New Travel Plans

Posted April 1, 2020 by Jan

Bangkok

Thailand

Wednesday

April 1, 2020

Hello,

New Travel Plans?

New Travel Plans!

At last once a week I receive a notice from the United States State Department that advises me to, “Reconsider International Travel.”

Reconsider?  How do I “reconsider” when I am addicted?

There are two areas of the world that are still blank on my “personal travel map.” 

I have not yet ventured south of the Sahara to Black Africa. 

I have not yet sailed to the South Pacific.

And despite my many travels I know very little about the natural world.  I can identify quartz and granite and limestone.  I know the difference between a palm tree and a pine tree.  A pigeon and a peacock.  That’s it. 

Where can I go to complete my map and also add to my knowledge at the same time?

The Western Desert of Egypt - Travel Talk

Posted March 8, 2020 by Jan
Egypt

Jomtien Beach

Thailand

November 11, 2022

Sunny and Warm

Hello,

This past Monday I was a speaker at the Bangkok International Travelers Meetup.  I chose to speak about my February 2020 journey through the Western Desert of Egypt. 

At the meetup I spoke for about an hour and shared many photos and several videos.

Today I have posted a small selection of about thirty of my favorite images and videos.

At Home at Gezira El Bairat, Egypt

Posted March 7, 2020 by Jan
Egypt: Western Desert
Egypt

Gezira El Bairat, Al Ramla 

Luxor, Egypt

March 9, 2020

Hello,

Here in the town of Gezira El Bairat, on the west bank of the Nile, the modest El Masala Hotel provides a simple and comfortable guest room with a balcony overlooking the Nile.  The staff is friendly and accommodating.  Breakfast is served at the open-air rooftop restaurant with a sweeping view of the river and the river traffic. 

Kareem, the owner of the hotel, is determined that my week’s stay in Luxor will be both active and restful.   He drives me around town.   He helps me to book drivers for my tours.   Kareem invites me to his home for lunch where I meet his wife and children.

The Temple at Edfu

Posted March 5, 2020 by Jan
Egypt
Egypt: Western Desert

Edfu

Aswan Governorate

Egypt

March 2, 2020

 

Halfway betweem Luxor and Aswan, on the west bank of the Nile, lies the Temple of Edfu.  The temple is dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus and his wife, the goddess Hathor.

Here is the story of Horus:

Horus, the falcon-headed god, is a familiar ancient Egyptian god. He has become one of the most used symbols of Egypt, seen on Egyptian airplanes, and on hotels and restaurants throughout the land.

Horus is the sone of Osiris and Isis, the divine child of the holy family triad.  He is one of the many gods associated with the falcon.  His name mans "he who is above" and "he who is distant."

Amenhotep. Deir El-Medina. Ramesses

Posted March 3, 2020 by Jan
Egypt
Egypt: Western Desert

West Bank of the Nile

Luxor

Luxor Governorate

Arab Republic of Egypt

March 2, 2020

 

Hello,

It’s a busy day for me on the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor.

My first stop is at the Colossi of Memnon: two colossal seated statues of Amenhotep III, 14th Century BCE.  Adjacent to his legs are carvings of his mother and his wife.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossi_of_Memnon

 

The second stop requires a decision: Do I visit the Valley of the Kings or the Valley of the Queens?  My proclivity has always been towards the “working man” so I chose the Valley of the Artisans - the Necropolis of Deir El-Medina. 

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