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Thursday 11 November 2010

Back from the Nile

We're back!

Congratulations to Hela for winning the Fleur dress give away. I do hope you love it Hela and please send us pictures of you wearing it!
Thank you to everyone who blogged, tweeted and yelped about it - it was so much fun to see all the comments and it would have been lovely to have given each and every one of you a dress, as everyone was so enthusiastic!  Nothing like something going free to get us all excited!
Speaking of the Fleur dress... look, check out the name of the French restaurant at the hotel in Egypt!
Yes, sadly enough we are home and starting to recover from our Nile adventures. The trip was A M A Z I N G.  The monuments, like the heat, were overwhelming. Even though I have seen these massive tombs and pyramids, there is a part of me that still doesn't believe they are real.
Funnily, the pyramids looked smaller to me close up. From a distance you have the perspective against a tour bus and then you really get to see the scale.
I have to say, while the kings are more famous and more powerful, some ladies of ancient Egypt were impressive for their ingenuity and shear determination. This is the temple of Hatsheput, who was an amazing lady. Quick history lesson as we were told it by our guide: Her father, the King, died. She marries her half brother to keep the throne secured (they did a lot of that), half brother/husband dies, she marries his son by a mistress (her nephew and step-son) to maintain the throne. Puts child husband in prison while she rules - as a KING (now that is cool), travelled and set up trading expeditions. Then convinces the Egyptians that she is actually the daughter of a GOD. 
Now that is some hefty PR work!
Her tomb backs on to the valley of the Kings in such a way that by the time you have reached her actual resting place, you are on the other side of the hill, effectively placing her securely in the area reserved for the Kings...Wow that's clever.
It wasn't all just sight-seeing. Evening entertainment included a Egyptian evening (above) and a "treasure hunt" which did involve me ruining my knees doing an Elvis impersonation and Wolfie wearing a dress. 

Of our trip I enjoyed cruising the Nile the best. It is very much a working river, and it was so amazing to see how the desert was visable just past the thin stretch of green land that the river kept fertile. The scenery was fascinating from the boat: Water Buffalo, cows, donkeys, goats all grazed at the waters edge, a woman hanging her washing in the bushes to dry, the entrances of tombs in the desert hillside, a busy riverside port, Trucks on a busy road, a school with rather rude little boys (whats new?), and then back to the cows taking a dip. Why I have no decent photos of that I do not know.
While I didn't get to see many Crocodiles (just one from a distance), I did get to see lots of Camels. They really are graceful creatures, (even when they have their heads through a hole in the fence and scratching their necks!). Except when they are in a hurry...  I saw one running, and would have laughed if his rider were not an armed guard.  Camels run like tipsy teenage girls, all limbs flailing around in limited efficiency and control despite their speed.
You can see what I mean here, in slow motion!

Now I am in a bit of a hurry to finish this off, why?  Well I am about to catch another plane to head home to New Zealand to visit family.  I KNOW! It is jet-setting month here!  I didn't really plan for it to happen that way, it just did.  Anyway I can be in touch from NZ and will send you some spring sunshine from there. 
Toodles

Shona x




12 comments:

  1. WELCOME BACK and BON VOYAGE! Sounds like you had a ball. And looking wonderfully tanned and gorgeous in that frock :D
    Gx

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  2. Look at you! You look gorgeous. Glad you had a great time and have fun in NZ, you jet setter, you!xxx

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  3. The pics look great, the Fleur dress looks stunning on you! Very inspiring... Enjoy New Zealand!

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  4. Fantastic pics. I have always wanted to go down the Nile, but am waiting until I can afford a paddle steamer cruise. Comes of reading too many Agatha Christie novels when I was younger.

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  5. Wow! Looks amazing, have a wonderful time with the family.xxx

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  6. I'm super jealous about all of your recent jet setting! Egypt and now New Zealand-two places on the top of my dream vacation spots!

    I've also awarded you the "One Lovely Blog" Award. Thanks for having such a great blog!

    Stephanie Lynn
    The Girl with the Star-spangled Heart
    http://star-spangledheart.blogspot.com/

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  7. Oh wow looks amazing, that is one place I would LOVE to go one day and your pics make me want to go more!!

    You look so relaxed and tanned, glad you got some relaxation in after all the work.

    Have fun at your mums, will miss you at RR but see you when you get back :o)

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  8. I would love to go to Egypt, I was obsessed with the Ancient Egyptians when I was younger, I wanted to be an Egyptologist actually!
    I love what you're wearing at the Egyptian evening, you look fab! Have fun in New Zealand! xx

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  9. Thanks Shona! Sounds like an excellent trip!

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  10. Welcome back, Shona! We missed you! I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip. Hope your trip to New Zealand is a good one too.

    You and Mr. Wolf look adorable in that Egyptian evening photo. Too bad not many crocodiles, but I would think the tipsy camels would be much more fun!

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  11. Ah that looks so fantastic! I'm so jealous!

    I'm glad you had a great time, but glad to have you back too!

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  12. Pyramid is really the awesome scenic spot. I have visited there. It’s the famous photography spot.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! I love hearing from you, even if I don't always have time to reply

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