Excited to be on the inaugural West Coast sailing of the Oceania Vista. So far the ship is beautiful, there’s so much space and the culinary scene is great.
Excited for the sail away on the new Oceania Vista with such a beautiful evening and sunset. Then off to explore some of the options on the ship for pre-dinner cocktails 🍸
Setting sail on the inaugural West Coast journey of the Oceania Vista. There is simply no better way to cruise than aboard the intimate, elegant ships of Oceania Cruises.
Oceania Cruises is renowned as having the finest cuisine at sea, they create culinary masterpieces using only the best ingredients and the most talented chefs from around the globe – dinner was delicious!
The staterooms on the Oceania Vista have soothing tones and are detailed with multiple layers of luxurious furnishings, accents and artwork, it is a welcoming home away from home. I love my Concierge Veranda, it is spacious and comfortable, plus it has access to the Concierge Lounge.
It’s a long journey to Egypt and since I couldn’t leave a day earlier, it was even longer. LAX to London Heathrow and rest for a little while, then on to Cairo.
A few hours later, a flight from Cairo to Aswan, then from Aswan to Abu Simbel. So excited to see the temples of Abu Simbel!
The Temples at Abu Simbel were built by Rameses II in 1200 BC, 3200 years ago. The two massive temples are carved into natural rock formations. The main temple has four monolithic 66-foot statues of Ramses II at the entrance and it is carved 185 feet deep into the sandstone. The temples are dedicated to sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte.
We boarded our Nile River Cruise in Aswan and will cruise to Luxor. It meanders through panoramic desert landscapes, farmlands, colorful villages and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I’ll experience the ancient glory of Egypt’s greatest temples, palaces and tombs for the next few days.
The ship is beautiful and spacious and the 6 course meals at lunch and dinner are delicious.
Today was a busy day in Aswan where we visited the Temple of Kom Ombo and the mummified crocodiles.
The Temple of Edfu, the most preserved temple in Egypt. Having the hieroglyphics along the walls, explained by our Egyptologist guide, was fascinating.
Today was so nice, relaxed on the sundeck at the pool and watched the beautiful landscapes go by. This evening was a special themed dinner on the sundeck as well, Arabian Nights. The food and entertainment was amazing!
Gently floating over the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of some of the greatest Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The sun is rising as we slowly go over ancient temples and forgotten ruins. This was so worth the 3:30am wake-up.
After taking a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings, we went there to explore the tombs. The Valley of the Kings has immense historical importance, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley is renowned for its tombs, which were built for the Pharaohs, was used as a royal burial site for over 500 years and is home to some of the world’s most remarkable and well-preserved ancient monuments. The area was chosen because of its remote location and proximity to Thebes, modern-day Luxor, the capital city of ancient Egypt. It was also chosen because it was believed that the gods would protect those buried here from grave robbers.
We were very lucky to have the Chief Director and archaeologist of the Valley of the Kings, Dr. Ali, spend time with us and tell us all about the area, the history and the current projects. He answered our questions, was such a source of knowledge and exciting to talk to!
These are the types of exclusive experiences that we can arrange for you when you want to visit Egypt, you will truly be a VIP.
The dazzling Temple of Hatshepsu…one of the world’s most influential early female leaders. She was one of only a few female pharaohs in thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history, only sons were allowed to succeed their fathers. Hatshepsut altered her image to be more masculine. She was one of the most prolific builders in Egyptian history and the temple is a perfect example.
The temple complex of Karnak is the largest religious building ever built, and was constructed over a span of 2,000 years (between 1570–1090 BC), so it’s around 4,000 years old in total! It is a complex of sanctuaries, pylons and obelisks. it’s large enough to contain about 10 cathedrals. It is also famous for its hypostyle hall – a spectacular forest of giant papyrus-shaped columns. There are two interesting avenues that used to connect the temples, one has ram-headed sphinxes and the other is 3km long and has human headed sphinxes connecting all the way to Luxor Temple.
One of the things I found most fascinating was that it is also considered the earliest Christian church in the world. During the 4th century AD, Christians we’re persecuted for their faith so they had to hide it but there are signs all over the temple. Look at the last few pictures, you’ll see the disciples on the pillars and a cross that was made from a statue of three people standing side by side. The two on either side of the middle person had only their chest area left, the rest was cut out and it made a cross.
My home for the next few days, the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza Located in the heart of Cairo on the banks of the River Nile. It’s is a peaceful retreat in the middle of a city that moves at a frenetic pace. The accommodations are so quiet and comfortable, I don’t even want to venture out…but I have to see the pyramids!!
Khan el-Khalili souk is a very rich and vibrant market that has been trading since the 14th century! I loved immersing myself in the vibrant atmosphere and enjoyed a delicious lunch of Egyptian specialities while in the souk!
Today was for the museums… the biggest and most well-known museum in Egypt, the Egyptian Museum, holds the world’s largest collection of pharaonic antiquities. But mostly known as the place where you can see the infamous King Tutankhamun collection, complete with his sarcophagus and gold burial mask. But no photos allowed 😣
Next was the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Here one of the highlights is the gallery of the Royal Mummies, this is a quiet, tomb-like space where I saw 20 royal mummies that are thousands of years old, including some of the most famous pharaohs of all time like Ramses II. I couldn’t help staring at them and all the details for so long. Again no photos but the ones at the end are not my photos, just from the museum so you can get an idea of what we saw.
Our guide was exceptional in his knowledge of everything in the museums, plus he was able to get us a private sit down with the curator of the museum. It was amazing hearing him talk about it and be able to ask questions.
Good evening Cairo…the evening started with cocktails at The Bar 🍸
The Step Pyramid of Djoser, constructed at Saqqara about 4,700 years ago, was the first pyramid the Egyptians ever built and the oldest complete stone building complex known in history. Saqqara served as the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis in the Sahara Desert.
The last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the great pyramids of Giza.
They are the most famous structures in history and I can’t believe I am here standing in front of them!
The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, a check off the bucket list ✔️
Another unreal moment for me in Egypt, standing in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza! The Sphinx is about 4,500 years old, one of the world’s largest monuments and one of the most recognizable relics of the ancient Egyptians. The Sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion, the face is thought to represent the Pharoah Khafre from the 4th dynasty.
Lunch today at Cairo’s most historic hotel, Mena House. It was originally a hunting lodge built for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, it eventually became a hotel in 1887. This legendary hotel has played host to kings, queens and heads of state and lies in the shadow of the great pyramids of Giza.
Goodbye Egypt! We had a great farewell dinner at the home of our hosts in Cairo. It was a beautiful evening and we were treated to a special guest, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Waziry. Listening to his stories was fascinating, from the past, the present and future plans. We were able to ask all the questions we’ve ever had about ancient Egypt and the pyramids! It was a whirlwind week and the best time! Thank you Farid, George, Walid and the whole team for sharing your country and ensuring that we experience Egypt the right way, it was the trip of a lifetime.
Please reach out when you are ready to go to Egypt. It is a complicated trip and you really need the help of a good travel advisor to make sure it is perfect and enjoyable.
After my layover and rest in Qatar, I am on my way to Johannesburg, South Africa. The flight is another 9 hours from Doha.
In Johannesburg, South Africa — What a change from Qatar! I flew into Johannesburg and walked out to a temperature of 61° from 101°, felt refreshing! Met two new friends and looking forward to this week in South Africa.
In Dullstroom, South Africa — We had lunch in this adorable little town. It’s known for its fly fishing so I had to have the smoked trout pancakes and the local town beer for lunch.
At Blyde River Canyon, South Africa — Today we set out for Kruger and drove the Panorama Route in the Mpumalanga province. It is one of the Africa’s great natural wonders and one of the world’s most beautiful driving routes. We stopped at Blyde River Canyon, the world’s third largest canyon, and the Three Rondavels for some beautiful views!
At God’s Windows — More along the Panorama Route, these highlands in Mpumalanga are famed for some of the province’s most spectacular scenery. There are lush mountain peaks, magnificent waterfalls, and raging rivers. We hiked up to a view called God’s Window and Rainforest with views to Mozambique.
Off to Kruger! Biltong is like our beef jerky but so much better. We snacked on it all the time, buying it whenever we saw it. All different types like beef, impala, wildebeest, steenbock and lots more. I also loved the dried mango with it 🥭
At Ndula Lodge – Our lodge is located in Mpumalanga Lowveld region of South Africa near the town of White River. Close to Kruger National Park, the Blyde River Canyon and the scenic Panorama Route we drove to get here. The name “Ndhula” means “Giraffe” in the local Zulu language. They are all over the property!
Safari Day One, Part 1, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Up at 4am to leave for the park at 5am, we were all so excited! While the weather is nice, high sixties to low seventies, it is very chilly that early, about fifty degrees, so we were all bundled up in the open air vehicle. We saw two of the Big Five already, a lion and a water Buffalo. The lion was resting behind a tree and we kept a good distance away, would have liked a closer picture but I was comfortable at this distance! The second was the water Buffalo and it was just a fierce looking!! We also saw zebras, impalas, a hippo, crocodiles and a wart hog.
A boma dinner is a quintessential part of an authentic African safari. Boma is a Swahili word for an enclosure and refers to the wall or fence that surrounds the area where people are dining – to protect them from any surprise visits from wildlife. There is always a fire and the thrill of being outside in the bush at night and under the twinkling African stars. There is storytelling, dancing, drumming and delicious food and drinks.
At Kruger National Park — Safari Day One and Two, Kruger National Park, South Africa
The game drives we were on start at 6am and last until 3pm. We take about 3 breaks during this time to stretch and eat since we sit in the vehicle for hours looking for wildlife. We also stay pretty quiet as to not disturb the animals. This increases our chances of seeing more and also keeps them from getting aggressive towards us. When you are inside the vehicle they really don’t notice you much as they are used to the vehicles and don’t see them as a threat. It’s when you make noise or stick your body out that can cause problems. We saw the third and fourth Big Five animal, the elephant and the rhino! We saw so many elephants, they are huge and also cute, especially the babies. It was great to see the rhinos because there aren’t too many left due to poaching. We also saw so many giraffes, baboons and vultures. It was a great day!
At Kruger National Park — So excited to see the last of the Big Five, the leopard!! They are usually hard to find and when in trees with their spots, it acts as a camouflage. Right at the base of that tree is a hyena waiting for scraps to fall from the kill that was in the tree with the leopard.
We were also lucky to see two cheetah, they are not Big Five but not seen often either, so it was a good day!
Today I am so happy, checking off another bucket list experience….an African Safari and seeing all of the Big Five! 🦁🦏🐘🐆🐃
We left Kruger this morning with a stop in Pretoria before getting to the airport in Johannesburg. The Union Buildings are named for the Union of South Africa, which was formed in 1910, while the buildings were being planned. In 1961 the country changed its name to the Republic of South Africa, but the Union Buildings kept their original name. There is a 9 meter tall Nelson Mandela statue there as well where there were a lot of school kids who wanted to take photos with us.
From there we flew from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg south to Cape Town. Romney Park is where I am staying in Greenpoint, my room is large and very cozy, a big change from the tented camp!
A great start to a Cape Town visit is to go to wine country. We started at A beautiful wine estate overlooking False Bay! We had a gorgeous day for wine & cheese and beautiful views in Cape Town.
The Victoria & Albert Waterfront is the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s so picturesque and we were here as the sun was setting so it had a nice glow.
It’s impossible to find a spot that’s not in the shadow of Table Mountain, it dominates the city’s skyline and is Cape Town’s most prominent landmark. It’s hard to plan when to visit because the clouds roll in and out so quickly but I was lucky and had gorgeous views over the city and the ocean.
We woke up to a chilly and drizzly morning in Cape Town but it cleared it very nicely for our trip to wine country. Our first stop was a winery in Paarl called Fairview. We had a tasting paired with local cheeses and wandered around the beautiful grounds. Paarl is located north of both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and the third oldest settlement in South Africa.
After our first wine tasting in Paarl, we stopped in the town of Franschhoek. It means “French Corner” because of the French settlers who lived there. It is known for having some of the top restaurants in the country, a strong wine culture, pristine natural and architectural beauty. This is what has made Franschhoek into what many describe as the “food and wine capital” of South Africa. It is absolutely beautiful, we walked around, stopped for a bite to eat and shopped before going to Stellenbosch. The weather was really nice now and we loved the town.
Moving on from Franschhoek in wine country, we made our way to Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is like the Napa Valley of South African wine. The Cape Winelands is such a stunning part of SA, made up of three main wine areas. We started in Paarl, then moved on to Franschhoek and now Stellenbosch. These valleys produce some of the world’s finest wines, and Stellenbosch dominates this wine scene in terms of quality. We did a wine tasting and lunch in a beautiful wine cellar at Lanzerac. It was so beautiful in the cellar and of course the wine was amazing.
On our way to see the penguins we took Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives. It runs along the Atlantic south of Cape Town towards the Cape of Good Hope with 114 curves. The road is amazing, it was hacked into the near vertical face of the mountain! While I enjoyed the scenic drive, our destination was to Boulders in Table Mountain National Park to see the African Penguins. These African Penguins are endemic to South Africa and closely related to the Humboldt, Magellanic and Galapagos Penguins. Penguin fact – penguins are only found in the southern hemisphere except for the Galapagos Penguin which is found north of the equator. They were fascinating to watch and of course, so adorable!!
One of the southernmost points of the African Continent, the Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula. It is narrow and juts out into the ocean with lots of wind. It is beautiful but has unpredictable weather, baboons that will raid your car, and adorable penguins playing in the water. With a love of geography, it was amazing to see a place that I have wanted to see since I was young. 🇿🇦
We started our evening with a Djembe drumming session in a huge restaurant decorated on every open space with African artifacts, puppets, beautiful beadwork, and wooden carvings. It’s definitely touristy but really enjoyable. The 14 course “Taste Safari” had dishes from all over Africa and the servers were dressed in beautiful local dress, so everyone was different and such gorgeous colors and patterns. Throughout dinner performers sing, drum, and dance. It was the perfect way to end a trip to South Africa 🇿🇦 ❤️🖤 🤍 💚💙💛🇿🇦
