This year’s tour to Egypt and Cyprus for 19 days was no different than previous overseas tours, except two different perspectives.Egypt with long heritage and glorious past from 3000 BC .a long history with relics.like Pyramids, Sphinx, Temples, Valleys of Kings etc, while Cyprus .a picturesque island, south of Greece on Mediterranean sea with beaches, harbour, hotels all around, only meant for relaxation with food, drinks and sea!
Our tour took us to Cairo where we flew in from Mumbai via Kuwait on 22nd Oct., stayed close to Pyramids in Giza in Hotel Intercontinental Pyramid Park. On Coach we went to Alexandria one day and then next day proceeded to Hurghuda resort city on Red Sea, stayed at Hilton hotel and then went upto Luxor to embark Sonesta Sun Goddess ship for cruise on river Nile for 4 days/nights, which was fabulous.
It is quite evident that Egypt is born of the river Nile, without which possibly it would not have existed. Amid desert and sandy lands that give a tiring and sometimes gloomy look when viewed to distant horizon, the river Nile is the life line with water and greenery along its coasts that helped develop cities and towns, habitats for men and animals, trade and commerce and of course, many Temples of past Kings and Queens like Tutenkhamen, Ramassis II, Nephartiti, Hotshepsut etc. Major river in each country has created its own history through immense contribution to the growth of a country, its people like ours in India, the river Ganges.entire Gangetic Plato developed from bygone days.
Interestingly, in glorious past of Egypt( as stated in its history), the Kings and Queens from 3000 BC were strong believer of rebirth, which they considered is the way to survive in next birth to eternity.But, they thought, they need to protect their dead body for their second birth to take place.This presumption led to mummification of dead bodies, creation of Temples(as they call) which are like tombs with all earthly possessions of King/Queen viz. food, clothing, treasures, jewelry etc.For identification, they all had what is called "Cartoos".an oblong locket with chain on which name in inscribed in heliographic language(old Egyptian language).
All Temples have similar disposition and only display kings and queens, their Gods .but do not display the life of people then as much as in old heritages in other countries.The influence of Greek, Muslim(later) in original Egyptian heritages are evident in some Temples as they changed by plastering and then fresh sculpturing and inscribing. Cairo Museum is the right place for knowing the past glory and history of Egypt till last kingdom. It has precious collections and exhibits. Papyrus trees in Egypt gave birth to papyrus for writing and painting, which could be recycled and reused as demonstrated to us.Very interesting!
After 10 days of stay in Egypt and visit to Abu Simbel temple and Aswan Dam with mega Hydel station, we returned overnight to Cairo by train whence we went by road to Port Said and stayed overnight at Hotel Helnan to embark on Louis Cruise Liner( 1200 passenger ship) with 6 decks other than top sun deck and reached Lemassol in Cyprus. We went to Pafos and checked into Louis Phaethon Hotel on the beach.a huge place with requisite facilities, full with guests.mostly from England and some from Europe. Really, it is a bright, sunny and beautiful island.neat, clean and eye catching with space all around.
Beautiful winding roads that took us to Nicosia, the capital.north of it is under Turkish occupation where we visited to an old and famous monastery. Next to another site on west side to coral beach and harbour, famous for fish and chips. It is a great place for tourists.who only wish to unwind and relax.
Finally, on 8th October, we bade "goodbye" to Cyprus when boarded the same liner to return to Port Said on overnight journey, whence we drove straight to Cairo airport with convoy( which is a must for long distance travel for tourists in Egypt due to threat perception) on the 9th Oct. and returned to Mumbai via Kuwait on 10th morning. How all these days passed by.is a wonder. though trip was hectic under scorching heat in Egypt.but, certainly enjoyable with enriching experience through history and heritages and above all soothing cruise on great river NILE and across Mediterranean!
Seeing a country is enriching the vision and enlarging perspectives!