The felucca on the Nile

The beauty of the tour we chose, was that we got to take a felucca boat down the Nile for three days. We had a Nubian crew (village inhabiting people from Southern Egypt) to guide us from Aswan to Edfu, where we caught a bus up to Luxor. The food was simple (or so they told us), but it turned out we were feasting for 3 meals a day. I was very impressed with what they could do in the 'kitchen' of this small sailboat-like boat. Day one was great, we had some beers, enjoyed some sunshine, and the boat is designed so you can't do anything (it's one gigantic matress). Day 2 however, I fell sick. I don't remember much of the day, but as Sue and Kim described it (one of the couples on the tour), I was sleeping all day in different patches of shade. Day 3 I was back on my feet, and enjoyed the rest of our cruise. We kept seeing gigantic cruise ships (5 star type of things), but I thought about it and realized how illegitimate that would be. You don't want to be on a cruise ship on the Nile, you want to be stinky (no showers), #1 and 2 behind trees, and just relaxing. I thought it was great (even though I got sick)

Pics:

1) Our Nubian crew (Captain Fox second from left) and our tour guide Khaled (far right)

2) "Quarantined Quarter" (we were the sickies of the felucca ride, all Canadians) :(

3) The felucca

4) Swimming in the Nile

Aswan, Egypt (including Abu Simbel and Philae)

Ok, so I'll get pics up soon. I burnt a picture cd yesterday, but I'm at a different net cafe where I can't use cds, so I'll have to upload another time. Anyway, after Cairo we took a night train to Aswan. Aswan was a nicer city in my opinion. Had a great bazaar where you get harrassed like nobodies business, but it was a dry town (no booze...although, 6 or 7 of us took horse carriages one night to the 4 star hotel and had a few beers at their bar). Didn't spend too much time in Aswan itself, but we took day trips (via tourist police convoy) to Philae Temple (beautiful temple on an island) and the world famous Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel has the most amazing exterior of any of the temples we visited. The inside isn't too shabby either.

Pics:

1) Philae Temple

2) Our hosts at a Nubian village (they cooked for us and had us into their homes!)

3) This was the cutest thing I've seen in a long time

4) Me at Abu Simbel

5) Abu Simbel

6) Abu Simbel (no photos inside of this one)

Cairo (and Giza), Egypt

Cairo...what to say. 18 million people. The horn is the most important device in an automobile, even more so than the brakes. This city is insane. People everywhere, trying to sell you things (mostly papyrus), noise pollution, and of course a haze above the city that puts even London to shame. It was quite the culture shock (considering I've only really been to Western European countries of yet), but an experience I'll never forget. The Pyramids of Giza were absolutely spectacular. Jordan and I even got to climb up on the largest pyramid off to the one side. The Sphinx, although smaller than expected, was still an architectural wonder so to speak. Amazing what people were capable of doing so long ago. Egypt is full of history, and it was a pleasure to come and check this country out.

Pics:

1) One of the nine Pyramids of Giza, of course one of the 3 largest too (coming soon)

2) Me on the largest pyramid (coming soon)

3) Walk Like an Egyptian (coming soon)

4) The Sphinx

5) My head as the Sphinx

6) Cairo from our hotel roof

Utrecht and Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pics:

1) Gardens at the cathedral in Utrecht

2) Mo and I

3) Amsterdam canal

4) Karel and I thinking (Mo below)

5) How grizzly I looked leaving A-Dam

Went back up to the Netherlands to visit a friend from Jubilations. Like I said, this mini trip was all about the company, so I went up there and simply hung out for a few days. It was nice to see her again, didn't do too many touristy things, but managed to get a few free drinks at Karel's (her friend from Winnepeg/Netherlands) place of work. I was drinking Canadian style too, Canadian Club. Either way, it was nice to see her again. Amsterdam's always an interesting town, and it was her first time there, so hopefully it was a memorable one!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Pics:

1) The city wall

2) Burgtor (castle gate)

3) Rothenburg from above

4) Town gate

5) Who's that crazy monkey man climbing that medieval wall??

Beautiful medieval town on the river Tauber in northern Bavaria. Situated above a glorious valley, very picturesque. The city wall is complete all the way around the old town, and only because of generous donations from around the world. Rothenburg was bombed during WW2, so much restoration has taken place. Also, pretty sure I've been here before, I think with the school trip in 2001. I emailed Frau, but no response yet. Just had that deja vous feeling. Either way, nice relaxing touristy town.

Munich, Oktoberfest 2007

Pics:

1) Man hauling kegs

2) Another oom pa pa band in the Loewenbraeu tent

3) Too much to drink...note the Lederhosen...a true Bavarian

4) The famous Hofbraeu tent

5) Party on the table...lots of people were up on the benches, singing traditional songs, and just going crazy. This bunch for whatever reason left their beers on the table. Tempted to be sneaky and take em, but no go.

6) The people in one of the 9 or 10 beer tents

7) Me polishing off another Mass

8) Oktoberfest from above...look at the people (I think that was Monday too)

9) Ride like the swing of the century, except 50 meters above ground. Great view of the grounds.

Oktoberfest opening weekend. What to say. What a festival. I've already decided that should I ever get married, my stag party will be in Munich during Oktoberfest. It clearly is the best beer fest of the world (and maybe I haven't been to many, but there's a reason it has such a good name). Big beers, beautiful women in traditional dress, loads of drunken Aussies and Americans (and I suppose a few Canucks too), pretzels, it's just great. It's like Kdays with beer. Lots of beer. Long story short, opening Saturday was so busy, I couldn't get a seat anywhere, and that meant no beer. But Sunday morning, I was there bright and early at about 9, and the Frau comes right over and offers you a Mass right off the bat. One liter of beer for breaky. Breakfast of Champions.

Munich minus Oktoberfest

Pics:

1) Hair dresser's named Albertas...weird

2) Martin

3) Julian, his girlfriend and Martin's flatmate (sorry, I forgot names, I have them written down somewhere...)

4) Martin the ladies man

Munich was a blast not only because I went for Oktoberfest, but because I was in the company of great people. I stayed at both Martin and Julian's places, both of which were great and very accomodating, and were gracious enough to have me while the city's in mayhem. We hung out a lot, met a lot of their uni friends, and it was great catching up. I really hope they can both make it out to Canada some day, I let them know they're always welcome (don't worry Mom, I'll be on my own by then haha!) But in any case, this time spent in Germany made me realize that no matter where you are in the world, it's necessary to have great people surrounding you.

Frankfurt am Main

Pics:

1) Markus and I saying Prost! to Apfelwein

2) Die Roemer, or city hall with skyline in the background

3) The skyline and I

4) The state opera house

5) Frankfurt am Main looking sooooo much like Edmonton

6) Safety man and I (went to a car trade show...took lots of car pics too, but this is SAFETY MAN! Way cooler)

7) Jan and I looking like fools

Flew into Frankfurt to begin my Germany trip. Decided on that because it's an obvious choice for an airport in Germany, plus I have friends here. Was able to catch up with Jan, Nicole, and Markus, and even made new friends by staying at a friend of a friend of my Mom's. Sandra was great, we talked 'language geek' talk (she's an English as a second language teacher, so we got along fine.) Plus she was very helpful with my German.

Markus and I went out for Apfelwein, like cider, but very unique to Hessen, the Bundesland where Frankfurt is situated. I also tried Schweinehaxe, which is basically a giant leg of a pig. Lots of fat, on a big bone, Flinstones food really.

Jan, Nicole and I met out too. We hung out, chatted about the old days in Innsbruck two years ago, and had an all around good time. Frankfurt isn't that exciting of a city, but this mini Germany trip was all about meeting up with old friends!

Bye Bye London: Planet people and my 'Wall of Fame'

Pics:

1) Susan (S. Africa) and I with Nas (Greece) in the background

2) Main line

3) Maggi (Poland) and I...see, I do have a good influence on how people take pictures!

4) Irmante (Lithuania) and I. She's my long lost twin by the way...can't you see the resemblance?

5) Planet Hollywood bar

6) Planet Hollywood main floor

7) Aneta from Poland and I

8) Amanda from Brazil and I

9) My wall of fame with all the glorious mail you sent me! Thanks guys!

Said goodbye to work at Planet Hollywood in mid-September. It was sad to say goodbye to so many cool people, but I know I'll keep in touch with a lot of them. Took a few pics over my last few days there, and of course, the final photograph of my "Wall of Fame." Thanks again to everyone that sent me mail in London, it always made my day!!