Bangkok, Egypt, Nile River & more

For DJ & Jones’ birthdays in 2018, I organized an around the world holiday from Shanghai to Bangkok to Dubai to Kuwait to Cairo to Alexandria to Aswan — then sail the Nile River to Luxor – back to Cairo, onward to Saudi Arabia then Toronto and home to Shanghai..

The trip was designed to be 5-star luxury, to visit these places with private guides and local archeologists I hired in advance, plus private transport, so we could do all in air-conditioned comfort. The Nile river cruise was a highlight, with about 66 staff (all uber friendly), our little family were just about the only guests aboard the Oberoi Philae.  Most of the sights we visited, we had private access due to pre-hired locally engaged archeologists pulling strings, which allowed for some unique photo opportunities at a leisurely pace.

Egypt Holiday 2018 Itinerary Book

The ITINERARY BOOK includes the detail, plus sightseeing research.

Some photo highlights below…

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Bangkok: And The World’s Your Oyster

Bangkok Soi Twilight neon gay signsThe days are now gone as the epicenter of Thailand’s gay life, Bangkok’s night life is today a mere shadow of what it was. Bangkok has become just another city that has a myriad of traditional gay bars amidst an overly touristy focus on selling Thai knickknacks and Chinese knock offs. In this shift of cleaning up its nightlife, Bangkok has become more of a transit city to other locations in Thailand and still maintain a little bit of the old style of fun. 

After the obligatory tours of the golden Royal Palace and the long boats in the rivers, I kept Jones happy and busy with ringside seats at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium or with Muay Thai Boxing. I kept DJ busy with a lot of shopping including what must be the worlds largest outdoor shopping market, the Suan Lum Night Bazaar very near my favorite and regular hotel that I stay — the Tarntawan Place Hotel, right in the center of the primary gay areas and close walking distance to my favorite restaurant/coffee shop of Dicks Café smack dab in the centre of what used to be Soi Twilight. 

Bangkok Soi Twilight Elephant with DJ and TobyThere were also many fabulous surprise birthday events for DJ, but one of my favorite moments was in 2006 when DJ and I were drinking after a birthday dinner in Soi Twilight (packed with gay go-go bars and drinking establishments), at around 4:00am, we are sitting outside enjoying our umpteenth beer, when we looked up and see a baby elephant hovering over our table. Presumably wanting our peanuts. DJ’s facial expression says it all. 

These days, in layover, Bangkok is better for shopping for foreign supplies such as headache medicine, deodorant, and other basics which we simply cannot buy in China. One Night in Bangkok is better.

Bangkok Royal Palace from road Bangkok Royal Palace Rooftops Bangkok Royal Palace Gold Roof Bangkok Royal Palace 5 heads Bangkok Royal Palace statue Bangkok Royal Palace Gold Bangkok Royal Palace purple statue Bangkok Royal Palace Guard JonesBangkok Tarntawan Place TobyBangkok Montien Hotel Key DropBangkok Montien Hotel Elevator ashtray Bangkok Tarntawan Place welcome Bangkok Tarntawan Place Suite 999 Living Room Bangkok Tarntawan Place Suite 999 bed Bangkok Tarntawan Place Suite 999 Bedroom Bangkok Tarntawan Place Street Tailor Bangkok Tarntawan Place Hotel 2012 2016 Princess John Michael with Toby Bangkok Toby Dainty Flower Bangkok Toby in hotel Bangkok Toby rings Bangkok Shopping at IT Plaza Bangkok Tuk Tuk with Jones DJ and Toby Bangkok Tourists with Jones DJ and Lee Bangkok Japanese Dinner with Lee and Toby Bangkok Lee Bear Bangkok Lee as a Bear Bangkok Market Shopping Jones Lion King t shirt Bangkok River Ferry with Jones DJ and Toby Bangkok Arnos Steak dinner Toby RIchard Jack Bangkok Silom Coffee Club Mikhayla and milkshake Bangkok Silom Coffee Club Mikhayla and Toby Bangkok Silom Coffee Club Mikhayla Shocann Jones and Marie Bangkok Soi Twilight nighttime Bangkok Soi Twilight night signs Bangkok Soi Twilight DJ and Boy on shoulders Bangkok Soi Twilight Elephant with Toby Bangkok Soi Twilight Toby DJ drunk Bangkok Soi Twilight Shaved Ice Snack Vendor Bangkok Soi Twilight Dicks Cafe with Toby Jones Friends Bangkok Soi Twilight Dicks Cafe with DJ Bangkok Soi Twilight Dicks Cafe Lemon Chicken and Lime Juice Bangkok Soi Twilight Dicks Cafe Chicken Skewars Peanut Sauce Bangkok Silom Shopping Night Market in Street and Super Pussy Bangkok Silom Shopping Night Market Shopping 2012 Bangkok Silom Shopping Street stalls Bangkok Silom Street Food Bangkok Silom Coffee Club view of street  Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Priority Lane Thailand Thai Airlines Airport priority paperwork

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Dubai: Steroidal Architecture

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and lively nightlife. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. Little bit of work, brunch, swim & drink, then night shopping at the gold souk (bazaar).  Great for a day or two of rest on layovers.

UAE Dubai Hotel Room UAE Dubai 4 UAE Dubai Eggs Benedict UAE Dubai cash UAE Dubai 7 UAE Dubai 12 UAE Dubai 13 UAE Dubai 16 UAE Dubai 17 UAE Dubai 171 UAE Dubai 18 UAE Dubai 19 UAE Dubai 22 UAE Dubai 23 UAE Dubai 25 UAE Dubai 27 UAE Dubai 29 UAE Dubai 32 UAE Dubai 34 UAE Dubai 35 UAE Dubai Delayed on road due to camels having sex UAE Dubai Liz Koops (BEG) UAE Dubai DJ at BurjUAE Dubai 39 UAE Dubai Airport UAE Dubai Airport UAE Dubai Airport with Cathay Pacific

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Cairo: Sprawling trove of antiquities

Cairo is the capital of Egypt with a population in excess of 16 million. On the Nile river, Cairo is famous for its own history, preserved in the fabulous medieval Islamic city and Coptic sites in Old Cairo. There’s a coffee shop on every corner & sometimes in the middle of the road. Mostly men sitting smoking shishas (water-pipes), playing backgammon and drinking coffee.

Great Pyramids, Sphinx & sheesha pipes and camels and fabulous local lunch and such interesting views in every direction.

Amazing Egyptian museum in the main square downtown, hall of mummies, King Tut, history, Mosques, local life and Souk shopping. Brilliant day.

Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 167 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 197 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 203 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 218 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 184 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 220 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 228 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 208 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 186 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 188 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 204 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 177 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 174 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 110 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 72 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 68 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 93 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 87 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 57 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 54 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 100 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 91 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 85 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 62 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 60 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 61 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 53 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 99 Egypt Cairo Khan Khalili Bazaar 7 Egypt Cairo Khan Khalili Bazaar 11 Egypt Cairo Khan Khalili Bazaar 4 Egypt Cairo Khan Khalili Bazaar 14 Egypt Cairo Great Pyramids Sphinx 232 Egypt Cairo 173 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 73 Egypt Cairo Museum of Antiquities 76 Egypt Cairo 5 Egypt Cairo 29 Egypt Cairo 50 Egypt Cairo 49 Egypt Cairo 37 Egypt Cairo 34 Egypt Cairo Gay Warrning Egypt Cairo 170 Egypt Cairo 122 Egypt Cairo 112 Egypt Cairo 44 Egypt Maps Cairo city Map Egypt Maps Cairo Map Tourist

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Alexandria: Centre of Ancient World Learning

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as The Pearl of the Mediterranean, is 140 miles north of Cairo. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World & the tallest building in the world for centuries. The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Anthony.

The Romans marched into Egypt in 30 BC intent on turning it into an imperial province. Christianity was adopted as the official religion of the Roman Empire and enforced upon the Egyptians.

Catacombs, Citadel, Cairo opera house, local living and fabulous lentil soup with fresh breads… plus a little typical Egyptian organized chaos at end of day.

Egypt Alexandria El Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque 2 Egypt Alexandria El Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque 5 Egypt Alexandria 124 Egypt Alexandria 138 Egypt Alexandria 140 Egypt Alexandria 141 Egypt Alexandria 142 Egypt Alexandria 146 Egypt Alexandria 147 Egypt Alexandria 160 Egypt Alexandria 165 Egypt Alexandria Catacombs 1 Egypt Alexandria Catacombs 3 Egypt Alexandria Citadel of Qaitbay 1 Egypt Alexandria Citadel of Qaitbay 6 Egypt Alexandria Pompeys Pillar 2

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MS Oberoi Philae: Uber luxury

I rented 2 suites, one on either side the ultra luxury cruise ship across hall from each other  – we had 66 five-star lovely crew to ourselves. Spanning 36 sqM each of the luxury cabins include a spacious bedroom and separate bathroom, furnished with beds, offering a pillow menu that caters to bespoke individual preferences. Heaven. Seriously heaven. I mean truly heaven. Nice benefit when you are the only passengers on a luxury ship: they hold the ship from sailing on schedule until DJ arrives back over 1 hour late from shopping. Plus a private Whirling dirvish show last night onboard.

Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae 125 Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae 195 Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae 223 Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae 305 Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae 309 Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae 418 Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae Oberoi Philae Deck Plan detailed Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae Oberoi Philae Deck Plan room numbers Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae suite Egypt Nile River Cruise Oberoi Philae Toby swimming 4

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River Nile: Ancient Egypt’s highway

The Nile at 6,695 km generally regarded as the longest river in the world and among the most culturally significant natural formations in human history. It winds from its source in Uganda through 9 countries – Ethiopia, Zaire, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, and Egypt. Nile Crocodiles are about 4m in length, make their nests along the banks. Also, the habitat of Hippopotamus and black rhinoceroses, and more than 30 species of snakes (most are venomous). The Nile River unusually flows north, due to this, Upper Egypt is in the south and Lower Egypt is in the north.

In Aswan, Edfu, Tom Ombo, Thebes, Qena and Denderra with archeologists

The last temple of Ancient Egypt, Philae Temple, including the last hieroglyph and then I captained falluca sailboat up the Nile. Aswan to Edfu – cruise up to Kom Ombo Temple and onto Edfu city with fascinating views of the Nile and great dinner on deck. Sailing the Nile River – Temple of Edfu, sail through Esna Lock, Luxor and Luxor (Thebes) temple at night plus a fabulous sunset.  Private solo tour of Karnak Temple (no other tourists) and Nile River cruise to Qena seeing local laundry on the nile, drying wheat and relaxing aboard luxury ship while DJ shops.

Aswan is Egypt’s southernmost city has a population of around 245,000, renowned for its many islands as well as the thousands of felucca’s with white sails going back and forth between them. There are various Pharaonic sites in Aswan. Aswan was where Agatha Christie wrote and based her best seller, Death on the Nile. Aswan is a mixture of past and present, souvenir shops, horse drawn carriages, the dozens of Nile cruisers parked against the banks of the Nile.

The Philae Temple complex, once located on Philae island, was threatened by flooding when the high dam was built. The temples were moved on Agilka island, this temple complex was constructed during the 3rd century BC, and the main temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis (Mother of the goddesses and the gods). This is the last known remnants of the 3000 year old Ancient Egyptian civilization, with the Egyptians who believed in the array of gods, being pushed south to Philae after the Roman domination of Christianity, commencing in Alexandria and pushing south. The last known hieroglyph in history is here, known as The Graffito of Emset-Akhom, dated 394 AD, on the wall of the temple gateway built by the emperor Hadrian, leading towards the supposed tomb of Osiris (the Abaton)

The Kim Ombo Temple was built on a high dune overlooking the Nile started by Ptolemy VI in the early 2nd century BC. Ptolemy XIII built the outer and inner hypostyle halls. The outer enclosure wall and part of the court were built by Augustus sometime after 30 BC.

The Edfu Temple with it’s Temple of Horus, which is the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. During the reign of King Ptolemy III (237 B.C.), the construction of Edfu temple began, yet it was not finished until 57 B.C, according to the Egyptian myths, it was the place where the falcon-headed god Horus revenged the murder of his father Osiris by killing Seth.

Egypt Nile River 327 Egypt Nile River 313 Egypt Nile River 192 Egypt Nile River 396 Egypt Nile River 412 Egypt Nile River 135 Egypt Nile River 465 Egypt Nile River 315 Egypt Nile River 89 Egypt Map Egypt Sightseeing Egypt Map arab republic of egypt Egypt Map ancient egypt Egypt Map Nile Cruise Points of Interest Egypt Map upper lower egypt Egypt Map Nile Valley Egypt Aswan 428 Egypt Aswan 433 Egypt Aswan Map Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor.jpg Egypt Aswan Philae Temple 425 Egypt Aswan Philae Temple 444 Egypt Aswan Philae Temple 454 Egypt Aswan Philae Temple 456 Egypt Aswan Philae Temple 463 Egypt Aswan Philae Temple Philae Rendering Egypt Edfu 440 Egypt Edfu 452 Egypt Edfu 461 Egypt Edfu Edfu Temple plan Egypt Edfu Edfu Temple dedicated to God Horus Egypt Kom Ombo Temple 380 Egypt Kom Ombo Temple 384

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Luxor: Epicentre of Ancient History

Private tours with privately hired archeologist of the Valley of the Kings, Pharaoh King Tut, Pharaoh Ramses IV tomb, Deir el-Medina tomb workers village (worlds first hutong) — all with no other tourists, local Egyptian lunch & swimming/drinking. Lucky to be moored in Luxor adjacent to the SUDAN where our crew organized a private tour of the SUDAN, the river boat used in Agatha Christies “Death on the Nile“ for us.

Karnak Temple was constructed around 2040 BC, has three main sacred areas that honor three gods: Amun-Ra, the goddess Mut & Khonsu – members of the sacred family of the Theban Triad. The impressive Hypostyle Hall has 134 soaring columns; Each column is carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs; The inscriptions tell their stories of war and peace. 

The Temple of Luxor was built by Amenhotep III around 1400 BC, and completed by Rameses II around 1250 BC. It was dedicated to the great god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu together representing the Theban Triad. 

Temple of Dendera was built in the 1st century B.C and it is one of the best-preserved Temples in the whole of Egypt! Ptolemy VIII and Queen Cleopatra II built it, and then later, Roman Emperors continued to decorate it and honor the Goddess Hathor; the Goddess of maternity, love and music. The Greeks identified the Goddess Hathor as Aphrodite. 

The secret Valley of the Kings was used for burial; there are many kings between 1504 -1000 BC, buried in this valley. It consists of 62 tombs, which were arranged at first according to their dates of discovery, but after that they were geographically arranged.  The tomb of Tutankhamun is famous as it was the only tomb found intact until its discovery in 1922.  The most famous tomb is KV62, the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb was made by Howard Carter on November 4, 1922, with clearance and conservation work continuing until 1932. Tutankhamun’s tomb was the first royal tomb to be discovered that was still largely intact (although tomb robbers had entered it) and was the last major discovery in the valley. The opulence of his grave goods notwithstanding, King Tutankhamun was a rather minor king and other burials probably had more numerous treasures. 

Deir el-Medina is the modern Arabic name for the worker’s village (now an archaeological site) which was home to the artisans and craftsmen of Thebes who built and decorated the royal tombs in the nearby Valley of the Kings. Unlike most villages, Deir el-Medina was a planned community founded by Amenhotep I (c.1541-1520 BCE) specifically to house workers on royal tombs because tomb desecration and robbery had become a serious concern by his time. 

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during the Dynasty XVIII. For the past 3,400 years, they have stood in the Theban Necropolis. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep’s memorial temple (or mortuary temple): a massive cult centre built during the pharaoh’s lifetime, where he was worshipped as a god-on-earth both before and after his departure from this world. In its day, this temple complex was the largest and most opulent in Egypt. 

Egypt Luxor 222 Egypt Luxor 227 Egypt Luxor 232 Egypt Luxor Colossi of Memnon Egypt Luxor Deir el Medina Workers village 234 Egypt Luxor Deir el Medina Workers village 235 Egypt Luxor Deir el Medina Workers village 241 Egypt Luxor Deir el Medina Workers village deir el medina map plan Egypt Luxor Denderra Rendering Egypt Luxor Denderra Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 146 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 148 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 150 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 159 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 166 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 169 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 175 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 176 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple 191 Egypt Luxor Karnak Temple Karnak Rendering Egypt Luxor Sudan from Death on the Nile 49 Egypt Luxor Sudan from Death on the Nile 62 Egypt Luxor Sudan from Death on the Nile 65 Egypt Luxor Temple 139 Egypt Luxor Temple 283 Egypt Luxor Temple 294 Egypt Luxor Temple 295 Egypt Luxor Temple 303 Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings 244 Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings 247 Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings 253 Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings 266 Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings 275 Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings 276 Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings Sights Luxor Map kv62 Tuts Tomb Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings Sights Map valley of the kings tombs Egypt Luxor Valley of the Kings Toby in Egypt Valley of the Kings Cairo

Onward via Saudi Arabia

Luxor to Cairo: left the ship, flew to Cairo, daytime hotel, exploring Cairo again then fly to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia tonight with lots more luggage.

Saudi Arabia

Jeddah to Toronto, after 8 hours of delays + 13 hour flight with Saudi Arabian airlines, finally landed in Toronto greeted by unseasonably freezing snow storms.

Toby in Toronto Snow in April

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