Tuesday, May 8 -- Port Said, Egypt

Tuesday, May 8 -- Port Said I visited here and went to the pyramids a couple of years ago, and after the long tiring time in Israel, I wasn't interested in going again. So Larry went alone, and I'll let him tell his own story of the day. Meanwhile, I had a leisurely breakfast, then went to the spa for facial and foot reflexology. Nice. I drifted a bit, then had lunch. We needed laundry done, so I tracked down the laundromat on board and did a load. The rest of the day has been spent trying to catch up this blog, with one small break for a trivia game. Only 5 of us showed up so we all won. [Larry's story] Well it was the standard trip through Cairo - 3 1/2 hours from the ship. I decided this time to do the standard main largest pyramids in Giza followed by the Step Pyramids of Saqqara. The main pyramids were nice to see again and certainly the crowds were far less. Last time there at least 50 buses; this time only 11 and 10 were from our own ship. Wandered around by myself and was gravitating towards the one where you can walk into the middle. The guide warned us like last time how difficult it was etc etc and only do it if you must. So a arrived there as one chap my age was emerging. I asked how it was and he couldn't speak for a few moments but finally admitted he was glad he did it but would never consider it again. I said: "my sentiments exactly". I asked if he wanted a picture with his camera emerging from the pyramid. He thought - a great idea as he had no-one with him. So he backtracked and got a few pics. Lunch was quite a mess of people in a nice hotel: The Meridian Pyramids. Every tourist bus in town was there I think so I just grabbed what I could get near to and said that was fine. Next we went to the Step Pyramids of Saqqara which is another suburb of Cairo. They are quite different, smaller and of course in steps. The actual surroundings were more impressive as there are many excavations of interest. The trip back was a reverse of going in except we had to fight the rush traffic on the Cairo ring road. Great fun after leaving Cairo and picking up our escort. Police front and back with lights flashing and sirens when necessary. NoOne stays in our lane, else we move them over quickly and crossroads were police blocked. Back at 7:30pm. Unfortunately they variation that went to the Museum vice the Saqqara got more Cairo traffic and held our departure up as we were to leave at 7:30pm and it is now 9:45 and we are just away from the warf. Tomorrow - Alexandria, Egypt.

Photos 8 May