Grad Trip - Egypt 2006

I'm finally back for those who didn't know. It's amazing how 18 days have passed and I've done so many things that the first day seemed to be so distant. I hesitated to blog about it cos I don't think I rem everything and to be honest, I'm feeling really lazy. So instead of giving all the details, I'll just recount some highlights:

• seeing "The Sail" in Dubai (though it wasn't as impressive as I expected)
• Seeing the pyramids (not as impressive as in postcards or documentaries), remples and other historical sites (e.g. Cairo Museum - King Tut's tomb is impressive!)
  
• Camping out in the Black Desert (including watching the beautiful sunset & waking up frozen)
• Camping out in the White Desert (seeing all the sand formations and shitting in the desert)
• Playing Cricket in the desert (I feel like picking up the sport! *thank you aussies & kiwis!)
• Swimming in a cold spring (though the floor was super slimy!)
• Swimming among jellyfish in the freezing Red Sea!
• Snorkeling in the Red Sea (a big acheivement considering I was clinging onto the freaking ladder on the ship when I started out...)
• Cheonging at Ministry of Sound @Red Sea
• Surviving 2 days on a Felucca - something like a sailboat - which sailed along the River Nile (waded in the water but did not swim for fear of getting the virus spread by the water snails!)

Wow...that sounds like quite a bit already right? Plus the company...you guys have been wonderful. Thanks for being patient & understanding especially when I was grumpy or being difficult. Must say that I enjoyed myself. If there is one thing I must say about Egypt, it's that it is a land of extremes. The weather - can be super hot & then super cold (especially in the desert); the people - some are nice but there are many a**holes who pissed the hell out of me cos they cheated us, harrassed us, keep asking us for baktish (spelling?) which is basically tips. It was so bad that I actually fantasized about tripping this kid who was like a freaking leech. The flies is another thing I will not miss about Egypt - wah lau eh...they fly all over u lor! I guess the best part of Egypt I loved is Hurghada which is the most 'touristy' city and also the cleanest I guess. The memories of the Red Sea & MOS served to make it the best city in my opinion. The historical sites didn't hold much interest after the first few, although our aspiring Archaelogist, Mr KTTH was excited with every "tem-bull" as the guides pronounce "temple". Overall, I must say that this holiday is one that I will always rem. It has pushed me so that I know I can survive a little rough & tough. The company made it great. Egypt is a great country, though many things did irk me (mostly the group of *ucked up ppl). I have struck Egypt off as a country I have visited and I doubt I will be back. But thank you all the nice ppl, places, nan, kes, char, jacy & ben for a memorable holiday :) will be starting work in July. Before that, there's Concamp & FOC to look forward to. Here's to the last month of freedom. God bless one and all.