Egypt

Went Egypt with my boss and colleague for our company's global meeting. It was such a rewarding trip and I was still pretty excited about the destination despite a little disappointment in the beginning. Being able to see the Pyramids right before my eyes was just so magnificent and awesome !

This is the pyramids and the Sphinx in the day........

This is the pyramids and the Spinx in the night....

The next day, we took a domestic flight to Aswan to board our 3 nights cruise along River Nile. Before we board the cruise, we paid a visit to Philae Island and we had to take a boat to the island to marvel at the temple ruins.

The temperature rose to 36 degree celsius in Aswan and there was practically not much shade or shelter at the ruins. And so all of us have to walk under the hot sun.

Ancient Egyptian art carved onto the rocks and stones of the walls of the temple. So of them are so tall that we wonder how the ancient people do it.

A nicely carved lotus like leaf or flowers on a tall pillar. There are so many of such pillars around and some of them have closed petals.

Finally we got to board the cruise ship. There were so many such similar ships docked along this part of the river. If we are gonna to find our own ships, sure board the wrong one !

Before we returned to the ship for dinner, we took a sailing boat, a felucca ride, to Old Cataract Hotel to watch the sunset. Sitting by the balcony of the Old Cataract Hotel, watch the sun sets, while the sailing boats drift along the Nile River, was such a peaceful and tranquil moment. I felt so relax suddenly and was enjoying every moment of it !

The next morning after breakfast, the cruise sailed and we dock at Kom Ombo to visit its ruined temple.

The temperature was getting too hot by then and I had to use my umbrella to block away some rays while continuing the sightseeing.

That night, we had a dress up party and all of us were dressed up in Egyptian costumes and we had a good laugh at each other.

We had breakfast on the sun deck the next morning while we continued to cruise down the River Nile. Enjoying the morning cool breeze while gazing the scenery and enjoying the breakfast was such a luxury that I am still missing that moment now.

The afternoon was spent to visit the Luxor Temple. There was so many people there. Following the guide and try to listen to his commentary was quite difficult as too many groups were visiting the temple at the same time.

Rows of sphinxs on both sides of the walk path leading up to the Luxor Temple. We were told it used to be as long as 2km but unfortunately, a huge portion of them were destroyed.

We also visited the UNESCO site - Valley of the Kings. The resting place of many Egyptian kings who were buried underground. Some of them are buried so deep underground that we have to walk long routes underground or to do 'step aerobic' to underground.

We didn't have the time to visit the temple of the Queen and so we can only do on top of a pile of sand and took pictures of it from afar.

We also visited the Kahlili Bazaar on our free day as there wasn't a connecting flight to go home immediately after the meeting ends. And we managed to get some souvenirs here for our colleagues who worked hard in the office while we were at meeting and sightseeing in Egypt.