Our last day in Sharm was a wonderful laid back day of shopping and a "Cleopatra Massage" in the spa at the resort. After the diving and climbing in and out of the pyramids, I really needed it! We topped off the day with an ATV safari. We were driven out into the desert where we each rode an ATV farther out into the desert. There were 100's of ATVs and many were in questionable condition. The fenders were held together with duct tape and screws, throttles were really stiff or really loose and brakes were iffy. Sometimes they would just stop running. It was quite a contrast between 3rd world adaptations with US equipment. And lots and lots of fun! We had a blast!
We rode to a bedouin camp where we had tea and got to bake fresh bread over an open fire. It looked like a big flour tortilla but baked to a wonderful chewy texture. Afterwards we rode camels and then mounted our ATVs to go farther into the desert. We went to a compound where we had dinner buffet style, sitting on cushions. Xime and I smoked a hookah and were treated to native dances and a whirling dervish. It was all lit up with colored lights with a big stage. A little surreal. Once most of the other people had departed, we got to stargaze with 3 telescopes. As you can imagine, it was very, very dark out there. There were no clouds so it was a perfect night. Then we rode back in the dark. Quite a thrill ride! (Pictures of our desert safari)
May 17th we flew back to Cairo and everyone went their separate ways, for the most part. Marleea (a friend I met on the trip) and I decided to go see the Pyramids and Sphinx lit up at night. Co travelers, Jeff and Paul were staying at a charming boutique hotel right next to the pyramids so we went there to enjoy the sunset and decadent fruit drinks. It was beautiful and a vey different perspective on the Pyramids. Afterwards we went to dinner in the Cairo Tower (Information on the Cairo Tower) The tower is the most remarkable contemporary monument in Egypt and is a vivid contrast to the Pyramids. It is located on Zamalek, an island in the middle of the Nile. The restaurant is on the top of the tower at almost 525 ft and revolves to see a 360' panorama of Cairo and Giza. It also has a outdoor platform for truly incredible views. (Pictures of my last day in Egypt)
My flight for Heathrow departed at 7am so it was a short night! I have to tell you, if you think security is bad in the US, go through it in the Cairo airport. Women and men are in separate lines and you get a pat down search at each checkpoint, of which there are many! I finally got to my departure area and got some real coffee, not Nescafe. Yea! Once we were airborne we were able to see the Pyramids from the air. So cool! Check out the pictures. (Cairo from the air). My flight home was 11 hours, from Cairo to Denver vs 30 hours from Denver to Cairo. Crazy. Some of our group were going on to Jordon to dive and they shared some pictures too.
I was glad to get home but really sad for my travels to end. It truly was a trip of a lifetime!
I hope you enjoy the story.
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