Luxor - the Temple and the Lost Luggage of Doom

The music being played on the hotel roof terrace right now has at least changed from cheesy Egyptian film score (think The Mummy chase scenes) to a bit of tuneful Arab rock.  As it is only me here, the hotel team are taking advantage of some 'younger' music being played and some English practice where I now know about their various children, how old they are and how well they are doing at school. The heat is searing and I am grateful for the respite up here.  The hotel we are in overlooks Luxor temple and the Nile so the views are pretty good too. Mat has gone to get an authentic Egyptian shave so here's hoping he doesn't come back looking like Imhotep...

As it is so hot, we visited Luxor temple early this morning when it was much cooler and where it was pretty much to ourselves apart from a handful of other tourists and the usual tour guide hawkers. Just as well really as Mat and I were wearing yesterday's clothes due to our luggage going astray and we didn't want to stink the place out!  This was preceded yesterday by a little embarrassment on my part at Cairo airport during security check prior to boarding our Luxor flight. 

A strange object appearing on the x-ray screen turned out to be my mini screwdriver for tightening the screws on my glasses. It had burrowed its way into the lining of my bag. I had no idea it was in there and previous security checks hadn't picked it up. Security risk averted the guards confiscated it but obviously after they made me empty my bag in front of everyone passing through security check. The whole flight now knows the intimate contents of my handbag.  

We spent yesterday wandering around Luxor where compared to laid back Dahab, the heat, noise, traffic and volume of people was like a big punch in the face. The people are very friendly although the constant in your face touting for business from the caleche drivers to restaurant folk is very wearing. Post revolution, business is tough but surely a no is a no "my friend". Fortunately, for food last night we stumbled upon a local shawerma and falafel place where Mat gorged himself silly. Both were teeming with locals and with no English signage, the international language of pointing was put to good use!

The constant leching from some of the men is also getting a little annoying. I have tried not to write about it on here as most Egyptian men are respectful of women but when you get your boob surreptitiously groped yet again, it really does start to get on your nerves. And no, I wasn't dressed provocatively although I cannot believe I am having to write this. Apparently, Luxor is the sex tourism capital in Egypt where lots of WOMEN go here to pick up Egyptian men. Seriously ladies, self-respect goes a long way.

Lecture over. Off to check on our luggage and to prepare for our Karnak trip later.

Dahab - Final Daze

There's nothing quite like an exercise room full of people to announce that you had a tumour on your spine but there you go, that's what happened in yesterday's yoga class. As I was new to this particular class the yoga teacher decided to put me at the front and quite rightly go through a health check with me. I mentioned my dodgy back saying that I had a weak upper back but she just kept asking and asking as to the nature of my problem so I felt I had no option but to say my medical history in one sentence to her - "I had a tumour on my spine but now its gone due to radiotherapy". That shut her up as well as the rest of the room but there's nothing like a life threatening illness to be a conversation stopper, an international one at that! I could have also mentioned all the chemo I went through as well as the stem cell transplant but I thought this was a little too much over-sharing.

The class itself was OK. It was all a bit 'ohm' for me and being at one with nature and the power of breathing which I thought was quite funny given the instructor had a husky smoker's voice and I could smell the tobacco smell off her as she made sure I was in the right position...

Dahab itself has definitely got a lot busier the last couple of days. There are more people around the pool, in town and the bars and restaurants seem to have more trade. Speedo action has also intensified thanks to our European counterparts. I also managed to fit in some snorkelling yesterday and hope to do some more later. The coral and fish life is ok here but in my opinion not a patch on Bunaken in Indonesia but what do I know? I judge everything by its colour!

Anyway, just waiting for Mat to get back from his diving so we can have some lunch then on to Luxor tomorrow morning. I'm off to have a nosey over on the beach next door. There's lots of beautiful people milling about and filming. Looks like an advert.

Dahab Daze - Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick

I'm ashamed to say that no matter how hard I try I always end up late. I'm one of those people with the best intentions but inevitably time runs away from me. Not all the time I hasten to add as I'm not THAT bad but it does happen. However, being in Egypt these last 3 days has opened my eyes to a different kind of late. It may just be Dahab but everything just seems all a bit slow. It's possibly the searing heat, who after all wants to move that fast in this weather but there doesn't seem to be a rush for anything.  Possibly an unfair observation but one that definitely exists. 

Take our dinner last night where to cut a long story extremely short, Mat and I ended up in a Bedouin restaurant. He seemed like a nice chap and was grateful for us visiting his establishment. He also seemed a little shocked to see us. So shocked it took nearly 2 hours for us to get our dinner from first order to plates on table. We could have left but we were caught in that vortex of we-can't-leave-now-otherwise-it-would-be-rude-to-do-so situation so we stuck it out.  It was OK but let's just say, I'm lookng forward to our Thai meal tonight!  I had falafel earlier and more hummus and tahini consumed than a person should so Thai tonight seems a good option. And oh look, we're running a little late!

Dahab Daze

16.10 local time

It's literally been years since I became acquainted with the downward dog but this morning I got a chance to say hello to it at the 'Wellness Centre' in the hotel. Not only was it hard work (but fun) I got to do it on a one-to-one basis with the instructor. Dahab and its tourism is so quiet at the moment, I was the only client for this morning's body pump and yoga masterclass. Christ on a bike, the instructor nearly killed me! I felt like a celebrity with my own personal trainer but without the glamour. Or the finesse. I think I was about as graceful as a piglet on ice skates but she said I did really well. I think she was being kind.

Egypt and specifically Dahab so far has been very relaxing. There's only so much movement a person can do during the day in 39 degree heat. It is really hot here. Yes, yes, I know we are practically in the desert but indulge me my tabloid, "phew what a scorcher" moment.

While Mat is busy doing his diving thing and nitrox course I have been entertaining myself around town. Given the lack of tourist numbers, the many businesses that throng Dahab's promenade are crying out for trade. It's actually quite sad to see how not very busy people are. Given all the troubles in this part of the world and FCO warnings, most people are obviously choosing not to visit. We ourselves are sticking to main tourist areas rather than venturing out to remoter desert parts even though we want to because of the troubles.What a crying shame. Not for us but the majority of Egyptians who I'm sure just want to get on with earning a living and just getting on with their day to day lives.

Also, aside from Japanese and Chinese, some Egyptians seem to think I'm Korean - another nationality to add to the list! Everyone we have met so far has been very kind and hospitable. Have not met many Brits apart from my yoga instructor from earlier today but there are loads of Germans, Dutch and Eastern European folk here. Many frying in the sun - sunscreen people, use sunscreen!  So many look like suckling pigs roasting it's hideous.

Anyway, my lymphatic system needs draining. Gotta go. Ciao for now!

Helicopter Ride Over London

I totally lucked out. First with Amy and Frazer's fantastic birthday present of a helicopter ride over London and secondly, with the bright blazing sunshine of yesterday (Saturday) when it took place.

I had been meaning to redeem the gift for a while - received last year for my 40th. However, a combination of rubbish weather, missile launchers and no fly zone over London during the Olympics kinda prevented me from doing it sooner.

The photos below speak for themselves. It was an amazing experience!

There was an elderly lady on the same trip. She must have been at least in her 70s and seemed a little scared and nervous as I was. It didn't help we had to fly a little higher up due to air traffic congestion to let a plane fly underneath us but what's a plane between friends?! As I was sat at the front I wasn't able to see her reaction but I'm pretty sure she was loving every second of it as much as I was.

I'm glad I didn't have to wait till I was in my 70s to experience this. Life really is too short.

Thank you so much Amy and Frazer for your wonderful gift. It certainly made me glad to be alive.

Waiting to board

My helicopter

Beautiful English countryside

Approaching London

Room with a view - Canary Wharf and Docklands

London 2012

Battersea Power Station

South London & Craven Cottage (Fulham FC stadium)

Posh golf course (no idea which one)

Me and elderly lady passenger

Somewhere down there is my house - true fact!

The very serious pilot full of concentration

Box Hill, Surrey

Dorking, Surrey

Awakenings ...

The extract below is taken from "Rip Van Winkle" - a short story written by Washington Irving published in 1819

"By degrees, Rip’s awe and apprehension subsided. He even ventured, when no eye was fixed upon him, to taste the beverage, which he found had much of the flavor of excellent Hollands. He was naturally a thirsty soul, and was soon tempted to repeat the draught. One taste provoked another, and he reiterated his visits to the flagon so often, that at length his senses were overpowered, his eyes swam in his head, his head gradually declined, and he fell into a deep sleep.

On awaking, he found himself on the green knoll from whence he had first seen the old man of the glen. He rubbed his eyes—it was a bright sunny morning. The birds were hopping and twittering among the bushes, and the eagle was wheeling aloft and breasting the pure mountain breeze. “Surely,” thought Rip, “I have not slept here all night.” He recalled the occurrences before he fell asleep. The strange man with a keg of liquor—the mountain ravine—the wild retreat among the rocks—the woe-begone party at ninepins—the flagon—“Oh! that flagon! that wicked flagon!” thought Rip—“what excuse shall I make to Dame Van Winkle?”


Unlike Rip Van Winkle, I didn't get pissed on a "wicked flagon of liquor" resulting in the deathly slumber of this blog. Not on this occasion anyway. I was either distracted, lazy or couldn't be arsed. Well, just like Rip Van Winkle, it's woken up. And hoping not to slumber for so long.

Wired, ready and posting.

London Olympics 2012 - Let the Games begin!

Beautiful Tower Bridge by night - Olympics ready

I don’t think I can love London any more right now. The friendly chatter with random strangers, police men and women happy to talk about their day, so many overseas visitors creating a cacophony of accents, the incessant clicking noise of cameras taking photos, the banter, the camaraderie, the sense of community.

And all because of what is essentially a giant sports day taking place.

The London 2012 Olympic Games is upon us and I'm beyond excited. There, I've said it. In fact I've been saying it for a while to the point of embarrassment. And yes I understand the arguments about the expense, the waste, how the money spent would have been more useful on things such as medical research, schools etc. I probably agree with most of these! But for the opportunity of a once in a lifetime, never to happen again experience, I say do it anyway. Lob the flame throwers at me now!

I’ve always loved the Olympic Games. It reminds me of my childhood glued to the TV cheering on random sports folk ranging from Daley Thomson, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis (remember him cracking his head on the diving board?!), Seb before he became a Lord Coe, Michael Phelps, Fatima Whitbread, Sean Kerly....

The man wearing the jet pack propeller at the LA Games, Kylie in Sydney, the traffic chaos in Atlanta, the heat in Athens, the Americans not turning up in Moscow...

I'll stop now. I'm beginning to sound like a geek. I know that I will never experience anything like this in my lifetime. To be able to see hard work, dedication, focus and positivity in sporting glory. The purpose of having go - making the effort and trying.  Cheesier than gorgonzola, a walking cliché, a marketer's dream. I fall for the hype and I'm a sentimental fool but I don't care.  I'm off to watch the opening ceremony. I wonder who's lighting the cauldron?

 

Go Team GB and let the Games begin!

photo by shewithcapitalV

North Wales Trip - June 2012

Been meaning to post these pics on here for awhile but as usual, life got in the way. I wouldn't mind but distractions haven't been that exciting in fact, they have been downright crap up until recently. I am trying to get my head back on track and doing nice things such as this certainly helps. Blogging a go go resumes...!!


What a great Jubilee week Mat and I had. Can't believe it was only a month ago. I had never been to north Wales and I was looking forward to this trip very much.  

It was great and we had a fantastic time - I even got to climb my first 'mountain' - Tryfan Bach. It was a bit hairy and I got a little tearful halfway up but I got there in the end. Go me!! I fell in love with the National Slate Museum (seriously, you HAVE to go!) and got to ride on a steam train for the first time. We went for amazing walks in beautiful scenery, fell in love with Bodnant Garden, ate lovely food and got to see some good castles. And we stayed in the most wonderful B&B, The Tal Y Bont Country House where the hospitality we received was superlative. The only negative was the weather as it did rain an awful lot but this was never going to be a suntan holiday so this wasn't an issue. Apart from our walk through Ceunant Cynfal Nature Reserve where we got a little lost at the end and had to take a detour amongst some sheep in an open field. We had no shelter from the rain and got absolutely soaked!

My humour may have failed me then but looking back at these photos just reminded me what a great time we had overall.


Rwy'n caru Cymru.  Apparently this means 'I love Wales' in Welsh so I apologise now if it isn't!

Note: ALL photos belong to she with a capital V

A Diamond Duo with Jubilee Jo

I'm still astounded by it and so I feel compelled to share. Myself and 'Jubilee Jo' came first in a Royal Quiz today. By a half point. Answering questions such as 'In which month was the Queen born?' and 'When was the Queen's wedding day?' Ho hum. Those history lessons came in handy.


God save the Queen and all that. And all who sail in her. And the extra holidays we get rah rah rah. I'll leave my republican rant for another time. I already gave away my prize of a souvenir Diamond Jubilee mug (apparently this would be more appreciated in Sri Lanka) but obviously kept my Jubilee shortbread. It is shortbread. And that's tasty.


Now that the sun has decided to come and play and with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations imminent, the nation seems to have gone a bit mental. It's like the sun has addled people's thinking. There is union flag bunting everywhere. 


We got treated to a Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea earlier which although in a nice venue had to be the most disappointing 'afternoon tea' I have eaten. It was all a bit trendy and open sandwiches for my liking. There was even no cucumber sandwiches! No cake stand either. And the scones the size of a 50 pence piece. All show and no substance. Hence my concentration on the Royal Quiz! I didn't want to go through all that for nothing!


I've still got the Derby to go through. Trust me to be living in Surrey when all this is going on. Roll on next week when I can escape from all this.

Two years on - glad I'm still here

Still eating cake. This time, it's a lime & coconut one

Someone told me this week that they were really glad I was still here. I really wanted to respond with that's nice, but what do you mean? Glad that I'm still in the room? Glad that I haven't left yet? Glad for my sparkling company? Or glad that I'm not dead yet?! I'm pretty sure they would have thought I was being a bit awkward and weird had I said any of this but you know, it would have been a laugh wouldn't it?!

Well, I am really glad that I'm still here. As in 2 years to the day of my cancer diagnosis (19th May) I'm still in remission, I'm still alive and I'm still here reciting the mantra living, laughing, loving.  A life limiting disease does this to you, sadly. Dates become significant because you're really not sure if you'll see it again next year or the year after that. So I celebrate them. My whole life changed two years ago today and although sometimes I do feel sad about it, I choose to celebrate instead. Life really is too short.

This year's celebration started off with a lime and coconut cake. Poor Mat. I had been bitching about not receiving cake and lo and behold there it was winking at me in all its icing glory when I descended downstairs. He had organised it all knowing I would want some form of cake to celebrate. He knows me too well! Then it was off to pretty Chiddingfold, specifically the Swann Inn where a tasty lunch was had. Then to walk it all off, a meander around Winkworth Arboretum where the azalea walk was looking particularly colourful. I love Winkworth, it's just so Surrey.

Spot the weed

Nice bit of wood. Fnar.

I really didn't fancy being anywhere near London today what with the place overrun with triple C's - Chelsea, Champions League and ..... those cheering too loudly (ahem, cough). I just wanted a quiet, chilled day and it was nice to have. The last week or so have been pretty full on what with various things  happening with work, me being ill with some form of norovirus last weekend and various social functions to attend (the Brain Exhibition, Babel at Caledonian Park and Amber and Gareth's wedding). It's a hard life...

Anyway, I have no idea who Grace Hansen is but apparently she said; "Don't be afraid your life will end, Be afraid that it will never begin".  Clearly a wise woman.

I'm over and out. For now.

Still trying to be fragrant

all photos belong to shewithacapitalV

Fontainebleau - Easter 2012

A lot happened but I think below pretty much sums up the long Easter weekend:

F = footwork...it's all about the footwork.

O = odour...none of the boys smelt. At all. Especially after the camping. Honest. I was in the nice B&B gite so how could I have noticed...

N = nature... "fcuk you nature!" You had to be there.

T = top-outs...getting to the top of a scary-ass rock.

A = aching arms...'pumpy'. 

I = Isatis...razor blade crimps and getting one over a French man. Mat told me to put this.

N = nice...chateaux, scenery and the general French joie de vivre. 

E = Elephant...they have to have a trunk, not just big ears. Again, you had to be there.

B = baguettes...A French kitten dies every time you fold one. Apparently.

L = looking good...when done well, it's nice to spectate a beautiful climbing man move.

E = entente cordiale...between Brits, Brazilians, French, Canadians, Russians, Colombians, Americans...

A = another... French dick driver. No more said.

U = un... peu difficile. The level of rock I did actually climb. Usually for children. Capable ones at that!


I would definitely go again as it is such a beautiful part of France. Still not entirely convinced about bouldering though. I like to be attached to a rope. 


Anyway, the photos below are a smidgeon of the 600 (!!??!!) taken. The boys got trigger happy with the fast sport mode on the camera and so I had to edit. Enjoy!

All photos belong to shewithacapitalV