Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Wonderful weather.....and a BIG journey begins to take shape!!!!

Up early....and then when the 1st Lady got up, we headed down the hill at a very good clip......a morning two mile walk in 30 minutes. It was in the upper 50's when we began....and it was just wonderful weather to be doing this "power walk"!!

Returning.....I pumped some iron for another 30 mintes .....maybe a bit more than that....and then it was French Roast on the patio. Somehow the morning slipped away very quickly.......and so did most of the afternoon. But........

By late afternoon I had a discussion with the 1st Lady about a major journey late this fall.......and she agreed. Now if we can just get the research done and the details worked out and decide whether to take a small group tour or do the trip on our own...........we will be going to Egypt in early November with a side trip to Jordan to go visit Petra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't think BIG.....nothing BIG will ever happen........soooooo, with Life getting shorter with each passing day, it is time to go see and do some of the things and places we have always wanted to visit. I have been thinking about this all during the time she was up at her Mother's and so......I have some quotes on prices from Egyptian tour companies.....and it is not really all that high. I want to spend a couple of days in Cairo....then fly to either Luxor or Aswan and then take the 3-4 day Nile cruise to whichever place we don't fly into. A side trip from there will be to Abu Simbel to the Ramses palace ruins.....which is down closer to Sudan. Then at the end of the cruise.....of which we will go to the Vally of the Kings, Karnak, etc., etc....and perhaps a balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings........from there we will fly back to Cairo for a day or two.

Then if it can all be worked out with schedules and reservations, we will fly to Amman, Jordan and then travel overland to Petra to see one of the newest declared Seven Wonders of the World. Back to Amman and then to Cairo and then back to the states.

EXCITING!!! Much work must be done to make many decisions that have to be made........I do not want to go on a LARGE tourist bus tour.....have done that 11 times through Europe. Hopefully, we can find a small group....perhaps 8 or less....for a tour group. The other option is hiring a guide who is an Egyptologist...registered....and who will go with us throughout the Egypt portion.

Sooooo, many hours need to be spent here online and on the phone to get this BIG idea to come to fruition. Want to leave during the 1st week of November and be gone from 14-17 days. The weather will be cooler over there at that time which is important. Don't want to be riding around the Pyramids on a camel in 100+ degrees!!!!

Will keep you posted on this journey as it develops. MUST find out where there are internet cafes or online service..........THAT is important. Also.......the use of cell phones internationally and what is needed to be able to call/connect......while cruising up/down the Nile.

Ahhhhhh........with BIG thoughts come BIG plans and then BIG experiences.....which only goes to make certain that......

LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!

1 comment:

Keith said...

This is great John! Now this is why I read your blog. Hope you get the trip planned and have a great one. Can't wait to be there with you on the web since I will never make that trip, I am sure.