packing them. They can then be used as blankets or pillows, and act as a little extra comfort for those long flights and whilst waiting in airports.

The most important thing is that the backpack is manageable enough to carry. I travelled around Italy for a month with a broken suitcase, resulting in some painful bruises.

And further advice I was given, whatever we have forgotten to pack we can always buy while we’re over there. Yay, shopping!

Nik-Nik-Nikki

P.R.E.P.A.R.E. Find out what it means to me

All I’m asking, is for a little preparation when you get home, (just a little bit).

Mental, physical and financial preparation has been paramount to getting ready for six months away from home. Besides the hours googling accommodation in unfamiliar cities, meetings with travel agents, and revising the itinerary almost weekly, I’ve had to make some adjustments to my every day life.

Spending habits have had to change. It hit me after splurging an easy two hundy on a gold silk Zimmerman singlet – which I love, and which I wear every second day to get my cost per wear – that I needed to be stricter with my money. Look for items you can skimp on, and shop from asos.com instead of mycatwalk.com.au. Take your lunch to work every day, and instead of spending your dollars on shots at bars in Melbourne, save them for shots at bars in Greece.

I also suggest keeping as low maintenance as possible. For the past year I have been dying my dark brown hair blonde all in the name of fun. However I will not let the cost, time and regrowth dictate our trip. Therefore I have gone from this once a month:

To this:

And more recently, this:

My travelling buddy Ash also did the big colour change, to minimise the maintenance and cost. Our money is sweeter than honey too, Aretha.   

In physically preparing for the trip, I’ve realised we will be doing a heck of a lot of walking and heavy lifting. With our packs weighing an average 15-20kg, we want our bodies up to the challenge of hauling our beloved clothes and shoes from city to city (or bus door to hostel door). Over the last four months I have upped my back weights in Pump classes and made an effort to walk before or after work. So far I am ignoring advice to pack lightly. If there is a will, there is a way.  I will carry my clothes up mountains to reach hostels if that’s what it takes!

Over the past few months I have also been more aware of my mentality and temperament. I will get home sick, I will get tired and cranky, and I will want chocolate. And coffee. And ice cream. Not overreacting to small problems, being organised to minimise stress, and keeping my attitude in check have been a great start. Travelling in a small group will be challenging, considering we will be living together and up in each other’s grill all day every day. So taking the time out now to practice snapping out of bad moods and talking out issues calmly has been valuable.

Moral of the story, start preparing early while you can. There’s no point waiting until two weeks before you leave, you need longer than that to develop habits and notice change. (Just a little bit) of preparation will make for smoother sailing while you are literally sailing the islands of Croatia.

Nikki ‘Morticia’ Franklin

Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, waaaaaahhhhhhhooooo