Our honeymoon: an Egyptian vacation

Six years ago, my husband and I embarked on our Egyptian vacation as newly weds.

Always a good sleeper, I hibernated during our long flight from Chicago.

One of my husband’s many good qualities is his attention to detail and budget planning. That translates to well thought out travel plans.

Hence, our Egyptian vacation began our life together… Our driver and guide welcomed us at the sparkling clean Cairo Airport. He took us to our hotel: Le Meridian Pyramids.

We carried money for tips, including airport bathroom attendants. To be prepared, we also carried a stash of our own toilet paper.

I told everyone it was our honeymoon. We were greeted like royalty with champagne and chocolate.

Our hotel room was decorated with rose petals. Although the significance is lost on me, our bed was made with swan towels.

We experienced the history of Cairo before some rest and relaxation on the Red Sea.

We learned about the pyramids of Giza at the Sound and Light Show. The Giza Pyramids, made of limestone, date back to 3,200 B.C. Each block (a total of nearly 2,000 blocks) weights about 2 1/2 tons.

The next day, we climbed the narrow path up the middle pyramid (Khafre). Sphinx, the God of symmetry, is also in Giza.

The God of symmetry

We rode camels into the sunset…

We snacked on native treats, humus and fresh bread. Since this was during the Islamic holiday of Ramadan, which requires fasting, there were no crowds. The city came alive at night when fasting ended each day.

We could then hear the excitement of its population of 17 million, ten times ours in Chicago.

We wondered at the magnificent jewels, mummies and treasures in the Egyptian Museum with 107 halls. In 1891, it was moved to Giza Palace of “Islmail Pasha”. Those antiquities were later moved to the present building.

We drove to Sakkara, great necropolis of Memphis, or the Old Kingdom capital of the kings of the 1st and 2nd Dynasty. We admired beautiful drawings and hieroglyphs.

We hiked the Step Pyramid.

Long and winding road

We shopped the Egyptian market. Each merchant is ready to barter with the customer.

Make a deal

We visited the Coptic Hanging Church, based on the teachings of Saint Mark, who brought Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero in the First Century. It is also known as Saint Mary’s Church. There are intricate screens, icons and murals everywhere you look.

Today, Egypt is 10% Christian. Islam is the predominant religion.

Saint Mary’s Church

We cruised the River Nile before we flew to the Red Sea.

We were lucky to discover awesome rates at their Ritz Carlton. The lobby and swanky bar were ornate and sleek.

Yahoo Travel shares more about the amazing rates even at the Four Seasons.

When in Egypt, we smoked a hookah. We belly danced at dinner.

The Red Sea is so clear we practically saw tropical fish from our balcony.

Under the sea

We swam to the bottom with fish just as my Mom had 35 years ago on her travels to Israel. We did as my Mom told us and avoided the coral. 🙂

It was the trip of a lifetime!

We always felt safe and welcome. Our friend referred her family’s driver and guide for Cairo. He casually told the locals not bother us.

To be cautious, we also visited our local travel clinic at Northwestern Hospital before our trip. We made sure all our vaccines were up to date.

All of our transfers were confirmed in advance.

We returned to reality without housekeeping and table service.

Today, our toddler boys want to visit Egypt. We hope they make the trip in peace.

We’ll continue to reminisce about our Egyptian vacation adventures over dinner, when it’s just the two of us.

From my archive: Our engagement story; A French wedding guest experience

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