We began our initial descent into Cairo just after 8am, as the pilot announced that the temperature on the ground was already 90 degrees and climbing. Our overnight flight from Johannesburg had taken us from one end of the African continent to the other, and from winter to summer--in the Sahara Desert. The view from the plane was of sand, for as far as the eye could see.

We'd been traveling for nearly 24 hours since leaving Savute Elephant Camp in Botswana, but our excitement at finally reaching the Land of the Pharaohs was impossible to contain. Ahead of us that great, ancient city was coming to life as it had every day for more than a thousand years.

Cairo has one of the world's busiest airports, and as we walked into the terminal from the tarmac, we found a sea of people swarming a handful of immigration desks. Most visitors (including Americans) must have a visa and obtain it upon arrival, but before we could look for the end of the line, a representative from African Travel stepped forward.

"My name is Mohammed, like half the men in Egypt," he joked, "but you can call me Mido."

In a matter of minutes, Mido whisked us through immigration, introduced us to our guide for the entire week, an Egyptologist named Hany, collected our bags and walked us through customs. Mido seemed to know everyone of importance in the airport.

Outside, our private shuttle was waiting along with our driver and an armed, plainclothes policeman, dressed in suit and tie. Hany explained that Egypt goes to tremendous lengths to ensure the safety of tourists. In addition to a high-profile police presence at tourist attractions and hotels, the government frequently assigns officers to accompany groups of tourists, at no charge.

Cairo is a sprawling city of 17 million people, but after 10 minutes I wondered how so many had survived the traffic. At first I thought that drivers changed lanes with reckless abandon, but then I realized "lanes" don't really describe what happens out there. It's more of a free-for-all. Our driver was quite careful but more than once I braced for a sideswipe that never came.

Not surprisingly, most of the buildings in Cairo are old, and in some areas they seem to be collapsing from the top down. Along the elevated freeway, we saw countless four- to six-story buildings crowned with nothing more than a section of wall and some protruding rebar.

Hany explained that taxes are higher on finished buildings than on unfinished ones, so top floors are frequently left incomplete--permanently. It's curious that a tax loophole that resulted in such an eyesore would continue to exist for decades.

Then again, I'm not sure that explains all the structures we saw, as many of the top floors seemed to be covered with debris, as if entire sections had come tumbling down. All were still occupied, as evidenced by the laundry hanging out of windows in lower floors.

Another visual curiosity--Cairo has not been wired for cable TV, so satellite dishes sprout like mushrooms from the top of almost every structure, even those most in need of repair.

Most of the streets we passed were teeming with people, and the majority of men were dressed casually in slacks and shirts. There were a significant number dressed in the traditional ankle-length robes, or galabeya, and a much smaller number in business suits.

Almost all the women we saw wore colorful scarves over their heads, long-sleeve blouses and ankle-length skirts or slacks. Some wore black burqas, loose-fitting head-to-toe garments with a narrow slit--sometimes veiled--for the eyes.

After our long journey, our first day in Egypt was intentionally unscheduled, which I highly recommend. African Travel had booked us at the high-rise Conrad International Hotel, a beautiful 5-star property on the Nile, with pool, full health club and spa and two excellent restaurants. I stood on my balcony for a very long time staring out at the world's most famous river.

There was a bank in the hotel, and a barber shop, much to my son's chagrin.

We went to bed early and were up before dawn for a trip back to the airport and a flight to Luxor, a couple of hundred miles south of Cairo. There we boarded our riverboat, the Sonesta Sun Goddess, the home base for our Nile River cruise.

The Sun Goddess is one of five Sonesta ships on the Nile, all of which offer 3-7 day voyages between Aswan and Luxor. It's not new, but it is well-maintained and well-run and appeared to be among the best of the many ships we saw.

The boat has four decks, including the observation deck on top with pool and bar, a dining room, lounge, Internet room, conference room and a couple of shops. All 62 cabins and suites have windows.

The Sun Goddess was only about half full, as summer is not the ideal time to visit Egypt. True, it is sunny, but then it is always sunny, and in July we found daily high temperatures between 115 and 120 degrees. We carried water with us always, and Hany arranged for most of our walking explorations to happen in the early morning, late afternoon and after sunset.

We spent two days and one night on the boat in Luxor, a place with archaeological sites that rival any on Earth. We visited Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, massive structures built more than 3,000 years ago, and crossed the Nile to the Necropolis, which includes the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

For a period of nearly 500 years, from the 16th to 11th century B.C., Egyptian Pharaohs were buried in the Valley of the Kings, in elaborate tombs dug out of solid rock. Some of their wives and children were buried in the nearby Valley of the Queens.

Pharaohs began working on their tombs as soon as they were crowned, as elaborate tributes to themselves and to the gods that would welcome them to the afterlife. The walls of these multi-room tombs were engraved with hieroglyphs and brightly painted.

When their bodies had been mummified, the rulers were sealed in their tombs along with treasure and various possessions that would be needed in the next world. Many of these tombs are amazingly well preserved and nine are lit and open to the public, including the most famous of them all, the tomb of Tutankhamun.

It is a smallish tomb, most likely because he died at a young age, before it was completed. Somehow tomb robbers lost track of it after some minor artifacts had been removed, and it was buried and forgotten for centuries. When it was finally unearthed in 1922, the tomb of Tutankhamun contained a wealth of artifacts including a solid gold funeral mask that is often used to symbolize the greatest treasures of Egyptian antiquity.

By this stage of the trip, we had come to truly appreciate the knowledge and storytelling ability of Hany, our private Egyptologist, whose enthusiasm over the subject was infectious. In flawless English he read and interpreted the hieroglyphs in temples and tombs, and he peeled back layer upon layer of history in a way that kept things interesting.

We learned that ancient Egyptian laws were based on a common-sense view of right and wrong and the pursuit of truth, order, balance and justice. Egypt produced the world's first architects, mathematicians, scientists and doctors, and the first massive buildings made of stone. Egyptians were the first to use columns of stone to support temples and the first to pave roads. They treated the human body to prepare it for the afterlife. They produced the world's first wine and beer.

"After 5,000 years, there is nothing new under the sun," he once said, and after listening to his arguments, I could not disagree.

For a slideshow of photos from this leg of the tour, click here.
To see the itinerary and prices for Royal Egyptian departures, click here.
For a list of all African Travel tours and safaris, click here.
For a list of all Egypt tours and Nile cruises, click here.
For a map of Egypt and the Nile, click here.

Next time: Cruising south on the river Nile
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are all the best cruise deals worldwide in the next 90 days, organized by region:

Africa Antarctic Asia/Far East Asia/Far East Cruise Tours Australia/New Zealand Australia/New Zealand Cruise Tours Bahamas Caribbean
Disney World & Bahamas Cruises (Combination) Galapagos Hawaii. Mediterranean Mexico/Central America Middle East Northern Europe
Panama Canal Repositioning River Cruises South America Tahiti TransAtlantic

Here are all the best cruise deals worldwide in the next 90 days, organized by cruise line:

Azamara Carnival Celebrity Clipper Costa Cruise West Crystal Cunard Delta Queen (Majestic) Disney Fred. Olsen Cruise Line
Holland America MSC Cruise Norwegian Oceania Cruises Orient P&O Cruises Princess Regent (Radisson) Royal Caribbean Seabourn
SeaDream Silversea Star Clippers Uniworld Viking River Cruises Voyages of Discovery Windstar

Here are today's Top 10 Cruises, brand new specials from the world's best cruiselines. Click the FastDeal # for details.

1) Caribbean, 5 days on Royal Caribbean, departs Fort Lauderdale Feb 9, starting at $349, FastDeal # 14000 (Royal Caribbean does not provide brochure rates for this cruise, so we are unable to show a savings percentage.)

2) Mexico, 7 days on Princess, departs San Diego Feb 3, starting at $449, save 60%, FastDeal # 23006

3) Caribbean, 7 days on Carnival, departs San Juan Jan 27, starting at $459, save 72%, FastDeal # 15701

4) Mediterranean, 11 days on Costa Cruises, departs Rome Jan 27, starting at $749, save 67%, FastDeal # 22281

5) Mexico/Central America, 8 days on Carnival, departs Fort Lauderdale Feb 16, starting at $679, save 63%, FastDeal # 15265

6) Hawaii, 7 days on Norwegian, departs Honolulu Nov 24, starting at $629, save 79%, FastDeal # 18918

7) Mexico, 7 days on Holland America, departs San Diego Jan 5, starting at $499, save 50%, FastDeal # 20240

8) Caribbean, 13 days on Cunard, departs New York Feb 2, starting at $1498, save 56%, FastDeal # 17031

9) South America, 12 days on Princess, departs Buenos Aires Jan 26, starting at $999, save 62%, FastDeal # 11053

10) Caribbean, 7 days on Regent (Radisson), departs Fort Lauderdale Dec 7, starting at $2833, save 48%, FastDeal # 18531

Please e-mail me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@vacationstogo.com and I will respond the same day.

This week's writer

R. Alan Fox
Chairman & CEO
Vacations To Go
5851 San Felipe Street, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77057

Thank you Alan another excellent Newsletter- Conrad, xlibri@cyberus.ca

DID YOU KNOW

Stingray Danger: Don't Pull out the Barb
A New Zealand man was fishing off Mercury Island in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf when he was speared in the thigh by a stingray barb that severed an artery and caused him to lose almost a quarter of his blood...

Before You Go Down Under or to visit New Zealand and South Pacific Islands be sure to include New Zealand's Hole in the Rock,and visit this site for more information.-Courtesy "Northland Naturally"

You can have an itinerary as detailed as you wish, knowing exactly where to go at any stage of your trip, or you can have an open-ended general plan touching only on main destinations, discovering places you'd like to visit in the course of your journey.

* Australia Travel Planner
* Australia Map
* Fast Facts About New Zealand
* New Zealand Map

Entry Requirements

For large numbers of visitors to Australia and New Zealand, entering either country for a short period of time requires no complex not extensive documentation, often requiring only a valid passport, return tickets, and a stay of no more than 90 days. But with growing worldwide security concerns, entry requirements may change.

* Do You Need an Australian Visa?
* Where to Get a Visa Outside Australia
* Do You Qualify for an Electronic Travel Authority?
* Do You Need a New Zealand Visa?
* New Zealand Visa Waivers

Driver's Licence

Australian and New Zealand motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road. For those used to driving on the right-hand side of the road, this may need getting used to, but many drivers can quickly switch from one driving method to another. Driving rules and regulations in both countries are similar.

* Can You Drive on Your Current Licence?

Get Wrecked at the Museum
If you walk west from Sydney city centre and cross into Darling Harbour, you'll find the Australian National Maritime Museum at the foot of the western end of Pyrmont Bridge. Here you'll find Wrecked! Tragedy and the Southern Seas, an exhibition of the drama and tragedy of Australia's most devastating shipwrecks... Read more

Daylight Saving Time in Australia and New Zealand
Daylight saving time is now in effect in Australia in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, and in New Zealand. Australia's Northern Territory and the state of Queensland do not observe daylight saving time... Read more

Special Cruises

Did you know that the biggest cruise ship has been chartereed by "Deaf travel" to offer a Deaf Freedom cruise next Fall 2007?

Around 4000 guests from all over the world are expected to participate in the seven-day western Caribbean cruise aboard RCIs Freedom of the Seas

The cruise sails from Fort Lauderdale October 28, 2007 Deaf guests will be provided with sign language interpreters and specialized room kits that include flashing lights to alert them when someone is at the staeroom door and 'shake awake sub-pillow alarms. TV's throughout the ship will have close captioning and various interactive capabilities. Guests can use their cabin TV's to buy shore excursion tickets, view accounts or order room service on board. And lots more.

Contact "Passages Deaf Travel, a Virginia based specialist in travel for deaf groups or drop us a note to: Editor - Deaf cruise xlibri@cyberus.ca

Did you know that Celebrity Cruises is moving Mercury to Vancouver as their home port for Alaska Cruises The 1870 passenger Mercury is switching its summer base from Seattle to Vancouver between May 4th and Sept 14th, 2007. (courtesy Tin Thomas, Editor Cruise & Luxury Travel - Travelweek.

Tour operators and cruise lines please send press releases to Editor LiquidHorizons, xlibri@cyberus.ca or mail direct to 24 Watts Street, Ottawa, On.K2J 4V5 Canada.

Readers are invited to e-mail us with any special announcements and news tit bits for Free publishing in this column. Remeber- you read it here first.

For additional information call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Carnival Cruise Lines is a proud member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.

Important Message

LiquidHorizons print cruise Newsletter now better than ever!

Subscribe Now to LiquidHorizons Print Cruise Newsletter

Named "BEST CRUISE NEWSLETTER" by cruise enthusiasts. Get your subscription today, and/or order a gift subscription for a friend.

The ideal gift for anyone who loves to cruise especially retired parents and grand parents. Many of our subscribers spend their winters in Florida where most cruise ships depart from making it easier and less expensive to cruise as they are already close to a cruise ship port.

SENIORS DID YOU KNOW CRUISING IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN STAYING AT A 'HOME'?!!

Did you know that cruising is less expensive than living in a Seniors Residence? It is also true that you are treated like a King and Queen on board ships. Sixteen meals if you can mange it. Breakfast in bed everyday, served with a smile. When the Television breaks down all you have to do is pick up the Phone and someone will come to fix it with a smile and an appology for the inconvenience.No charge. No plumbers to pay either, if there is a problem in the bathroom. No electrical problems or charges if there should be a lighting problem. You do not even have to go to the post office to mail a letter. The Reception Desk will do it all for you If you like entertainment just go to one of the lounges or Theatre for a show or the latest movie. Like to have a capuccino or Latte between meals or even a Royal English Tea Its all there just for you included in the price of your cruise. Soft music by a string trio included - no charge.Not to mention travel.

If you love to travel you can pick a cruise to any part of the world you would like to see and visit.All the arrangements are done for you. Like to read the library is just a few Staterooms away and if you are embracing technology as most seniors now do, go to the internet cafe. If you are not computer literate yet, help is available to bring you up to speed before the end of your voyage.

Like to go to the Gym? The best and state of the art equipment with a King,s or Queen,s view is yours for the taking. Swimming whenever you wish. Everything including clean towels ready whenever you need it.

If you are a movie buff or just someone who likes to watch TV you have the latest in your cabin and at the Reception desk are hundred's of current Video and DVD's to choose from. All kinds of live music all day and night. Dancing, whenever I feel like it.

Should you need any medical attention all you need to do is check in at the state of the art hospital complete with doctor and nurses. Should an emmergency arise that can not be handled on board a helicopter can be summoned to take you to the nearest hospital for immediate attention.

And all this is FREE as it is included in your cruise fee. As anywhere else you naturally have to supply your own insurance but even that can be negotiated at the start of your journey.

I know of a lady who spends all her mature life on board ships for the reasons given above. But that is not all. She pays less than half the price her sister pays where she has to pay extra for all the perks we described above.

Before you decide to take my advice contact the Cruise Line of your choice and tell them that you are inrested in in staying on board for a series of cruises and you would like to negotiate a reduced fee based on say ten ot twenty cruises in a row. These back to back cruises in itself will get you a reduced rate plus special staus as a frequent cruiser. Then when you would like to go to a different part of the world take another series of cruises.

An equivalent standard Seniors Residence will cost you nything from $100 to $300.00 per day and you have to look after most of the things discussed above on your own. The meals alone on board ship is worth about $50.00 per day. The person I spoke with on board one cruise have been cruising in this way for more that three years and she paid about $50 per day. What a saving over staying on land at exorbitant prices with, in most cases, mediocre service and conditions. No wonder she was looking like a sixty-year old healthy traveler at her mid-nineties.

"The bunus for me", she told me, "is that I meet new and exciting people everyday. I am not closed up in my room with the same dozen or so people complaining about their misfortune.I get around and see the world without having tosuffer the passing through impossible airports at my age."

The above story and many other interesting tid-bits come to your mailbox every second month if you subscribe to LiquidHorizons Cruise(print) Newsletter

Send e-mail today for your FREE sample copy.

Annual Subscription Rates
Canada $37.00 pa. (Six Issues)
USA $54.00 pa. (Six Issues)
International $72.00 pa.

Postage paid. Six Issues per year.

Newsletter published in Canada by C. Stoltz Associates24, Watts Street, Ottawa, On Canada K2J 4V5

E-mail Subscriptions: to: xlibri@cyberus.ca

Subscribe online on this website. Click on Subscription for immediate access.

NEW! NEW! NEW!

Nature Art Designs (print)Newsletter Read about special Award first Canadian winner ever.

We publish a Nature Art Designs Newsletter. on Pressed Flowers. See http://natureart.freeservers.com for rates and how you can receive this exceptional Newsletter for the person interested in real pressed flower arrangements, pictures, Bookmarks and cards. FREE SAMPLE COPY AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

March 6, 2008