In Cairo

An early start today, because we were leaving the ship in Suez and driving to Cairo for the day, rejoining everyone in Port Said this evening. The canal convoy was scheduled for 8am and our convoy of coaches was due to leave at 5.30am, though we had been warned that the Egyptian authorities were somewhat relaxed about the timetable.

We gathered in the restaurant and waited patiently until it was our turn to take the tender ashore - around 6.30am. We hopped on a shuttle bus for all of 100yds to the passport control point, and then climbed aboard the tour coach, guided by Viva - a lively and knowledgeable Egyptologist and our guide and hostess for the day.

The convoy assembled. Around ten or twelve coaches in all, each with a security guard on board and with black police pickup trucks interspersed through the group. When we reached a junction, the other traffic was brought to a halt so that we could pass through unimpeded and from time to time (maybe to relieve the boredom?) the police vehicles would pull alongside the coach and the young policement squatting in the back of the trucks would peer inside and smile.

We drove through vast urban sprawl, firstly that of Suez and then to the outskirts of Cairo. Rubbish littered the dusty streets and the general state of building was unfinished - to save on tax, according to Viva.

Eventually, we spotted what we'd come to see, over the tops of the blocks of scruffy flats. We'd heard that the pyramids were close to the city and the approach is less that impressive, but that was probably an understatement.

Though there were a few coaches there, we felt it was nowhere near as crowded as it might have been and having pinched ourselves to prove we were really here, we headed for the Cheops boat as recommended.

It was truly amazing and hard to imagine it was 4000 years old. Comparisons with the Mary Rose and the Vasa seemed inadequate, and I couldn't quite believe it was stitched together!

Much to see and little time though, so after another photo opportunity, we headed for the Sphinx, trying to avoid the countless (and persistent) salesmen along the way. So much tat!

It's unbelievable how quickly the time passes at such places and with everyone feeling peckish, it was time to drive over to the Mena House Hotel for a spot of lunch.

I loved the huge chandelier in the entrance portico.

Next stop was the inevitable "shopping opportunity". Don't you just hate such places? Surely we can't be the only ones who hate wasting good time hanging around amongst the tacky souvenirs on offer. But hang around we did, wondering what kind of a home could accommodate such chairs? Not ours, that's for sure!

Final stop of the day was the Egyptian Museum where Tutankhamun's treasures lay in store for us, the mummy room was said to be fascinating and countless other antiquities awaited our attention. No photographs here, sadly, so I will simply have to say that we were awestruck by the exhibits. To view Rameses 2nd's mummified body, with hair intact after 3000-odd years, view the beautiful craftsmanship in the items for the Pharoah's tombs and last but not least, that oh-so-familiar King Tut's death mask itself rounded the day off brilliantly.

After tea at the Nile Hilton, we jumped back on board our coach, reassembled the convoy and, having fought our way through the incredible Cairo traffic, we sped up the motorway to Port Said, where the ship (and hundreds of T shirt salesmen) were waiting.

"Welcome Home" said the officer on the gangplank.

Rose red city

Today we berthed in Aqaba, Jordan, which meant that we were looking forward to the opportunity of a trip to Petra, one of our "must-sees". Changes in the schedule for the transit of the Suez Canal meant that arrangements had been changed a little, so we had a morning to look around the city before heading off on our tour.

We really didn't know what to expect from this Jordanian city and yet we were surprised to find it rather smaller, rather simpler than we imagined. Not only that, but all hopes of adding to the pashmina and sandal collection were dashed as we discovered that the product of the moment here would appear to be polyester blankets with designs most kindly described as "not to our taste".

But still, it was fascinating to wander around the streets, discover the recommended nut store, Al Sha'ab and buy almonds and cashews along with the locals.

After coming across a delightful bakery store with all kinds of goodies such as baklava and fresh flatbreads, we returned to the ship for lunch and to change ready for our tour.

Welcome to Jordan was the greeting accompanying a rose and some of the local baklava we'd seen being made earlier in the day. We did indeed feel welcome and our guide, Maui (surely not, but the best we could guess) spent much of the two hour journey to Petra introducing us to much interesting information about his country.

We drove through arid countryside, past Bedouin encampments and across valleys said to be where Moses lived in Biblical times. The scenery was magnificent, bleak and open, with surprisingly few traces of humans - except for the black plastic carrier bag. Seldom were we out of sight of one of these omnipresent items and the sight of them was surely enough to convince anyone of the need to restrict their use.

As we got closer to Petra, the landscape changed and became more rocky. Small villages clung to the sides of the mountains in similar nature to those of Andalucia and the hint that we were nearing our destination came in the names of the businesses.

So, here we were. Shame to say, we had no idea of what to expect yet again. We'd listened to the lectures. read up about it and heeded warnings about a lengthy walk to the site, requiring comfortable closed shoes, sunscreen and a hat.

But we were surprised to find ourselves walking down a well-trodden path - where was that bit we'd seen in the pictures?

Oh, wow....look....we must be getting there soon

Maybe around this next corner?

Our guide was good and stopped us from time to time to point out some feature or other. We listened intently and tried to avoid being knocked over by one of the careering pony carts which rattled up and down at breakneck speed.

Deeper and deeper into the canyon or Siq, we went. Was this how we'd imagined it to be?

Not really, in our case at least. By now it was 4.30pm and most were leaving, the sun was lower in the sky and it was a comfortable temperature.

So many interesting features along the way

including this remains of a camel and an accompanying soldier. Isn't the fabric of the skirt wonderful?

Further along this Indiana Jones pathway, we were building ourselves up for the gasp as Maui suggested we step in single file close to the wall.....and then step across to the other side and look

Oh my goodness....there it was.....how amazing.

Even though the majority had headed home by now, it still seemed like the world, his wife and all of their camels were there to take photos. We joined them and gawped at the Treasury which was as magnificent as we imagined, didn't disappoint one jot and kept us enthralled for ages.

And there it was too, the plastic bag - pink this time - blowing in the breeze.

Several pictures later, we continued as far as the theatre, by which time the light was beginning to go and, taking Maui's warning that it would take us an hour to walk back, decided to leave the further reaches of the site for a future visit, for we will return, I hope.

On the way back, we noticed the colouration of the rocks more, the bands which could have been painted - but of course, were a completely natural feature of this sandstone. Amazing.

After a short rest in the cool Movenpick hotel (and a visit to the Ladies!) we rejoined our coach which would transport us to the event of the evening - dinner under the stars at Little Petra.

Can you believe that 400 of us gathered for dinner by candlelight in the shadow of Little Petra last night? Entertained by a band of Jordanian musicians and later, by a troupe of belly dancers, we sat and dined in the most magical setting possible.

Desert nights can be chilly however, and so, having polished off another plate of baklava, we headed back to the warmth of the coach for the journey back to the ship where a warm welcome in the form of a glass of champagne was ready and waiting.

Sadly it didn't last long enough for a photo!

A day at sea, pt 2 - after lunch

Lunch is usually from the pool grill, where each day there is a different array of very appetising dishes to tempt us. Today was an American-style barbecue with steaks and salad, corn on the cob and baked potatoes. Any resolve to go without lunch usually fails and a selection from the ice cream cart just finishes the meal nicely.

Not much time for an afternoon nap, then, before it's time for the Art Class and a cool break indoors playing with fabric and thread and catching up with the chatter. There are plenty of other activities on offer - at the other end of the room where the art group meet, there's a bunch playing poker. In addition, there's usually an interesting "enrichment lecture" in the theatre and on occasion an art auction. Perhaps I'll write about the "art" on board in a later entry!

Anyway, today I finished my "kantha quilt"

Late afternoon is time to blog, upload pictures and perhaps visit that other small room.

Shower and change too, because, before long, it will be cocktail time and a gin and tonic will be just the ticket.

Decision time over dinner, shall it be four courses or the full seven? Which restaurant? Red or white wine? (that one's easy...both!) The food on board is top notch, we are always spoiled for choice and if there's nothing we fancy, we can order anything - anything - we choose.

Then, after dinner, the theatre for a show. We've enjoyed a sparkling performance by a Broadway "belter", Jeri Sager and an Irish baritone, Nyle Wolff, accompanied not only by the resident band but also a shot of Drambuie on the rocks.

After the show, many go on to a quiz, to the gaming tables or to dancing and more drinks. We, being the more abstemious sort, retire to our suite, where Farida has left us a chocolate, tomorrow's programme and an extra, nice surprise

We have an extra hour!

The power of branding

The power of branding is that I have no idea what it says but know exactly what it is.

Pirates!

Our "parrot" jokes about the security team now patrolling the decks after dark went a little quiet after we heard of the French yacht seized by pirates off the coast of Sudan on the very same night we had been in the area. Indeed, the Captain took great trouble to issue a reassuring message since many were fearful of a similar fate.

But we are well taken care of. Our route takes us further from the risky area nearer to the coast and we sped through that particular region as quickly as possible. The security guards patrol the well lit upper deck throughout the night, wearing high visibility jackets and keeping a watchful eye open for any suspicious approaches.

All the same, we kept our balcony doors locked.

We hear the French yacht was sailing close inland, had only crew on board and though it has been traced, all are still being held hostage. The French Navy are sailing to their rescue, we are told, prompting the question from one American shipmate "are they any good?" Sad to say, no-one had the answer.